OFF CARR ALHENA Instruction Manual

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INSTRUCTION MANUAL

ALHENA

OFF CARR S.r.l. Via Dell’Artigianato II, 29 35010 Villa del Conte (PD) Italy

Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

[e-mail] - www.offcarr.com

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INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 4

1.1 ALHENA DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................. 4

1.2 FEATURES ALHENA .................................................................................................. 5

2. PREPARATION FOR USE ............................................................................ 6

2.1 OPENING/FOLDING OF THE ALHENA WHEELCHAIR ........................................................ 6

2.2 REAR WHEELS ASSEMBLY AND RELEASE ....................................................................... 7

2.3 PNEUMATIC PRESSURE CHECK ...................................................................................... 7

2.4 FOOTREST POSITIONING ............................................................................................... 7

2.5 CHECKING THE BRAKES ............................................................................................... 8

2.6 CHECKING THE ACCESSORIES ....................................................................................... 9

3. SETTING UP ALHENA ............................................................................... 10

3.1 SELECTION OF THE REAR HEIGHT SEAT AND GRAVITY CENTER. ................................... 10

3.2 SETTING THE FRONT HEIGHT OF THE SEAT................................................................... 11

3.3 SETTING THE PERPENDICULARITY OF THE FRONT FORK SUPPORT PLATE. ...................... 11

3.4 CLOTH-GUARDS SETUP............................................................................................... 12

3.5 SETTING AND MAINTENANCE OF BRAKES .................................................................... 12

3.6 ADJUSTMENT OF THE BACKREST TENSION................................................................... 13

3.7 BACKREST HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT ................................................................................ 13

3.8 HIGTH ADJUSTABLE PUSHING-HANDLE ....................................................................... 13

3.9 DISTANCE FROM FOOTPLATE TO SEAT ADJUSTMENT. ................................................... 13

3.10 FOOTPLATE INCLINATION ADJUSTMENT ...................................................................... 14

3.11 WHEEL CAMBER ADJUSTMENT ................................................................................... 15

4. ARMREST ..................................................................................................... 16

4.1 SPORT TIP UP AND DETACHABLE ARMREST ................................................................. 16

4.2 “L” TYPE ARMREST .................................................................................................... 16

5. ANTI-TIP DEVICE...................................................................................... 18

5.1 USE OF THE REVOLVING ANTI-TIP DEVICE ................................................................... 18

5.2 ADJUSTMENT OF THE ANTI-TIP DEVICE ....................................................................... 19

5.2.1 Adjustment through the rotation of the support plate ... 19

5.2.2 End terminal adjustment ............................................... 19

6. UMBALANCING SYSTEM ......................................................................... 20

7. EXTENDED WHEEL PLATE ..................................................................... 20

8. STRETCHED BAR ....................................................................................... 20

9. USE OF THE WHEELCHAIR .................................................................... 20

10. KEY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO LIMIT THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MISUSE OF THE

WHEELCHAIR ............................................................................................. 22

11. MAINTENANCE, INSPECTIONS AND CONTROLS ............................. 23

12. TECHNICAL SERVICE .............................................................................. 24

13. GUARANTEE TERMS ................................................................................ 25

14. PACKAGING, SHIPPING AND DELIVERY ........................................... 26

15. MATERIALS DIFFERENTIATION .......................................................... 27

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Thanks for choosing an OFF CARR wheelchair.

From more than 25 years OFF CARR listens and interprets customer’s needs by inventing highly
innovative and technologic solutions, always aimed at reducing daily mobility problems, with special
attention to product style and at improving quality of life for all customers.

OFF CARR has a certified system for quality management following the UNI EN ISO 9001:2008
regulation and a productive system following the UNI EN ISO 13485:2004 regulation. These
certifications offer prestige to the company and find confirmation in the quality of products and in
customer satisfaction.

OFF CARR also meet the 93/42/CEE directives, upgraded with the 2007/47/CE directive.

Before using or making adjustments on this device, carefully read what reported on this
manual.
In case of need, please contact an authorized dealer the manufacturer at the following
address

OFF CARR s.r.l.

Via dell’Artigianato II, 29

35010 Villa del Conte (Padova) Italy

Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail] http://www.offcarr.com

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1. Introduction

The ultra light-weight wheelchair model ALHENA (folding frame), is non-intrusive medical devices, specifically designed to
reduce and counterbalance a physical handicap.
These wheelchairs are manually pushed on the back wheels, have many setups and a wide range of accessories to better meet
any customer need. Only qualified operators must prepare the device’s use and eventually.

The use of the wheelchairs or of parts of them is forbidden for different uses than the ones written on this manual.

1.1 ALHENA Description

The wheelchair AHENA is made with a foldable frame and a titanium crossbar. Other details are made with composite
materials, as carbon fibre, aluminum or steel alloys. Various frame colours are available and can be combined with various
coloured anodizing in the accessories and details set. The seat upholstery (3) and of the backrest (5) are, usually made in black

nylon cloth. The backrest can be also made with breathable material to increase the customer’s comfort. The backrest’s

upholstery is easily removable to make the cleaning and washing operations easier and its straightening is adjustable by acting
on the velstraps under the upholstery.
A comfortable compartment with closing zip can be added in the lower part of the backrest and another can be placed frontally
under the seat. The backrest is adjustable in height by acting on the frame-fixing screws.

The rear wheels (RW) are equipped with the quick releasing axle. The rear wheel support (6) allows an easier adjustment of
the rear wheel position, and finds the most comfortable setup for the user. On demand, for special needs, the wheelchair can be
equipped with the extended wheelplate for safer setup.

The front forks (9) have adjustable inclination and can lodge various wheel diameters (FC) at various height, to better answer
the setup and agility needs of users.

The front frame (7) is available with fixed or removable footrests. Considering possible setup restrictions, the footboards (11)
can be single or double and adjustable in height and inclination.

The wheelchair is supplied with carbon fibre sideguards (12) or in alternative made with aluminum or composite polymer as
per choice on the order form

The wheelchair can be configured also with sport armrest tip-up and detachable 22cm high from the seat, or with “L” shaped
armrest tip-up and detachable with selectable high from 22 up to 28 cm.

The brake device (14) standard or scissor model are adjustable to compensate different wheel size and different wheel setup.
The wide and sophisticated range of accessories available, allows to configure in a highly customized Alhena both

aesthetically and functionally.

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1.2 Features ALHENA

Titanium folding frame
Titanium double crossbar
Two angle shaped fron frame
Multiple position for rear wheels
Tilt adjustable front fork
Carbon fiber clothe guards
Armrest foldable and detachable (if selected on the configuration)
Footrest according with the choice during configuration
Maximum load 115 Kg
The order form allow different setup and various combination of accessories.

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2. Preparation for use

The preparation for use of these devices must be performed by qualified personnel both for evaluate the
suitability of the product and to provide the correct instructions to the user.

2.1 Opening/folding of the Alhena wheelchair

OPENING

Apply pressure with the open palm over the sides of the

seat (as shown on the drawing) until the seat will be
perfectly aligned to the frame.

Be careful not to wrap with the fingers the tubes of
the crossbar to avoid being pinched between the
frame and the crossbar.

FOLDING

If the footplate is not automatic, please fold up it to allow

the folding of the wheelchair;

pull up the fabric of the seat with both hands acting as

shown on the drawing.

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2.2 Rear wheels assembly and release

Alhena wheelchair is normally shipped with the rear wheels already assembled while rigid frame wheelchair are shipped with
the rear wheels aside.
If necessary is possible to assembly or release the wheels as following:

• Ensure the brakes are released;

• Insert the shaft into the wheel by holding down the button;

• holding pressed the button of the shaft insert it into the bush on the frame of the wheelchair;

• release the button;

• check the efficiency of the engagement by trying to pull out the wheel without pressing the button and make sure it does n ot

come off.

It is suggested to verify the proper assembly and the efficency of the quick release axle before using the
wheelchair and always after performing releasing and assembly of the rear wheels to the frame.

Test for the right functioning of the quick release axle and proper assembly of the rear wheels

Ensure the brakes are released;
holding pressed the button of the shaft, pull out the

wheel from the hub;

still holding pressed the button of the shaft, insert it

into the hub on the frame of the wheelchair;

check the efficiency of the engagement by trying to

pull out the wheel without pressing the button and
make sure it does not come off.

For safety reasons it is important to repeat this check every time that for transportation reasons or
maintenance, the rear wheels are removed and reassembled to the frame.

2.3 Pneumatic pressure check

A periodical check of the pneumatic pressure may helps to keep the wheelchair efficient and more comfortable.
Verify the tire pressure value according to the value marked on the tyre.
Normally 7.5 BAR is the right value for high pressure rear tyres, and 2.5BAR is the maximum pressure for front wheels.
The above values are indicative as the specific value is always available on every tyre.

The pressure for the model Schwalbe Marathon Plus should always be kept from a minimum of 7 BAR to a
maximum of 9 BAR to prevent damage to the surface of the tyre itselves.

2.4 Footrest positioning

The wheelchair Alhena can be configured, depending on the model, with detachable or not detachable footrest. According with
the limits of configuration, the foot-plate can be single liftable automatically with the closing of the wheelchair, single or
separated manually liftable.

Once the wheelchair is open, rotate down the foot-plate in position ready for use.
If the foot-plate is single, pay attention to engage properly its connection pin to the corrisponding connector on the frame.

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Predellini separati in

profilo di alluminio

Predellino unico in profilo

di alluminio

The automatic footrest, at the opening of the wheelchair, is automatically placed and the foot-plate, in absence of weight. Is
slightly tilted on one side. This condition is absolutely normal to allow the automatic closing. With a light weight on the plate,
this immediately takes a plain position.

In case of frame with removable footrests, the footrests are packed separately.
To insert the footrest:

open the wheelchair;
insert the footpads in their proper rotation housing starting from a position at 90° to the frame (as shown) and rotate it

inwards until the hooking mechanism snaps

To extract the footrest:

Press the hooking lever and rotate the footrest outwards
Remove the footrest from the hinge pin by pulling it upwards

Note: If necessary, you can turn the footrest to the inside of the wheelchair

2.5 Checking the brakes

To check the functioning and the efficiency of the parking brakes act as following:

Activate the brake (Fig. P, S, U);
Check if the wheels are blocked.

Pushing brake “OFF”

position

Pushing brake “ON”

position

Fig.P

Fig.O

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The included brakes, except for

eventually drum brakes, have to
be used only as parking brakes and
not to decrease the speed of the
wheelchair.

To ensure the efficiency of the brakes it
is necessary to maintain the proper tire
pressure and check frequently the wear
of the clamping elements.

Pulling brake “OFF”

position

Pulling brake “ON”

position

Scissor brake “OFF”

position

Scissor brake “ON”

position

2.6 Checking the accessories

Any accessory required at the time of the configuration of the wheelchair is to be shipped separately. If so they should be
properly installed before using the wheelchair.

Fig.R

Fig.S

Fig.T

Fig.U