progeo EXELLE User Manual page 7

Starting to use your wheelchair
2.2
Finding the centre of gravity - the point at which the
wheelchair will tip back
Your ability to control and safely tip the wheelchair depends mainly
on your seating position and the location of the centre of gravity in
respect to the rear wheels.
The EXELLE model allows you to adjust its setting (see chapter
6.4 "Rear wheel adjustment")
Remember that every adjustment of the seat affects the
wheelchair's stability and could therefore increase the
possibility of overbalancing.
The correct positioning of the seat depends on many
factors, among them: the occupant's weight, type of
disability and ability to manoeuvre the wheelchair.
The manufacturer will supply the wheelchair with the
rear wheels positioned according to instructions given on
the original order form.
Finding the point at which the chair will safely tip
back requires the presence of an attendant who
must be standing behind the wheelchair ready to
prevent it from overbalancing.
In order to find the point at which the chair will tip back easily
and consequently to find the range within which it is safe to
manoeuvre it, proceed in the following manner (see fig. 3):
You should be seated in your chair. Hold the hand rims on
the rear wheels firmly.
Then, move the hand rims slightly backwards and while
moving your weight backwards, push the hand rims forward
with a jerk and the front of the chair will rise.
At this point, by moving your body gently backwards and
forwards while moving the rear wheel backwards and
forwards using the hand rims, it will be possible to find the
centre of gravity and the point at which the chair will safely
be controlled.
IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE WHEELCHAIR FROM
OVERBALANCING DURING NORMAL USE WE
RECOMMEND MOUNTING ANTI TIPPER WHEELS
WHICH ARE SUPPLIED AS AN ACCESSORY TO
THIS MODEL. (see chapter 7.5 "Anti-tip wheels").
2.3 Dealing with obstacles: stairs and steps
While getting over obstacles such as stairs and steps,
approach the obstacle at a moderate speed
Never attempt to go over steps or other obstacles
that are over 20cm (6 inches) height.
Fig.3
EXELLE 7