title: Wheelchair wheels for use on sand.
abstract: Mobility over sand and other rough surfaces can be a major problem for people in wheelchairs. From tests with a simple prototype, model tests and theoretical calculations the following observations were made for an attendant propelled chair. The rolling resistance of a wheelchair on sand may be improved by pulling, rather than pushing the chair. The use of a ball wheel at the front improves the rolling resistance, though standard large diameter rear wheels give acceptable performance. From these observations a prototype device for fitment to a standard wheelchair has been designed.
authors.affiliation: Bath Institute of Medical Engineering, Wolfson Centre, Royal United Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hillman
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014910:Wheelchairs
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide