Wheelchair loading aid

A wheelchair loading aid or system is suitable for physically handicapped or weaker drivers or passengers who rely on a wheelchair or a mobile walking aid (e.g. rollator). This is usually a device that enables the user or an accompanying person to load and unload the wheelchair or walking aid in the vehicle without great effort.

Executions

Depending on the degree of restriction, the type of wheelchair and the vehicle, the wheelchair can be loaded in the folded or unfolded state without being disassembled.

Mobile wheelchair loading aid

Wheelchair loading device in the form of an attachable roller that is pushed onto the handles of the folded wheelchair. In the first step, the user brings the wheelchair into position on the trunk / load space, folds it up and places the mobile wheelchair loading aid on the handles. In the second step, the user tilts the wheelchair so that it rests with the attached castor on the floor of the trunk / cargo space. In the third step, the user pushes the wheelchair on the castor into the desired position in the trunk / cargo area. The wheelchair is free from the trunk and should be secured separately. The self-driving user must be able to cover the distance between the driver's seat and the trunk / load compartment independently. This mobile wheelchair loading aid with castors assumes that the user is sufficiently mobile and strong. Raising the wheelchair and pushing it into the trunk is usually only possible for users of lightweight, foldable wheelchairs up to 20 kg.

Cable boom lifting systems

Wheelchair loading devices in the form of a cantilever arm with a hand-operated or electric cable hoist system (“wheelchair crane”) are primarily available for the trunk or the rear cargo area. The folded or rigid wheelchair is hung on the hook, lifted with the device, swiveled into the trunk / cargo space and stored there. The lifting capacity can range from 40 kg to approx. 180 kg. The wheelchair is free in the trunk and should be secured separately. The self-driving user must be able to cover the distance between the driver's seat and the trunk / load compartment independently.

Lift arm systems

Wheelchair loading in the trunk of a limousine

Wheelchair loading devices with an electrically or hydraulically operated vertically movable lifting arm are mainly available for the trunk or the rear cargo area. The loading process with this lifting arm system is usually fully automatic. The self-driving user must, however, be able to cover the distance between the driver's seat and the trunk / load compartment independently. Depending on the vehicle type (sedan, station wagon, van, transporter) there are different variants:

Load lying down, folded

The wheelchair is folded, moved sideways to the loading aid, attached to the receiving device, lifted up and loaded in a narrow position. Here, the area of the trunk is occupied according to the dimensions of the wheelchair. The required height is based on the height of the wheelchair loading aid plus the width of the wheelchair when folded (folded size). Depending on the vehicle model, the loaded wheelchair can find space under the trunk cover so that the wheelchair is not visible from the outside.

Standing loading, folded

The wheelchair is folded, the backrest is brought up to the loading aid, attached to the receiving device, lifted up and loaded narrowly upright. Since the wheelchair is loaded using the backrest, the height of the wheelchair after loading corresponds to the length in the vehicle. The width is determined by the width of the wheelchair when folded (folded size). This variant offers the possibility, especially in vans and higher vehicles, that approx. 2/3 of the trunk can still be used, e.g. B. for luggage, shopping or pets.

Standing loading, unfolded

The wheelchair is not folded, the backrest is driven up to the loading aid, attached to the receiving device, lifted and loaded rigidly upright. This option can be used with rigid frame wheelchairs. The space required in the cargo area corresponds to the wheelchair dimensions.

Loading behind the driver's seat

Wheelchair at hand: loading aid plus pivoting door

With a special system, a folded wheelchair can be hooked into a holding device on the driver's seat of the car and then automatically pulled into behind the driver's seat. This loading aid is particularly suitable for people who have little or no residual walking ability, e.g. B. by paraplegia or severe muscle weakness. In the vehicle, the door behind the driver's seat is converted into a pneumatic pivoting door (sliding door), which opens automatically before the loading process. The folded wheelchair is approached to the rear of the loading aid at an acute angle (approx. 35 °) so that it is easy to grip. Depending on the provider, manual or automatic fixation can be used to secure the wheelchair. The wheelchair is then picked up at the push of a button and transported behind the driver's seat. The door closes automatically. Most 5-door cars with a row of rear seats have three seats: driver, front passenger and a rear seat behind the front passenger. With individual vehicles, it is possible to obtain an additional rear seat via a swivel module.

Automatic loading device for the trunk

With a special system, a folded wheelchair can be hooked into a holding device on the driver's seat of the car and then automatically transported from the driver's seat to the trunk and loaded there with a telescopic arm. The trunk or loading space flap is also automatically closed or opened. The wheelchair is free in the trunk and is not separately secured.

Automatic loading device with roof container

With a special system, a folded wheelchair can be hooked into a holding device on the driver's seat or the passenger seat of the car and then automatically transported with a telescopic arm into a container mounted on the vehicle roof and loaded there. Its flap is also automatically closed or opened. Wheelchairs with a maximum weight of up to approx. 20 kg can be loaded in this way. Based on the dimensions of the roof container, this loading aid is more suitable for station wagons. The interior of the vehicle remains untouched, but the drive of the loading aid and the wheelchair are exposed to the corresponding seasonal temperature fluctuations.

Access ramps

One to multi-part drive-on ramps or wheelchair ramps made of steel or aluminum are mainly used for loading with the help of an accompanying person who pushes the wheelchair into the vehicle and then folds up the ramps. With deep vehicles or flat ramps, it is possible to push the wheelchair including the wheelchair user into the vehicle. It is important that there is a distance of approx. 10 cm between the crown and the vehicle roof. Such ramps can be mounted on the vehicle so that they can be folded down or deployed from below. Rails are a special form of access ramp. These can be taken loosely to hang up and can be used individually in other situations, e.g. B. to bridge paragraphs or a few steps.

Lifting platforms

Loading aid for heavy or rigid wheelchairs

One to multi-part access ramps or wheelchair ramps made of steel or aluminum are primarily used for loading with the help of an accompanying person who pushes the wheelchair into the vehicle and then folds up the ramps. With deep vehicles or flat ramps, it is possible to push the wheelchair including the wheelchair user into the vehicle. It is important that there is a distance of approx. 10 cm between the crown and the vehicle roof. Such ramps can be mounted on the vehicle so that they can be folded down or deployed from below. Rails are a special form of access ramp. These can be taken loosely to hang up and can be used individually in other situations, e.g. B. to bridge paragraphs or a few steps.