Wheelchairs have been around for a long time. However, until the 1880s, they didn't resemble what we'd think of as a wheelchair. One of the important features of the modern wheelchair is the ability for the user to operate it to move themselves. This means that the wheels are one of the most significant components of any wheelchair. For instance, prior to the invention of push rims, those using wheelchairs had to rely on someone else to help them move around. Wooden wheels were also used until 1900, when they were replaced by the more familiar wire spoked wheels.
Now, many different kinds of wheelchair wheels are available, depending on the needs of the user. The traditional push wheels are still made, although they come in several styles, and are now much lighter, like the rest of the chair, to aid in efficiency. However, wheelchair wheels can also be found that bear a resemblance to mountain bike wheels, providing greater traction for users.
Sport wheelchairs often have special wheels designed to assist with the specific sport the user plays. For instance, wheelchairs designed for water or other outdoor sports feature large, balloon shaped wheels that provide all terrain access. Tennis chairs offer lightweight wheelchair wheels, with a highly adjustable frame.
Experimental wheelchair wheels also exist. The Mecanum wheel, built to move in any direction, was designed in 1973 by a Swedish engineer. This wheel has a series of rollers attached to it, allowing the wheels to perform sideways movements, which aren't easily possible with many conventional styles. A similar design for wheelchair wheels is the Omni wheel, which features small discs around the edge of the main wheel, perpendicular to the direction of rolling. This allows the wheel to roll with regular force, but slide to the side easily when needed. These wheels are also used in small robots.
On some models, designed to be affordable to people with little money, like those in underdeveloped countries, the wheelchair wheels are actually made from bicycle wheels. These wheels are attached to a frame that's been designed to be sturdy, but low cost, and the resulting wheelchair can be shipped anywhere in the world for less than fifty dollars. Many of these chairs have been given away by charities to recipients in many different locations throughout the world.
Another recent development in wheelchair wheels is braking. Many wheelchair users have had inconvenient difficulties with manual brakes, including forgetting to set the brake before climbing into the chair, which could lead to a nasty fall. Automatic brakes allow the chair to move when the patient is in it, but render it motionless if there's no weight in the seat.
Another place that wheelchair wheels have been in need of improvements is related to injuries. Because there's a gap between the push rim and wheel on most manual wheelchairs, users may get fingers caught. Friction burns, finger dislocation, and abrasions can result. It's also possible to get debris or clothing caught in this gap. Many push rims also don't have enough room for the hands, which can lead to other injuries. To fix this, new wheelchair wheels that are ergonomically designed to compliment the shape of the hand are being created. These wheels are also built with possible injuries in mind, and minimize the gap between push rim and wheel, to prevent accidents.
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