About Heavy-duty Transport Chairs

Heavy-duty transport chairs, or bariatric wheelchairs, are designed for people weighing from 350 to 850 lbs., or for rugged use. They commonly feature wide seats, a reinforced steel frame and reinforced upholstery. These chairs come in both manual and motorized versions. As the carrying capacities of the chairs increase, so does the price.

Identification

• Heavy-duty transport chairs come in varying capacities beginning at about 350 lbs. and the top-end chairs with capacities of about 700 to 850 lbs. They typically weigh between 35 and 45 lbs. Seat configurations are available from 20 to 32 inches wide, and 18 to 22 inches deep. Because bariatric wheelchairs have been designed for heavy-duty use, they are very durable and work well for the outdoors and even rough terrain, and people who are not obese often choose them for this reason.

Features

• People can purchase heavy-duty transport chairs at medical supply stores. The chairs are available with conventional or captain-style seats, and some offer tilted seats and reclining backs, which can provide much extra comfort. Some manufacturers offer a few different color options, along with accessories, such as cup holders, cushions, and carry on bags.

Considerations

• Heavy-duty motorized wheelchairs provide ease of mobility, but have disadvantages also. Few are collapsible, making it difficult to travel with them except in large vehicles. They are significantly more expensive than push chairs, and are larger, thus requiring more space to move around in. Because they work from batteries, the need for recharging must be kept in mind. Motorized chairs are best suited for individuals unable to move a manual wheelchair for any distance who require independent mobility.

Significance

• Because the population is aging and because obesity is an increasing problem, heavy-duty transport chairs are becoming more common both for individual purchase and in hospitals and clinics. Traditionally, hospital wheelchairs were 18 inches wide, but now the standards are 20 and 22 inches. Since the heavy-duty chairs are more durable, hospitals have found they can use them continually to transport patients from one area to another without any need for chair maintenance or repair.

Potential

• In health care facilities and elsewhere, the extra weight of the person and the chair can cause negative physical impacts on nurses and other staff, as well as on caregivers. Wheelchair manufacturers and inventors are continually working on new designs which are both sturdy and lighter weight. These designs include using different metal alloys, creating different frame structures, and reducing friction for easier rolling. Designers also are working to develop more fashionable-looking chairs which provide the same sturdy functionality of traditional chairs.