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CONVAID USER’S GUIDE
Position the wheelchair aboard the motor vehicle to ensure sufcient clear space in front of, and
behind, the occupant. (See Figs. 126 & 127) If there are any hard or sharp objects or components
near the wheelchair, such as components of lifts or fold-up seats, they must be covered with
heavy-duty energy-absorbing padding to ensure the safety of the wheelchair occupant and other
passengers.
Your Convaid transit wheelchair was dynamically crash tested in a forward-facing conguration using
an appropriately sized crash-test dummy restrained by both upper-torso (shoulder) and lower-torso
(lap) belts. To reduce the possibility of head and chest injuries resulting from contact with vehicle
components, you must use both upper and lower torso belts.(See Figs. 132 & 133)
Your Convaid transit wheelchair provides for the use of an optional wheelchair-anchored lap belt. The
optional belt, which has been dynamically tested in accordance with Annex A of WC19, may be ordered
from Convaid at a nominal additional cost. To attach the lap belt to the wheelchair, secure the metal
clips at the ends of the lap belt (Fig. 134) to the pin/bushing connectors located on the wheelchair’s
rear securement-point brackets. (Fig. 135)
Before loading the wheelchair onto the vehicle lift, fasten the lap belt over the wheelchair user’s pelvis.
The wheelchair user should wear the optional lap belt as low over the pelvis and as snugly as possible
without compromising comfort. The vehicle-anchored shoulder belt may then be clipped to the
pin/bushing connector located on the lap belt near where it attaches to the chair. When not in use, the
optional lap belt may be looped underneath the seat, buckled, and tightened.
If the wheelchair is purchased without the optional lap belt or if the wheelchair user elects not to use
the belt, a vehicle-anchored lap and shoulder belt must be used. As with the wheelchair-anchored lap
belt, it is very important to position the vehicle-anchored lap belt low over the pelvis so that the angle
of the lap belt is within the preferred zone of 45º to 75º to the horizontal or the optional zone of 30º
to 45º to the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 136. Be sure that the shoulder belt crosses the chest and
the middle of one shoulder and that belt restraints are not held away from the body by wheelchair
components or parts, such as armrests or wheelchair legs. (See Fig. 137) Thread the lap belt under
the frame tubes located directly under the user’s elbows and pull the belt snug against the pelvis.
Ensure that belt webbing is not twisted as this may compromise safety.
Tilt-in-space wheelchairs can also be used for seating aboard a motor vehicle. It is best for tilt-in-space
wheelchairs to be transported with the seat in a relatively upright orientation. However, if the seat
must remain in a tilted position for medical reasons, the seat back should not be reclined more than
30 from the vertical. If it is necessary to recline the seat more than 30, move the shoulder belt anchor
point rearward on the vehicle wall so that the shoulder belt remains in contact with the wheelchair
user’s shoulder and chest.
Providing Clear Space & Padding
Restraining the Wheelchair Occupant
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