The Karma Flexx Series (KM-8022, KM-8522, KM-8022S, KM-8522S) is a versatile manual wheelchair designed for both self-propulsion and attendant use, suitable for indoor and restricted outdoor environments. The KM-8022 features a fixed backrest, while the KM-8522 has a foldable backrest for enhanced portability. The Flexx S models (KM-8022S, KM-8522S) come with standard upholstery, flip-back armrests, and pull-to-lock brakes.
Function Description:
The Flexx Series wheelchair is designed to provide mobility for individuals weighing up to 130 kg. It is highly adjustable, allowing users and attendants to customize various components for comfort, safety, and optimal performance. Key functions include:
- Propulsion: Can be self-propelled by the user or pushed by an attendant.
- Braking: Equipped with hand brakes for both rear wheels, designed for parking and not for slowing a moving wheelchair. Attendant brakes are optional.
- Adjustability: Features a range of adjustments for backrest angle, seat depth, armrest height, and footplate height to accommodate individual user needs and preferences.
- Portability: The KM-8522 and KM-8522S models have foldable backrests, and the wheelchair can be folded for storage and transport. Quick-release rear wheels are optional for easier disassembly.
- Safety Features: Includes provisions for anti-tippers (optional, but highly recommended or mandatory in certain configurations), a pelvic belt, and a seat belt for user security. The design emphasizes stability and warns against actions that could lead to tipping.
Important Technical Specifications:
The Flexx Series wheelchairs have an expected service life of five years under normal use and maintenance.
- Maximum User Weight Limit: 130 kg (286 lbs).
- Caster x Rear Wheel Size: 7 x 24Q / 8 x 24Q (for Flexx S), 7 x 14Q / 8 x 14Q (for Flexx).
- Nominal Seat Widths (mm): Available in 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500.
- Overall Length with Legrest (mm): 1025-1105 (Flexx S), 1005-1075 (Flexx).
- Overall Width (mm): Ranges from 555-705 (Flexx S) and 525-710 (Flexx) depending on seat width.
- Overall Height (mm): 900-925 (Flexx S), 915-940 (Flexx).
- Folded Length (mm): 815-1040 (Flexx S), 815-865 (Flexx).
- Folded Width (mm): 290-335 (Flexx S), 335 (Flexx).
- Folded Height (mm): 610-730 (Flexx S), 610-740 (Flexx).
- Total Mass (kg): 15.1-15.9 (Flexx S), 14.9-16.0 (Flexx).
- Mass of Heaviest Part (kg): 10.0-10.7 (Flexx S), 12.5-13.4 (Flexx).
- Handrim Diameter (mm): 520 (Flexx S), N/A (Flexx).
- Horizontal Location of Axle (mm): 10 (Flexx S), 70 (Flexx).
- Minimum Turning Radius (mm): 855-935 (Flexx S), 920-980 (Flexx).
- Minimum Turning Radius without User (mm): 725-805 (Flexx S), 790-850 (Flexx).
- Pivot Width (mm): 1225-1305 (Flexx S), 1240-1300 (Flexx).
- Static Stability (downhill, uphill, sideways): 15° downhill, 11° uphill, 18° uphill with anti-tippers, 18° sideways.
- Seat Plane Angle (X°): 5°.
- Effective Seat Depth (mm): 595-645 (Flexx S), 570-620 (Flexx).
- Nominal Seat Depth (mm): 415-465.
- Effective Seat Width (mm): 380-530.
- Seat Surface Height at Front Edge (mm): 390-530.
- Backrest Angle (X°): 11° (Flexx S), 13° (Flexx).
- Seat to Backrest Angle (X°): 96°.
- Backrest Height (mm): 430/510.
- Leg to Seat Angle (X°): 98° (Flexx S), 99° (Flexx).
- Footrest to Seat Distance (mm): 315-415 (Flexx S), 330-430 (Flexx).
- Armrest to Seat Distance (mm): 225-245 (Flexx S), 200-280 (Flexx).
- Front Location of Armrest Structure (mm): 365 (Flexx S), 355 (Flexx).
- Crash Tested: To ISO7176-19, suitable for use as a seat in adapted vehicles with a four-point webbing system.
Usage Features:
- Ease of Operation: Brightly colored key lockers highlight functions like swing-away footrests, flip-back armrests, and armrest adjustment.
- Unpacking and Assembly: Footrests are packaged separately and require assembly, including inserting footplates, adjusting length, and tightening bolts.
- Unfolding: Involves pulling armrests outwards, pushing down on the seat pan, installing footrests, flipping down footplates, and fixing calf straps.
- Folding: Requires unfastening calf straps, flipping up footplates, and pulling up the seat. KM-8522 models also allow folding of backrest tubes.
- Getting In/Out: Emphasizes applying brakes, flipping up footplates, and using armrests for support.
- Rear Wheel Disassembly/Assembly: Optional quick-release rear wheels allow for easy removal and re-attachment by pressing the hub cover.
- Backrest Angle Adjustment: Adjustable in 4° increments (6 positions) over a 20° range (-4° to 16°). Anti-tippers are mandatory if the backrest angle is set at or greater than four degrees.
- Seat Depth Adjustment: Adjustable in 1" or 2" increments, depending on accessories. Requires loosening bolts on the axle plate, moving the fixing plate, inserting extension tubes, and re-tightening.
- Armrest Adjustment: Swing-away and height-adjustable. Height adjustment is in 2 cm (5 positions) increments for a total of 8 cm (swing-away and height-adjustable armrest) or 1 cm (2 positions) increments for a total of 2 cm (swing-away armrest with adjustable spacers).
- Footplate Height Adjustment: Adjustable in 2.5 cm (5 positions) increments for a total of 10 cm. The distance from footplates to the floor must be more than 3 cm.
- Footrest Operation: Can be swung away and detached for easier transfers.
- Pelvic Belt: Fastened around the user's pelvis, ideally at a 45° angle, and adjusted for comfort and safety.
- Manual Parking Brake: Applied directly against the tires. Requires proper adjustment to maintain a 3.5mm gap between tires and brakes.
- Caster Angle Adjustment: Ensures casters are 90 degrees to the ground. Important after adjusting seat height, front caster, rear wheel, and center of gravity.
- Height-Adjustable Push Handle (Optional): Adjustable over a 15 cm range.
- Anti-Tippers (Optional): Prevent backward tipping. Distance between anti-tipper end and rear wheel should be at least 5 cm, and to the ground no more than 5 cm. Mandatory in certain configurations (e.g., active axle plate position, backrest angle ≥ 4°).
- Transferring: Detailed instructions for sideways and front transfers, emphasizing brake application, footplate positioning, and attendant assistance.
- Tilting: Performed by an attendant, ensuring user's feet are on footplates and handgrips are secure.
- Negotiating Kerbs/Steps/Stairs: Provides methods for going up and down, emphasizing attendant assistance and safety precautions.
- General Use: Guidelines for safe operation, including avoiding steep/uneven surfaces, soft surfaces, and sudden movements.
- Transportation: Crash-tested to ISO7176-19. Recommends transferring to a vehicle seat when possible. If used as a seat in a vehicle, requires a four-point tie-down system and occupant restraint system. Easily removable accessories should be detached.
Maintenance Features:
- Daily Checks: Before travel, inspect brakes, handgrips, anti-tippers, wheels, tires, nuts, and bolts for wear, damage, or misalignment.
- Regular Maintenance: Recommended every six months by authorized Karma dealers.
- Cleaning: Periodical cleaning, especially after exposure to rain or snow. Frame should be wiped with a damp cloth (no abrasive materials). Upholstery cleaned with warm water and mild soap or upholstery cleaner/foam (avoid other solvents).
- Lubrication: Axles should be kept clean and lubricated. Bearings should be lubricated regularly.
- Tire Pressure: If pneumatic tires are fitted, maintain correct tire pressure.
- Pelvic Belt Inspection: Inspect monthly for frayed edges and weekly for proper fit. Replace if damaged.
- Troubleshooting Guide: Provides a table for common issues like veering, sluggish turns, caster flutter, squeaks, and looseness, with corresponding checking points and corrective actions.
- Warranty: Frame and cross-braces are warranted for 5 years; gas strut for 1 year. Consumable parts (brakes, bearings, footplates, pads, side guards, upholsteries, wheels) are excluded. Warranty is voided by improper use, unauthorized repairs, or modifications.
- Recycling: Components like aluminum-alloy (frame), plastic (modular components), and paper (owner's manual) are recyclable.
- Storage: Store fully folded in a location away from direct sunlight, rain, and dew. Avoid placing heavy items on a folded wheelchair during storage.
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