The flexible contour backrest: A new design concept for wheelchairs

Studies have shown that the use of a conventional sling backrest in a wheel chair may have a negative impact on the posture and health of users. To avo id such problems, this backrest is often replaced by a back cushion on a ri gid surface. However, the use of the latter deprives many wheelchair users of the advantages provided by the sling backrest (easy folding, lightweight , low cost, unobtrusive, simplicity of design). In an effort to maintain th ese features while providing adequate posture, a new backrest was designed according to specific criteria. The "flexible contour backrest" has been de veloped so that it can be adapted to a person's back contour with stays, ad justable straps, and curved back posts. Preliminary comparisons done by som e experts with commercially available backrests showed that design criteria were reached at 62.9% by the back cushion on a rigid surface, at 64% by th e sling backrest, and at 67.7% by the adjustable-tension backrest. On the o ther hand, design criteria were reached at 80% by the new flexible contour backrest because its, design brings together most of the positive features provided by these other backrests (easy to fold, light weight, unobtrusive, airy) as well as providing adequate posture and better lit to the user's m orphology.