If you have a mobility problem, getting from one place to another can be frustrating and time consuming. The arrival of mobility carts or mobility scooters as they are popularly known, has been heralded as a great help for people who have mobility problems.
Mobility Scooters: Brief History
The first mobility cart was designed and built in 1968 by Allan R. Thieme of Bridgeport, Michigan. He decided to design and build the scooter to help a member of his family who had multiple sclerosis. The first scooter was a front-wheel drive type and was designed and built at Thieme’s home.
Mobility Scooters: Parts and Description
A typical mobility cart or scooter has two rear wheels with a seat over them. A flat area is designed where the rider can place his feet. The scooter can be steered using handlebars situated in front. Meanwhile, it has a swiveling seat that allows access in the event that handlebars blocked the front.
Tiller:
The steering power of the mobility scooter is a tiller which is situated at the front. The tiller has speed controls and forward/reverse directions controlled either by finger controls, thumb paddles or a switch.
There are several design types of tillers for mobility carts:
· Fully Adjustable – this type of tiller allows flexible positioning and ease in dismounting and mounting.
· Delta – this type of tiller features wrap-around handles in each side. A scooter with this type of tiller can be steered using various wrists and hand positions and provides maximum comfort.
· One-handed throttle – the mechanism of this type of tiller is similar to a joy stick. The rider can steer the scooter with this type of tiller one-handed.
Battery:
Because mobility carts or scooters are designed primarily for people with disabilities or who have problems with mobility, most of these vehicles are battery powered. A scooter can have one or two batteries, depending on the model. The battery, stored onboard, can be charged onboard or using a separate charger unit.
Here are care tips for mobility carts battery:
· If you plan not to use your scooter for a long period of time, such as the whole winter, be sure to charge it every two to three weeks.
· Do not interrupt the charging before the battery is fully charged so as not to disrupt the cleaning process.
· Once in a while, overcharge your batteries for up to 4 hours.
· There is no need to charge your battery after every use if you rode your scooter on short distances.
Mobility Scooters: Advantages and Limitations
Mobility carts have proven to be beneficial to people who have mobility problems, especially to those who have difficulty navigating through slopes or distances. If you lack the arm/shoulder flexibility or the stamina required for using a manual wheelchair, then a mobility scooter is for you. Also, the swiveling seat of scooters is easier to use than the foot support of conventional wheelchairs.
Some drawbacks of scooters are:
· Tiller steering requires hand and shoulder strength, upright posture and upper body strength and mobility.
· Longer length limits turning radius and the use of lifts or technologies designed for wheelchair accessibility.
· Low ground clearance which makes navigation difficult.
· Fewer body support options such as leg or head rests.
Mobility carts are revolutionary products that have changed the way disabled people travel. When buying a scooter, it is important to choose one that meets the specific needs and requirements of the user such as size, weight and flexibility.