Currently-available general-purpose manual wheelchairs typically weigh more than 35 pounds. This commonly causes fatigue and difficulty in mobility for disabled persons. Polyphenyline sulfide (PPS) and J-2 thermoplastic composites reinforced with Kevlar, graphite or fiberglass have qualities that can significantly reduce problems caused by weight. Primarily because of a reputation for high tooling costs and difficult fabrication methods, composites have not been widely used in wheelchairs. Rather, they have been used as substitutes for selected components in mostly-metal wheelchairs, in aircraft wheelchairs and a few available models. Our SBIR research is intended to show that the 1 7-pound composite general-purpose wheelchair is not only technically but economically feasible.From 1984 to 1986, Fiberlite worked successfully with DuPont Corporation, producing two prototype general-purpose wheelchairs weighing 17 pounds each. This research provides the initial design and materials choice for this study. We propose to determine the technical and economic feasibility of building the two most significant components of a wheelchair, the main frame and disk wheels, from PPS and J-2 thermoplastic composites reinforced with Kevlar, fiberglass and graphite. Our unique design and manufacturing methods maximize the benefits of composites, incorporating many parts and subassemblies into single components. We believe this will eliminate the costly manufacturing methods that have prevented composite wheelchairs from successfully competing in the mass market.Anticipated Results and
Potential Commercial Applications: Our Phase I proposal will determine the feasibility of manufacturing the major components of a 17-pound general-purpose wheelchair for the mass market. Successful design in Phase II of a complete prototype and detailed manufacturing process will make such a wheelchair a viable replacement for current general-purpose wheelchairs on the market. With more than 25 million disabled persons in the United States alone, the successful completion of this research presents an opportunity for wide ranging social benefits and commercial applications.Key words: Wheelchairs, Kevlar, Composites, Graphite, ThermoplasticsTopic 1: Transportation for Disabled Individuals
