Manual wheelchair propulsion systems have been gaining interest over the past few years as a sometime alternative to powered wheelchairs or as a way of increasing wheelchair propulsion and control with less energy expenditure.
These systems are also of interest to those wheelchair users who want to facilitate wheelchair pushing in a more ergonomic and shoulder friendly way.
The most recent edition to these systems is the Nordigo Lever Propulsion System. The system can be mounted on a number of different model wheelchairs. In each case the system is mounted to the frame of the wheelchair and not the wheels. Wheelchair propulsion is by means of two levers which allow for a rowing motion but traditional propulsion can still be utilized if desired.
Independent disc brakes on each side of the frame make it possible to steer and brake by a combination of lever action.
You can get more information as well as watch a number of product videos at the manufacturer’s website:
http://www.nordigo.ie/
A neat lever system that uses the pull stroke instead of the push. I’ve seen it on Utube a number of times. But is it available in the USA? It seems sending your chair overseas could be really expensive and difficult. I wonder when any good alternative drive systems will be readily available here?
Let me add to your misery Pat. Here is another one that you can’t buy stateside-
http://www.usatechguide.org/getsinglecompany.php?thecompanyid=2377&vmode=1
But! Possibly geared wheels might do in a pinch:
http://www.magicwheels.com/
Ok, enough torture. Here is a unit available in the states.
http://www.wijit.com/