#189038 - 07/13/10 11:07 AM
Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
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Jim in MO
Junior Member
Registered: 01/11/05
Posts: 5
Loc: United States
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Can someone explain to me why all the power chairs have BLACK seats, backs and arms? Today’s heat index will approach 110° and I would be sitting in a chair wrapped in black. I have never sweated like I do now that I am full time in a chair. I will of course have the seat, back and arms covered with a white beach towel so I can survive the summer without being stuck in the house when the sun is out but with a $28,000 chair I shouldn’t have to do that!
Everything about this Permobil is custom designed except the seating color. You get to select the width, height and length of everything, the seat, back and arms, but the color, no way only available in black. Why?
I know black doesn’t show the dirt but there are other colors out there that could be used besides white that would reflect the sun better and absorb the heat less than black.
I’m starting a campaign, let’s spread the word and tell these companies We Want Color Choices. So chairs manufacturers it’s time to step up and make some changes. I’ll bet the first one to offer some color choices will see a bump in their sales; they will definitely get my business.
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Live like this is the last year of your life but have a plan in case it isn't.
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#189044 - 07/13/10 11:37 AM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Jim in MO]
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paradocs
Member
Registered: 11/20/04
Posts: 2323
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I don't use a power chair so I haven't paid much attention to colors, but I have seen gray upholstery. Can an upholstrerer redo the cushions for you when they wear out or must the chair be returned to the manufacturer for reworking?
I had a friend who used an Everest & Jennings power chair. It looked more like a manual chair than many of the chairs today but it had 12" rather than 18" rear wheels. It took standard E&J upholstery and he used brown.
This link shows mainly black upholstery on the used power chairs they have available, but a few appear to be in gray and/or off-white.
http://www.marcsmobility.com/hot-products.html
Edited by paradocs (07/13/10 11:37 AM)
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#189051 - 07/13/10 01:00 PM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: paradocs]
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shakey56
Member
Registered: 03/31/04
Posts: 1889
Loc: where the wild roadrunners roa...
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There was a company years back marketing many options in colored backs. Can't think of the name, and haven't heard anything abt them in ages. Did a quick search and found this.
http://www.disableddealer.com/item_view.asp?itemid=102766
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Against logic there is no armor like ignorance.
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#189084 - 07/14/10 03:12 AM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: shakey56]
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HiltonP
Member
Registered: 09/19/00
Posts: 211
Loc: Cape Town, South Africa
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We're dealing with an industry segment here which is trapped in the past. Whilst manual wheelchair design and construction has advanced to some extent, the powerchair industry is decades behind.
If one looks at the developments which have been made in the electronics, battery, child vehicle seating, office furniture, cycle, motor vehicle and motor cycle / moped industries, and how all of these could benefit powerchair design and construction, then you begin to realise just how backward these things are.
They used black fourty years ago, it simply hasn't dawned on them to think of anything else.
Edited by HiltonP (07/14/10 03:13 AM)
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#189109 - 07/14/10 11:24 AM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: HiltonP]
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lazer
Member
Registered: 03/16/02
Posts: 7672
Loc: a world of my own...
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ive seen black. blue, red
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#189113 - 07/14/10 11:47 AM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: lazer]
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lazer
Member
Registered: 03/16/02
Posts: 7672
Loc: a world of my own...
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found tons of colors
http://www.edmond-wheelchair.com/upholstery_colors.htm
_________________________
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Memo: Don't get p*ssed at my OPINION, cuz thats all it is, my OPINION.........
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#189185 - 07/14/10 05:38 PM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: lazer]
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Johnboy 64
Member
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
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permobil only offers black. i'm in my third permobil. all my other chairs had grey back and arm rest. i personal prefer the black and i live in florida...
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#189205 - 07/14/10 06:36 PM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Johnboy 64]
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Lola
Member
Registered: 03/17/05
Posts: 5944
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i also prefer black. it goes with all my outfits!
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#189244 - 07/15/10 02:10 PM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Lola]
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Johnboy 64
Member
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
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lol lola, but i have to agree.
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#189264 - 07/15/10 03:37 PM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Johnboy 64]
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Jim in MO
Junior Member
Registered: 01/11/05
Posts: 5
Loc: United States
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But give us a choice!!!
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Live like this is the last year of your life but have a plan in case it isn't.
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#189294 - 07/15/10 04:24 PM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Jim in MO]
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Johnboy 64
Member
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
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i see your point jim
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#189335 - 07/16/10 10:09 AM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Johnboy 64]
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lazer
Member
Registered: 03/16/02
Posts: 7672
Loc: a world of my own...
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i showed u choices above
_________________________
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Memo: Don't get p*ssed at my OPINION, cuz thats all it is, my OPINION.........
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#190133 - 07/26/10 02:44 PM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Jim in MO]
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Stormi
Member
Registered: 08/17/00
Posts: 500
Loc: USA
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Same here Lola!
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"Only those who dream the absurd, can ever do the impossible" -Hellen Keller
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#190251 - 07/27/10 07:31 PM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Stormi]
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Lola
Member
Registered: 03/17/05
Posts: 5944
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lol, tara 
i think black is, fashionably speaking, perfect!
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#192645 - 09/15/10 07:56 AM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Jim in MO]
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Nona
Member
Registered: 11/21/01
Posts: 376
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Years ago I hated the black look too on my manual wheelchair. I made several back covers. I sewed them like a slip cover with velcro at the bottom to hold securely. I never had push handles on my chairs so this was a very simple project.
Do you know anyone who sews?
I hate my power chair's black vinyl armrests too. The rest of the chair is gray upholstery but the armrests could give me 2nd degree burns in the summertime!
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Nona
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#202257 - 06/02/12 07:05 AM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Jim in MO]
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Jim in MO
Junior Member
Registered: 01/11/05
Posts: 5
Loc: United States
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The Permobil Corpus seating system is greatly improved over the previous versions. More customizable, more comfortable, greatly improved overall and it is available in a light gray material on the seat, back and arms! Received my C500 last winter and now that summer and heat are here I love it even more. The lighter color has made all the difference. No more burnt arms when setting them down on a black armrest. Permobil has made a lot of improvements in their in line-up of chairs. Nice to see a company still coming up with new ideas and using innovation.
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Live like this is the last year of your life but have a plan in case it isn't.
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#202368 - 06/15/12 03:36 PM
Re: Why are wheelchairs BLACK?
[Re: Jim in MO]
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Paulwa_dup1
Member
Registered: 02/12/05
Posts: 4951
Loc: Washington
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Light grey is best I think. Like you say black can burn you in summer heat especially when you are numb and don't relize you are being burned. White would be best but it would be impossible to keep looking clean. Somebody should come up with coverlets in white to fit most models. They would be removeable and washable in the washer. Maybe a good idea for someone wanting to design a product and sell it.
Paul
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