?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F8766%2F&rft.title=DESIGN+AND+DEVELOPMENT+OF+A+PEDIATRIC+WHEELCHAIR+WITH+TILT-IN-SPACE+SEATING&rft.creator=Zipfel%2C+Emily&rft.description=The+Pediatric+Adjustable+Lightweight+Modular+(PALM)+wheelchair+project+consisted+of+three+design+iterations%2C+full-scale+working+prototypes%2C+durability+testing+and+user+evaluation%2C+and+technology+transfer+activities.+User+input+was+crucial+to+developing+design+requirements.+A+handful+of+concepts+developed+for+this+design+are+novel+in+the+wheelchair+market+and+potentially+beneficial+to+pediatric+wheelchair+users+and+their+caregivers.+Some+of+the+concepts+could+be+applied+to+other+wheelchair+designs+in+the+future%2C+including+adult+tilt-in-space+wheelchairs+and+seating+for+both+adults+and+children.+The+PALM's+primary+construction+consists+of+modular+plastic+injection+molded+components+and+straight+tubes.+This+feature+allows+it+to+be+easily+customized+on+site+by+a+therapist+who+can+swap+components+and+make+adjustments.+The+modular+design+also+allows+it+to+be+packed+more+compactly+thereby+decreasing+manufacturing+and+shipping+costs.+Second%2C+the+tilt-in-space+mechanism+utilizes+a+unique+four-bar+linkage+design+that+decreases+the+need+for+small+moving+parts+such+as+rollers+and+spring+loaded+mechanisms+used+in+other+tilt-in-space+center-of-gravity+chairs.+Third%2C+the+PALM's+modular+design+allows+for+greater+flexibility+in+the+configuration+of+the+wheelchair+and+adaptation+to+different-sized+bodies.+Fourth%2C+the+PALM+is+highly+adjustable+and+selectable%3A+The+seat+depth%2C+seat+width%2C+back+rest+height%2C+back+rest+angle%2C+leg+rest+angle%2C+footrest+angle%2C+seat-to-floor+height%2C+and+axle+position+are+all+adjustable.+Finally%2C+the+PALM+converts+from+an+attendant-style+wheelchair+to+a+self-propelled+wheelchair.+These+features+create+a+variety+of+characteristics+that+clearly+distinguish+the+PALM+from+other+currently+available+pediatric+wheelchairs.&rft.date=2007-09-12&rft.type=University+of+Pittsburgh+ETD&rft.type=PeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F8766%2F1%2FEmily_Zipfel_THESIS.pdf&rft.identifier=++Zipfel%2C+Emily++(2007)+DESIGN+AND+DEVELOPMENT+OF+A+PEDIATRIC+WHEELCHAIR+WITH+TILT-IN-SPACE+SEATING.++Master's+Thesis%2C+University+of+Pittsburgh.++++(Unpublished)++