Neater Unichair

The Neater Uni-Chair is steered through a cable linkage mechanism by the user turning their active foot. The user turns a single hand rim to power both rear wheels through a unique differential mechanism; allowing the wheels to rotate at different speeds when cornering. Tight corners with one wheel stationary and three-point turns are easily achieved. The wheelchair has a novel quick-release mechanism for the wheels and drive shaft to make packing the chair down to stow in a car boot easy for carers. (More detailed information can be found in Jon Michaelis' essay: "The Neater Uni-Chair - an engineer's perspective" ) Trials have shown the Neater Uni-Chair to be far more efficient than alternatives such as a dual-hand rim chair - Typically, a user will complete a course in half the time with the same heart and breathing rates - and with less uneven pressures on the user's body.