bit of a random one. This is a footrest from a wheelchair, it can be folded up or down. One of my dad's wheelchair footrests keeps falling down in the horizontal position. As far as I can see it is simply friction that holds it in place. Looking for ideas to give it more grip while in the vertical position
Hello @filthy
Thanks for sharing your question about your father's wheelchair. I propose two possible solutions, first is to attach Velcro straps on the footrest and the side of the metal pipe. When the footrest is flipped up the Velcro will hold the footrest in the upright position. The second option is to remove footrest and use a heat gun to slightly shrink the opening of the footrest hole. It's important not to overdo it otherwise it will totally deform the hole, and you'll not be able to slide it back in.
Your goal is to slightly shrink it or make it a bit oval so that it tightly grips the post once again when installed.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Noyade and @TedBear for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Good Morning @filthy
For the footrest section, does that black knob come off next to the foot rest? Then can the foot paddle slide out? It looks liek from the last photo that there is a screw that secures the black knob that stops the paggle sliding off. If you can slide off the footpad itself then you may be able to see what part has worn. Depending how much the foot pad plastic has worn you could maybe use a very thin tape over the metal before putting the footpad back.
I wonder if there is a spring mechanisim with the plastic? To help keep it vertical when not needed. You willbe able to see if it slides off.
Dave
G'day Dave and Eric.
I think the hot air gun has merit. But softening it and with a flat screwdriver pushing the plastic out at the ends to form little ridges - hence reducing the diameter = increase friction.
I'm sure you love your father @filthy - dunno if you love the wheelchair, so another thought is a thin bolt to gently 'squeeze' the diameter together.
Just random thoughts. Keep us posted!
some great ideas thanks.
might try the easiest first , which is the velcro or maybe weak magnets . Get about a ton of fridge magnets kindly donated by local real estate agents and politicians. Finally they can be useful in some way…
