The Wheelchair Lift/ BackSaver

The Problem

Elderly wheelchair users find it difficult to get out and about and one of the limiting factors is the ability to take a wheelchair on a car journey. Usually the wheelchair would be stored in a boot and it falls to the partner or helper of the wheelchair-user to load and unload this. If they are also elderly this can prove a real problem.

The Solution

The Wheelchair lift is an innovative idea originating from Peter Thorneycroft, employee of South Birmingham PCT.  The system allows a wheelchair to be easily lifted into the boot of a car. The lift can be a manual or totally automated method of lifting. The manual version takes much of the strain away from loading a wheelchair and also ensures the person lifting uses the correct and more efficient muscle groups. In its automatic mode, the wheelchair is neatly stored in the car boot with minimal user intervention. Both systems are very simple to use, very cheap to construct and can be easily fit to any sized car.

How MidTECH has helped

MidTECH has helped in the development and design of the idea and  managed IP protection and commercialisation. They approached a partner organisation called HDTI based at Coventry University who designed and built a prototype of the manual lift. This prototype was then exhibited at Naidex show at the NEC in the summer of 2008. At this exhibition Midtech was approached by manufacturer, Mangar International Ltd. Midtech negotiated a licence agreement on behalf of the Trust which was signed in January 2009. The product (BackSaver) can be purchased at www.mangarinternational.co.uk