Hand controls are an important part of wheelchair aided vans, as they with other driving aids makes the process of driving and travelling easy and comfortable for the disabled people and allows them to take up driving without causing any kind of discomfort or hindrance. They are mostly fitted below the steering wheels and are connected with the braking and accelerating pedals of the vehicles.
Right angle type of hand controls
The most comfortable automatic hand control system is the right angle type of hand control. It does not create any kind of tiredness for the handicapped drivers while driving the vehicle and due to its unique design, no discomfort is felt on the driver’s legs or knees. The fingers and the thumb do not feel any kind of strain and people with limited finger dexterity too can use this hand control system to make any kind of vehicle movement.
How do they work?
The right angle hand control handle is installed horizontally on the steering wheel of the van. The handle can either be installed on the right or the left side of the steering panel depending on the convenience of the driver. In order to accelerate the vehicle, the driver pulls the handle down towards himself or herself at a right degree angle and in order to put the brakes, push the handle towards the dashboard of the vehicle. The uniqueness of the right angle hand control is that while giving throttle to the handle only the central shaft of the handle moves and people with zero finger dexterity too can use this type of hand control system as the driver’s body remains in position and there is not much contact needed from the driver’s side. Hence, disabled drivers do not feel any kind of fatigue.
Push and pull type of hand controls
One of the most common types of automatic control system is the push and pull hand control system. The functioning of the same can be done with multiple hand movements and various hand positions. There are fewer chances of body cramps and fatigue for the drivers driving the wheelchair vans and this type of control is used by the disabled people who can use their both hands while handling the steering wheel and the hand controlling equipment.
How do they work?
Like many other controls, the push and pull type too is installed on either the right or the left side of the steering panel for an easy grip in a horizontal manner. Like the other hand controlling system, the push and pull handle when pushed forward towards the dashboard applies the brakes of the vehicle. The acceleration of the vehicle is done by pulling the handle/ lever towards the steering wheel of the vehicle.
Hand controls for wheelchair vans are an essential driving aid as they reduce the driver’s fatigue and body cramps, increase the throttle response, increase the braking ability, and make the action easy and reduce any hand strain.
Contact :
Contact Person: Mo Abusham
E-mail: [email protected]
Guidosimplex USA
Address: 8130 Parkway Dr.La Mesa, CA 91942
Tel/Fax: 888 540 8267
Website: http://www.guidosimplexusa.com/