Wheelchair with Interchangeable Wheels

This build is a custom walker for a dachshund with erosive polyarthritis. She walks on her wrists instead of her paw pads, causing her a lot of pain. For her case, I designed a quad-assisted walker with an extra long sling to support her full length. The client requested that the wheels could be interchangeable for an indoor set and an outdoor set. Although she had an existing wheelchair, it was too heavy for her to move around, and the body of the cart was not long enough for her back and limbs.

The frame is built in a cage-style walker. I was able to get away with fewer structural supports which decreased the weight of the frame. Primarily constructed from PVC pipe and 3D printed parts using PLA, the cart is relatively light weight and low-cost without losing structural integrity. The legs of the frame were joined with 45-degree angles (custom, 3D printed) and angled outwards to give her more space under the cage when ambulating.

The neoprene sling was custom made to her measurements and needs. Neoprene is a durable, light-weight material and gives a comfortable feeling on the skin when worn. The sling can be completely detached from the cart through five buckles for ease of cleaning and maintenance.

A nut was embedded into the 3D printed attachment for the wheels to be secured to. The wheels were screwed into from the bottom, then joined to the attachment by using a two-part epoxy. Epoxy was also used throughout the frame to secure the joints.

The wheel attachment is removed from the frame by removing the pin. Notches were cut into it so that a flat head screwdriver can be used if it is too tight to be removed with just your hands. The groove of the attachment fits snugly around the frame like a puzzle piece. Simply line up the holes on either side and replace the pin.