Umbrella For Power Wheelchairs Makes Rainy Days Less Of A Mess

By Alicia Rohan

Power wheelchair users may see a solution to rainy days with a new automatic umbrella attachment engineered by University of Alabama at Birmingham students. The UAB School of Engineering team is one of six internationally selected to present their designs at the eighth annual World Congress of Biomechanics in Dublin, Ireland, in July.

“Currently there are not many options to protect power wheelchair users from the weather,” said Jessica Pieczynski, a senior from Madison, Alabama, studying biomedical and mechanical engineering. “Our project supports clients who currently need someone to hold an umbrella for them when it rains. This device will allow power wheelchair users to be more independent, while still covering a majority of their body.”

The multiribbed canopy attaches to the headrest mount of the wheelchair. Attachment brackets are packaged separately based on various wheelchair models. The canopy is clear, which allows full visibility for the user. When the canopy is fully deployed, it offers protection for the head, chest, knees and, most importantly, the electronic controls. The folded canopy can be stored behind the user’s head when not deployed.“Power wheelchair users often have limited use of their upper extremities,” said Phil Klebine, a UAB employee in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and a power wheelchair user who provided inspiration for the project. “This can make it very difficult to carry a traditional umbrella. This young, talented engineering team has designed a reasonable solution for power wheelchair users to stay dry on rainy days. That’s a big deal for me because I do a lot of outdoor traveling in my chair.”

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