1980s
Angle-Adjustable Caster Plate
Allowed for adjustable seat angles (seat squeeze) for improved comfort and performance. Now the industry standard for all manual folding and rigid chairs.
Nylon Seat Sling
Improved comfort, weight, breathability over original leather or naugahyde upholsteries. Now the industry standard for manual chair seating.
Low Mount Wheel Lock
Tucked wheel locks under the frame for easier side/lateral transfers. All major wheelchair manufacturers now have some version of this technology.
Modular Frame
Allows the chair to grow and change with the user without he need to replace the entire chair. Still the most adjustable and configurable manual wheelchair on the market after all these years.
X-Hinge Cross Brace
Eliminated extra parts, reduced weight, less flex or movement in cross brace. With very few exceptions, this is the industry standard for cross brace design.
Folding Aluminum Manual Wheelchair
First with seamless aircraft grade aluminum tubing, which added rigidity and durability (along with significant weight reductions) to the frame. Other companies were starting to use aluminum in their designs, but Quickie was the first to realize the advantages of using high-end materials to remove weight and improve durability.
Indexing Center-of-Gravity Adjustments
Ensured center of gravity (CoG) was set evenly on both sides of the chair, which improves tracking and ease of use. Most manual folding wheelchairs on the market now have some sort of CoG indexing.
Padded Swing-Away Armrest
Lightweight, easy to remove or swing out of the way for transfers. Every major wheelchair manufacturer now offers a version of this armrest.
Powder Coated Frame Finishes
Previously all wheelchairs were wet painted. Power coating is more durable and allows us to provide many more color options.
Wheel Lock Extension Handles
Allows easier access to wheel locks and provides better leverage while applying the lock for users with limited strength and/or dexterity. Every current wheelchair manufacturer now has some version of a wheel lock extension.
Caddy
Improved on-chair storage so items did not have to sit in the user's lap. On-chair storage options are now availablke on all manual wheelchairs.
6" Caster Wheels
6" casters are a nice mid-range caster size that works equally well indoors and out. Previously only small indoor-specific or large outdoor casters were available. Now all wheelchair manufacturers offer a 6" caster as one of their most popular options.
1990s
Redesigned Mag Wheels
The Mag wheel is a great choice because it requires no maintenance and is very durable. Before the introduction of the 6-spoke mag, mag wheels were heavy and medical-looking. The 6-spoke took a lot of weight out and improved the aesthetics, which in turn improved the overall chair aesthetics. Since this development, wheel manufacturers have continued to improve the aesthetics and weight, but Quickie was the first to say function doesn't have to be ugly.
Articulating Leg Rest (ALR)
Prior to the ALR, the only angle-adjustable footrest options were extending/elevating leg rests (ELR). The main advantage of the ALR over the ELR is that it grows (articulates) in length as the foot/leg is raised. This articulation mimics the kinematics of the knee, allowing the legs to be raised without repositioning the end user. Most high-end wheelchair manufacturers now have some version of this technology.
Depth-Adjustable Back
Allows for the use of thicker seating/back supports without sacrificing seat depth. Also allows for better center of gravity alignment with the thicker back supports.
Kolorfusion
Opened the aesthetic options on chair beyond one color paint. Camo, Stars & Stripes, Zebra, etc. Allows the end user to further personalize their chair to meet their lifestyle.
Curved Rear Side Frame
Improved aesthetics without sacrificing functionality.
Single Shaft One-Arm Drive
Reduced weight and improved folding functionality. Previous one-arm drive designs were heavy and difficult to use due to a complex scissor-like mechanism and too much movement of the internal parts.
True Fit - Growth
Allows customer to grow/change dimensions of chair one time within the first five years without cost. Another area where our competitors were quick to copy.
Light-Up Casters
It's just plain fun to see a chair with light-up casters roll by.
2000s
Military Patches
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Air Force
Purple Heart
Allows members of the U.S. armed forces to show pride in their service to our country.
2010s
Matte Colors
Inspired by the new color options in the bicycle industry, matte colors modernized wheelchair aesthetics and gave consumers the opportunity to put a little unique edge in their aesthetics.
Welded Fabric - EXO Upholstery
Welded fabric is widely used in the clothing and accessory market. It eliminates the need for sewing by fusing layers of material. This improves quality by eliminating loose threads or torn seams and also allows for aesthetic touches that would be impossible or expensive with standard sewing.
All-in-One Axle Plate
Combined the functionality of several separate axle plates into one lightweight option.
Diamond Cross Brace
7000 series aluminum with optimized geometry allowed us to improve the strength and rigidity of the Q2 cross brace while also reducing weight.