Development of a Compact and Mobile Scissor Lift to Transfer a Wheelchair User to and From the Deck of a Pool

The purpose of this project was to design and construct a unit that will allow an individual using a wheelchair to move herself from the wheelchair to the deck of a pool and vice-versa, independently and as comfortably as possible. A small compact scissor lift was designed and constructed for this purpose. The lift uses one linear actuator to lower the scissor frame to 51/2 inches from the pool deck and raise the frame to the height of the wheelchair. Two twelve-volt rechargeable batteries were used to power the linear actuator. Two 24 inch wheels were added in the rear and two small wheelchairs caster wheels were added to the front of the unit. Locking brakes were added to the rear wheels of the unit to prevent it from moving during transfer. The unit itself functions fully as a manual wheelchair and as a powered lifting device as shown in Figures 1 and 2.