What is ISO 16840-13 about?

ISO 16840 discusses standards for wheelchair seating. ISO 16840-13 is one of a series of documents focuses on determination of the lateral stability property of a seat cushion. ISO 16840-13 specifies apparatus, test methods, and disclosure requirements for the determination of lateral stability properties of wheelchair seat cushions by measuring the response from the cushion to a shift in the centre of mass of the load on the cushion.

ISO 16840-13 provides a method of determining changes in a particular physical and mechanical property of the cushion. It does not provide information specific to cushion performance for a particular individual user. It does not provide information related to anterior-posterior stability, nor to stability contributions from cushion edges.

ISO 16840-13 is applicable to cushions used in situations other than a wheelchair.

Note: Test conditions simulate a symmetric anatomy.

Note: Loads are intended to represent those seen under the pelvis of a 40th to 60th percentile wheelchair user.

Note: ISO 16840-13 It does not provide information related to anterior-posterior stability, nor to stability contributions from cushion edges. It does not provide information specific to cushion performance for a particular individual user.

Who is ISO 16840-13 for?

ISO 16840-13 on lateral stability of a seat cushion for wheelchair seating is applicable to:

Manufacturers of a wheelchair
Manufacturers of Wheelchair cushions
Design engineers of wheelchair
Test laboratories that for wheelchairs service

Why should you use ISO 16840-13?

The seat cushion, as the base of support for the wheelchair occupant, affects postural stability by resisting moments when the occupant’s centre of mass is displaced. Research exploring the influence of cushion design and setup on pelvic orientation and measures of postural stability is limited.

ISO 16840-13 provides details of test equipment and a method for the measurement of the cushion’s ability to resist movements contributing to pelvic obliquity. Changes in pelvic obliquity, as a result of a shift in the centre of mass, can affect stability and mobility depending on the response of the cushion, the occupant’s core muscle strength, etc.

Test method specified in ISO 16840-13 helps by enabling shifting a vertical load laterally on the top surface of a standard rigid cushion loading indenter (RCLI) simulating the buttocks and upper thighs.

ISO 16840-13 prescribes test methods which are intended to differentiate lateral stability performance between cushions.

ISO 16840-13 design guidelines, creates standardized approach for you and must be adhere to design high-quality seat cushions. Also, you can demonstrate the reliability of seat cushions and build trust in their use throughout the supply chain.

BS ISO 16840-13:2021

Wheelchair seating - Determination of the lateral stability property of a seat cushion

Current, Under Review

Published:

30 Jun 2021