And Operating Manual Thank you for purchasing the VARILITE. Because a back system can have a dramatic impact on a person s quality of life, we recommend consulting a therapist or seating specialist who is qualified to conduct a thorough evaluation of your needs. This evaluation should be done prior to installing the VARILITE Talon. In order to use your back system correctly and to avoid possible injury, it is important that you read and understand this manual before use. If you do not understand the instructions and warnings in this manual, do not use the back system until you consult with your Healthcare Provider or other qualified seating specialist.
This and Operating Manual explains how to install the VARILITE Talon and how to operate and maintain it. For Dealers, Wheelchair Users or Caregivers who install the VARILITE Talon, please refer to following Table of Contents sections: WARNINGS pages 4-5 VARILITE Talon Parts pages 6-7 Assembly and Mounting Steps pages 8-11 Mounting Bracket Selection page 12 Troubleshooting page 14 For Wheelchair Users or Caregivers who operate and maintain the VARILITE Talon, please refer to the following Table of Contents sections: WARNINGS pages 4-5 VARILITE Talon Parts pages 6-7 Operating Instructions page 13 Troubleshooting page 14 Warranty page 15 Important Note for Dealers: Please provide the User or Caregiver with this manual. Important Note for Talon Users and Caregivers: Please retain this manual for your records. For assistance or other information, contact VARILITE Customer Service at 1-800-827-4548. Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS WARNINGS Pages 4-5 VARILITE Talon Parts Page 6 Exploded View Page 6 Part Numbers Page 6 Component Part Numbers Page 7 Assembly and Mounting Steps Page 8 Locate Centerline of Stabilizer Bar Page 8 Attach Mounting Bracket to Wheelchair Page 9 Attach Shell to Mounting Bracket Page 10 Make final adjustments Page 11 Mounting Bracket Selection Page 12 Operating Instructions Page 13 Adjusting the air-foam floatation cushion Page 13 Removing the Cushion Page 13 Care and Maintenance Page 13 Troubleshooting Page 14 Warranty Page 15 Page 3
WARNING TO AVOID INJURY, read, understand and follow all instructions and warnings in this manual before using VARILITE products. If you do not understand these instructions, seek qualified assistance. There are hazards associated with the use of wheelchairs and adaptive equipment. Imbalance, falls, and serious injury may occur if equipment is used improperly. Installation and adjustment of VARILITE equipment should be performed by an authorized dealer or qualified therapist only. Damage to your equipment and subsequent injury may occur if you do not adhere to the following precautions: Ensure that your VARILITE hardware is tightened and that the Back System is functioning properly before using your wheelchair. If you are unable to perform this task, please seek qualified assistance. Do Not use your wheelchair if any VARILITE hardware is missing, malfunctioning, or broken. Seek qualified assistance with any repairs or adjustments. Do Not exceed a weight capacity of 250 lbs. Excessive weight can damage hardware and cause equipment to fail. Do Not perform weight training if it causes chair capacity to exceed 250 lbs. Do Not lift the wheelchair by the Back System. Do Not use Back System and Seating cushions without their respective covers. For your safety, VARILITE cushion covers are made with fire resistant materials. Page 4
The Talon back was not designed or tested for use as seating in a motor vehicle. As a result, the performance of the back in combination with wheelchairs that are labeled for transit use when used in a motor vehicle is unknown. VARILITE recommends that users not occupy a wheelchair in a motor vehicle when using the Talon back. WARNING Do not use the Talon Back as seating in a motor vehicle. Because of the forces of motor vehicle travel and because of the risk of motor vehicle accidents, the seat back may unexpectedly disconnect and lead to serious injury or death. Wheelchair Compatibility The VARILITE Talon back system is designed to be compatible with most rigid frame wheelchairs that include a stabilizer or spreader bar. The diameter of the spreader bar must be 0.75 inches (19mm) for proper installation. In addition, the spreader bar must be an integral component to the wheelchair frame for secure mounting. Page 5
VARILITE Talon Parts Mounting Bracket Shell Self-Inflating Cushion Clamp Brackets Cover Tabs Valve Cover VARILITE Talon Part Numbers 14 in. 15 in. 16 in. 17 in. 18 in. 20 in. Aluminum Shell 04337 04336 04297 04281 04289 04279 Cushion 01359 01368 01369 01371 01377 01378 Cushion Cover 04638 04642 04647 04648 04649 04658 Complete Assembly 47517 47519 47521 47523 47525 47527 Accessories 47529 Mounting Kit, Short 04584 Modesty Kit, 14-15 in. 47530 Mounting Kit, Medium 04585 Modesty Kit, 16-17 in. 47531 Mounting Kit, Long 04586 Modesty Kit, 18-20 in. Page 6
VARILITE Talon Component Parts Bracket Screws Washers Clamp Bracket, Through-Hole Aluminum Shell (Cushion and Cover Removed) Clamp Bracket, Threaded Mounting Bracket Part Name Description Quantity 43-581 Clamp Bracket Threaded 1 EA. 43-582 Clamp Bracket Through-Hole 1 EA. 43-555 Washer Steel, black, 1/4 in. 4 EA. 43-936 Mounting Bracket Screw 1/4-20 x 0.5 in. Button Head Socket 2 EA. 43-937 Clamp Bracket Screw 1/4-20 x 1.25 in. Button Head Socket 2 EA. 43-911 Allen Wrench 5/32 in. Allen Wrench 1 EA. See Table Mounting Bracket º 1 EA. See Page 6 Aluminum Shell º 1 EA. See Page 6 Cushion º 1 EA. See Page 6 Cushion Cover º 1 EA. Mounting Bracket Short Medium Long 47532 47533 47534 Page 7
Assembly and Mounting Steps VARILITE Talon attaches to the wheelchair s stabilizer, or rigidizer, bar using the Mounting Bracket, Through-Hole Clamp Bracket, and Threaded Clamp Bracket. Aluminum Shell (Cushion and Cover Removed) 1. Locate and mark the centerline of the wheelchair s stabilizer bar. (Fig. 1) Fig.1 Page 8
2. Place Mounting Bracket on top of the Through-Hole Clamp Bracket. Insert (2) 1/4-20 x 1.25 in. Button Head Cap Screws and Washers through the single slot of of the Mounting Bracket and into the Through-hole Clamp Bracket. (Fig. 2) Fig. 2 3. Place Mounting Bracket and Through- Hole Clamp Bracket on top of the stabilizer bar at the centerline. Place Threaded Clamp Bracket on the opposite side of the stabilizer bar and screw the parts together. Tighten the screws just enough to hold the parts in place. Do not fully tighten until final adjustments are made. The vertical portion of the Mounting Bracket should be parallel to the back canes of the wheelchair. (Fig. 3) Fig. 3 Page 9
4. Position the Shell/Cushion assembly against the Mounting Bracket where it provides appropriate PSIS (Posterior Superior Iliac Spine) support. Note: It is not necessary to remove the Cushion and Cover during installation. 5. Attach the Shell/Cushion assembly to the Mounting Bracket using (2) 1/4-20 x 0.5 in. Button Head Cap Screws and Washers. (Fig. 4) Tighten the screws just enough to hold the parts in place. Do not fully tighten until final adjustments are made. Fig. 4 Placement Options The Mounting Bracket screws can attach to the Shell/Cushion assembly in three locations. The multiple locations, coupled with the vertical slots on the Mounting Bracket, allow a wide range of height adjustment. (Fig. 5) To increase the range of adjustment, reverse the Mounting Bracket so it attaches to the bottom of the stabilizer bar. (Fig. 6) Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Page 10
6. VARILITE Talon can be adjusted for height, depth, and angle. (Fig. 7) Fig. 7 Complete the positioning of the VARILITE Talon by adjusting height, depth and angle, and securely tightening all screws. Note: When properly mounted, the VARILITE Talon should stay securely in place without any movement of the Mounting Bracket or Clamp Brackets. If the Clamp Brackets rotate around the stabilizer bar, the screws have not been tightened enough. Clamp Bracket screws should be tightened as much as possible by hand. Note: Fully tightening the Clamp Bracket screws by hand will not damage the wheelchair s stabilizer bar. Page 11
Mounting Bracket Selection For most users, the VARILITE Talon is positioned with the Shell/Cushion in line with the back of the wheelchair canes. Our selection guide shows the recommended Mounting Bracket based on the stabilizer bar depth, as well as the range of posterior and anterior adjustment possible with each bracket. Mounting Bracket Short Medium Long Part Number 47532 47533 47534 Page 12
Adjusting the Cushion 1. To adjust the air level of the VARILITE Talon cushion, begin with the cushion fully inflated and the valve closed. 2. Turn the valve counterclockwise to open the valve and release air. 3. Close the valve when the air level that provides the support needed for the user s comfort and functionality is reached. Removing the Cushion 1. Pull the cushion up to detach the cover from the shell. 2. Detach the Cover Tabs from the hook patches on the inside of the Shell and pull the tabs through the slots in the shell. Note: Reverse the steps above to reattach the cushion. Care and Maintenance The aluminum shell can be cleaned with soap and warm water. Do not saturate. Avoid getting water under the rubber edge trim. The self-inflating cushions can be wiped with a damp cloth. The mesh cushion cover can be removed and washed. Refer to the cushion cover s tag for specific instructions. Air dry. Never store your Talon in conditions of extreme heat or exposure to direct sunlight for long periods of time. Never store sharp or heavy objects on top of your Talon cushion. Page 13
Troubleshooting System rotates around the stabilizer bar The Clamp Brackets are not tight enough. Fully tighten the Clamp Bracket screws. Shell/Cushion assembly does not support the PSIS Adjust the height of the Shell. Loosen the Mounting Bracket screws to slide the Shell up or down in the Mounting Bracket slots; use different holes on the Shell; or reverse the Mounting Bracket as needed to increase the range of adjustment. Too much or too little seat depth Loosen the Clamp Bracket screws and use the slot for posterior or anterior adjustment. Depending on the depth of the stabilizer bar, and the amount of posterior or anterior adjustment needed, a different length Mounting Bracket may be needed. Refer to the Mounting Bracket Selection Guide (page 12). Fully tighten the Clamp Bracket screws. Cushion Slips on the Shell Make sure the Cover Tabs are firmly attached to the loop patches on the Shell. Re-install the cushion if necessary. Page 14
Warranty VARILITE products are warranted against manufacturer s defect for two years from the original date of purchase and valid for the original purchaser of the product. This warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of components and does not include incidental of consequential damages. Should a product be found to be defective under this warranty, VARILITE will repair or replace it at our option. Abuse (punctures, cuts, burns, and abrasions), misapplication, and normal wear are not included, nor is the cover included in this warranty. Consult a trained medical professional prior to modifying a product. This warranty gives the consumer specific legal rights and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. If a problem arises with your VARILITE product, please call our Customer Service Department at (800) 827-4548. For a return under warranty, you must call Customer Service to receive a Return Authorization (RA) number prior to sending the product in for repair or replacement. All warranty claims will be handled promptly. Page 15
The VARILITE family of products: SEATING SYSTEMS EVOLUTION PSV EVOLUTION PRO-FORM ZOID PSV STRATUS DROP BASE RIGIDIZER CHEAT SHEETS BACK SYSTEMS TALON EVOLUTION BACK EVOLUTION BACK DEEP PAL Swing-Away Lateral Supports BACKREST Lumbar Support SECONDARY SUPPORTS HIP BELTS CHEST HARNESSES BAND-IT P/N 30-121 Rev6/4/07 Page 16