“It was brought to my attention by my son Zack, who works in a nursing home, that there is a great need for an automatic brake system for manual wheelchairs that would release when a person sat in the chair and automatically apply when the person started to exit the chair. Such a system would prevent many falls and injuries that occur from forgetting to apply the wheelchair's manual brakes. Something that happens far too frequently.

This automatic wheelchair brake system would require a way for the attendant to release the wheelchair brakes when no one was seated in the chair, and a way to lock off the brakes so that staff could easily tow the wheelchair while assisting residents with ambulating. The fall prevention system should not interfere with the normal use or working of the wheelchair in any way, especially the folding of the chair for storage or transporting. It would also have to be made so it would not weaken the structure of the wheelchair or cause pressure points by pressing against the occupant. The system also would need to be reasonably priced and require minimal maintenance.

I set my mind to the challenge, and after some consideration designed and built a fall prevention system that complies with all the above requirements. I named my invention the Jerry-Lock Brake System. I have also invented two other fall prevention systems for manual wheelchairs; the Incline Brake System, that will hold the wheelchair back while going down inclines and ramps, and the Attendant Brake System that puts control of the wheelchair's brakes in the hands of the attendant when needed. The Attendant Brake System is perfect for hospital escort purposes or for occupants whose safety may be enhanced by allowing only the attendant to control the wheelchair brakes.

I took my Jerry Lock Brake System to the Minnesota Inventors Congress in June 2004 and won 4 awards; First Place for the Minnesota AgrAbility Project, a Gold Overall Medal, Second Place Overall and Second Place for the People's Choice Award. The people from the Inventors Congress believe my fall prevention invention holds the record for the most awards taken by any one invention in the competition's 47 year history.

In 2005 the Minnesota Inventors Congress experienced another first as my new Safe-T-Chair swept the awards taking First Place Overall, First Place for the Minnesota AgrAbility Project, a Gold Overall Medal, and First Place for the People's Choice Award. Never before had any invention achieved all of the top honors awarded. This very simple yet very effective wheelchair safety system works extremely well and has been praised by all who have seen it work. I feel, and all who have seen it agree, that this fall prevention system will prevent many falls and injuries and can greatly improve the quality of life for many people who use wheelchairs. Our research and development department has worked diligently to bring these products to the market as quickly as possible in order to help prevent needless injuries and suffering.

- Jerry Ford