For any wheelchair bound individual, the ease of use of items within their environment is critically important. Often, patients with limited mobility may need to have their weight monitored. This may be to insure that there is no significant loss in body weight due to improper nutritional intake. Alternatively, rapid weight gain may be a sign of build up of fluids caused by different types of medical issues. Wheelchair scales are used to accurately weigh these individuals.

Some important features of this type of platform scale include a large platform size, making it easy and safe to position the wheelchair on the scale. The height of the top of the wheelchair scale should be as low as possible. This makes it easier for the patient to wheel themselves up a ramp and onto the platform, or for a care giver to push the wheelchair up. Furthermore, a very low scale platform will only require a short ramp, avoiding the need for additional space required if a longer ramp must be used for a higher scale platform. Arlyn Scales achieves extremely low wheelchair scale height by incorporating high strength stainless steel load sensors. Most other scales use other types of metal for the load cells, which must be considerably larger for the same load capability. Furthermore, Arlyn Scales embeds the load sensors directly into the frame of the scale, further lowering the overall height.

The construction of the wheelchair scale itself, and the ramp, is of welded aluminum. This provides the dual benefit of a very rugged and durable platform that is also quite light in weight. Therefore, the scale can be easily moved throughout a facility or home. It may even be stored by placing it on its edge, leaning against a wall, thereby minimizing required floor space.