Low profile seat frame

A wheelchair comprising:

• a chassis;
• a positioning module mounted to an upper portion of the chassis, the positioning module being operable to adjust at least one of an angular position and an elevational position of a seating area of the positioning module;
• a seat frame comprising:
• a support member secured to and spanning the seating area of the positioning module;
• and
• a front frame member secured to a front end portion of the support member and overhanging a front edge of the seating area of the positioning module, such that the seat frame at least partially straddles the positioning module, the front frame member being connected with and at least partially supporting at least one of a side frame member, foot rest, leg rest and arm rest assembled with and supported by the front frame member;
• and
• a seat secured to an upper surface of the support member;
• wherein the support member has a maximum height that is smaller than a maximum height of the front frame member.

A wheelchair comprising:

• a chassis;
• a positioning module mounted to an upper portion of the chassis, the positioning module being operable to adjust at least one of an angular position and an elevational position of a seating area of the positioning module;
• a seat frame comprising:
• a support member secured to and spanning the seating area of the positioning module;
• and
• a front frame member secured to a front end portion of the support member and overhanging a front edge of the seating area of the positioning module, such that the seat frame at least partially straddles the positioning module, the front frame member being connected with and at least partially supporting at least one of a side frame member, foot rest, leg rest and arm rest assembled with and supported by the front frame member;
• and
• a seat secured to an upper surface of the support member;
• wherein the support member includes at least first and second downward extending flanges sized to closely receive the positioning module therebetween.

A method of installing a positioning module on a wheelchair, the positioning module being operable to adjust at least one of an angular position and an elevational position of a seating area at least partially defined by an upper surface of the positioning module, the method comprising:

• assembling the positioning module to a chassis of the wheelchair;
• providing a low profile seat frame including a support plate having opposed upper and lower surfaces, a front frame member secured to a front end portion of the support plate and extending beyond the lower surface of the support plate, and a rear frame member secured to the upper surface of the support plate at a rear end of the support plate;
• securing the low profile seat frame to the positioning module, such that the support plate spans the seating area of the positioning module, and the front frame member overhangs a front edge of the seating area;
• assembling at least one of a side frame member, a foot rest, a leg rest, and an arm rest with the front frame member;
• and
• securing a wheelchair seat to the upper surface of the support plate.