Wheelchair

Abstract

The present application relates generally to conveyances and, more particularly, to wheelchairs. In one embodiment, a wheelchair includes a seat assembly coupled to a chassis. The chassis includes a frame having a rear wheel support member, one or more front wheel support members extending in a forward direction from the rear wheel support member, and a seat support member. The rear wheel support member comprises a central portion and left and right portions extending downward from the central portion. The wheelchair also includes one or more drive wheels for propulsion of the wheelchair, a set of front wheels for supporting the wheelchair, and a shrouding system for at least partially covering the frame and other components of the wheelchair.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A wheelchair, comprising:
 a seat assembly coupled to a chassis, the chassis comprising:
 a frame having a drive wheel support member, two caster support members extending in a forward direction from the drive wheel support member, a seat support member, and one or more anti-tip members extending in a rearward direction from the drive wheel support member, wherein the drive wheel support member comprises a central member and two axle support members extending downward from the central member; 
 a set of drive wheels for propulsion of the wheelchair, each drive wheel removably coupled to one of the axle support members of the drive wheel support member; and 
 a set of casters for supporting the wheelchair, each caster coupled to one of the caster support members. 
   
     
     
         2 . The wheelchair of  claim 1 , wherein each of the caster support members extend from the drive wheel support member in a forward and downward direction substantially parallel to a centerline of the frame and then curve upward and away from the centerline to a distal end. 
     
     
         3 . The wheelchair of  claim 1 , wherein each caster support member extends in a forward direction from one of the axle support members of the drive wheel support member. 
     
     
         4 . The wheelchair of  claim 1 , wherein the drive wheel support member, the caster support members, and the one or more anti-tip members are symmetrically disposed about a centerline of the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The wheelchair of  claim 1 , wherein the axle support members extend in a rearward and downward direction from the central member. 
     
     
         6 . The wheelchair of  claim 5 , wherein the axle support members have a curved configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The wheelchair of  claim 1  further comprising a rear handle support member extending in a rearward direction from the drive wheel support member. 
     
     
         8 . The wheelchair of  claim 1 , wherein the seat support member is coupled to the drive wheel support member. 
     
     
         9 . The wheelchair of  claim 8 , wherein a centerline of the seat support member is angled relative to the vertical axis. 
     
     
         10 . The wheelchair of  claim 1  further comprising one or more cross members extending between the caster support members. 
     
     
         11 . The wheelchair of  claim 1 , wherein two anti-tip members extend in a rearward direction from the drive wheel support member, and wherein each anti-tip member comprises a plate having a distal end that extends beyond the rearward most portion of the frame. 
     
     
         12 . A wheelchair having a wire routing system, the wire routing system comprising:
 a wheelchair frame having a drive wheel support member comprising a central portion and two axle support portions extending downward from the central portion, wherein the drive wheel support member is configured as a conduit for routing one or more wires; and   a terminal configured for attachment of wires from drive wheels coupled to the axle support portions, one or more batteries, and a joystick of the wheelchair; and   wherein each axle support portion comprises at least one wire opening for routing wires from the drive wheel to the terminal, and wherein the wires from drive wheel are routed through the wire opening and the drive wheel support member and out at least one central opening in the central portion to the terminal.   
     
     
         13 . The wheelchair of  claim 12 , wherein the wheelchair frame comprises a rear handle support member and a seat support member, and wherein one or more wires from the joystick are routed through an opening between the rear handle support member and the seat support member to the terminal. 
     
     
         14 . The wheelchair of  claim 12 , wherein the wheelchair frame comprises two anti-tip members, wherein each anti-tip member is attached to a distal end of each axle support portion of the drive wheel support member, and wherein each anti-tip member comprises an opening that provides access to an interior of the axle support member for routing wires from the drive wheel through the interior of the axle support member.