Seat assembly for a wheelchair

The seat assembly for wheelchairs uses profiled tracks and locking wedges to facilitate easy and secure adjustment of the backrest position, addressing access issues and enhancing user convenience.

EP4751693A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-06-03PERMOBIL

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
PERMOBIL
Filing Date
2024-11-29
Publication Date
2026-06-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Adjusting the position of a wheelchair backrest relative to the seat base is challenging due to difficulty in accessing mounting brackets and nuts/mounting blocks within side channels, which are obstructed by wheelchair wheels and other structures.

Method used

A seat assembly with profiled tracks and locking wedges that allow the backrest brackets to slide and lock along continuous paths, facilitated by T-shaped anchoring structures and beveled edges, enabling easy adjustment and secure fixation to the seat base.

Benefits of technology

Enables simple and secure adjustment of the backrest position without requiring access to obstructed areas, allowing users to adjust the seat depth while seated, and enhancing the stability and ease of use.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A seat assembly for a wheelchair, comprising: a seat base including a first profiled track, and a second profiled track extending parallel with the first profiled track, a first backrest bracket, a second backrest bracket, a backrest assembly mounted to the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket, wherein each of the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket has a bracket base (5a) having a bevelled first edge portion (5d), a pair of first locking wedges (19a),and a plurality of fasteners (23), each attaching one of the first locking wedges to a respective bevelled first edge portion (5d), wherein for each pair of bracket base (5a) and first locking wedge (19a) attached to the bevelled first edge portion (sd) of the bracket base (5a) at least one of the pair of the bracket base (5a) and the first locking wedge (19a) has an anchoring structure (5g, 21a) with a profile shape adapted to engage with one of the first profiled track and the second profiled track, each anchoring structure (5g, 21a) thereby pressing against one of the first profiled track and the second profiled track, locking the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket to the seat base.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to seat assemblies for wheelchairs.BACKGROUND

[0002] Wheelchairs have a backrest. The backrest may be attached to a base of a seat. To accommodate for differently sized users, the depth or horizontal position of the backrest may be adjustable. Thus, the backrest may be moved relative to the base. Often, the possible locations of the backrest relative to the base may have been restricted to a few discrete positions.

[0003] US2004 / 0104614 A1 discloses an adjustable seat support for a wheelchair. The adjustable seat support assembly includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back frame. The seat bottom frame has at least two spaced apart beams. Each beam includes at least one side channel that extends at least a portion of the beam. The seat back frame includes two vertical supports. Each support has an upper end and a lower end. At least one back frame crossbar is attached to and extends between the vertical supports. A mounting bracket is attached to the lower end of each support and removably attached to a channel in one of the beams by means of bolts. The bolts engage with nuts or mounting blocks located within the respective side channel of the beam.SUMMARY

[0004] Changing the position of the mounting brackets and thus of the seat back frame may be challenging because the side channels can be difficult to access in relation to wheels and other structures located on the left and right sides of a wheelchair. Moreover, it can be difficult to access the nuts / mounting blocks arranged within a side channel to release or attach a mounting bracket.

[0005] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a seat assembly for a wheelchair which solves or at least mitigates the problems of the prior art.

[0006] There is hence according to a first aspect of the present disclosure a seat assembly for a wheelchair, comprising: a seat base including a first profiled track, and a second profiled track extending parallel with the first profiled track, a first backrest bracket, a second backrest bracket, a backrest assembly mounted to the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket, wherein each of the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket has a bracket base has a bevelled first edge portion, a pair of first locking wedges, and a plurality of fasteners, each attaching one of the first locking wedges to a respective bevelled first edge portion, wherein for each pair of bracket base and first locking wedge attached to the bevelled first edge portion of the bracket base, at least one of the pair of the bracket base and the first locking wedge has an anchoring structure with a profile shape adapted to engage with one of the first profiled track and the second profiled track, each anchoring structure thereby pressing against one of the first profiled track and the second profiled track, locking the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket to the seat base.

[0007] It is thereby possible to position the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket along a continuous path in a simple way along the first profiled track and the second profiled track, respectively. Moreover, the locking wedges provide good locking functionality.

[0008] When the fasteners are tightened, or are tightly fixing the first locking wedges to a respective bevelled first edge portion, the anchoring structures press against one of the first profiled track and the second profiled track, thus locking the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket to the seat base.

[0009] According to one embodiment each of the first profiled track and the second profiled track are T-shaped.

[0010] The first profiled track and the second profiled track may be T-shaped upside down in the seat base. The foot of a T forms the opening of the first profiled track and the second profiled track, and the crossbar at the top of the T forms the floor of the first profiled track and the second profiled track.

[0011] The first profiled track and the second profiled track may in general have any profile shape that provide anchoring of the first / second backrest bracket by means of the anchoring structures. The anchoring structures have a profile which corresponds to and is able to engage with the profiled shape of the first profiled track and the second profiled track.

[0012] Each of the first profiled track and the second profiled track may be open at least at one axial end thereof.

[0013] According to one embodiment each bracket base comprises the anchoring structure in the form of a bracket anchoring structure extending from the central section and engaging with a respective one of the first profiled track and the second profiled track, allowing the first backrest bracket to slide in the first profiled track and the second backrest bracket to slide in the second profiled track.

[0014] If both the first / second profiled track and the profile shape of the anchoring structures are T-shaped or more generally have a shape that provide anchoring of the first / second backrest bracket, the anchoring structures are able to slide in the first / second profiled track when the first locking wedges have been loosened, to position the first / second backrest bracket as desired. The profiled anchoring structures thus facilitate the sliding motion, and furthermore strengthens / reinforces the fastening structure for the backrest onto the seat base. Moreover, the T-shaped configuration allows for the anchoring structures when provided on the first locking wedges to be pushed up towards the downwards facing surface of e.g., the upside down oriented T-shaped first / second profiled track if the inclined surface of the bevelled first edge portion is provided at an upper surface or top side of the first / second backrest bracket, and for the lower surface of the backrest bracket facing the seat base to be pressed towards the upper surface of the seat base. If the inclined surface of the bevelled first edge portion is provided at a lower surface or underside of the first / second backrest bracket, then the anchoring structures of the backrest brackets are pushed up towards the downwards facing surface of e.g., the upside down oriented T-shaped first / second profiled track. In both cases, the locking wedges lock the first / second backrest bracket to the seat base when fastened to the first / second backrest bracket by means of the respective fastener.

[0015] The first profiled track may be arranged in an upper surface or top surface of the seat base. The second profiled track may be arranged in an upper surface or top surface of the seat base. A respective opening, e.g., at the foot if T-shaped, into each of the first profiled track and the second profiled track may thus be arranged in the same direction.

[0016] According to one embodiment each of the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket has a bracket through-opening extending from the bevelled first edge portion to the central section, wherein each first locking wedge has a wedge through-opening, and wherein each fastener extends through a bracket through-opening and through the wedge through-opening of a first locking wedge.

[0017] According to one embodiment the bracket through-opening of the first backrest bracket extends parallel with the first profiled track, and the bracket through-opening of the second backrest bracket extends parallel with the second profiled track.

[0018] According to one embodiment each fastener has a head and an elongate body extending from the head, wherein the head points towards a rear end of the seat base. This allows for easy access for fixating and loosening of the backrest brackets from the rear side, i.e., the rear end of the seat base and thus of a wheelchair when the seat assembly has been installed in a wheelchair. As a result, adjustment of the seat depth may be made while a wheelchair user is located in the seat.

[0019] According to one embodiment each fastener comprises a screw thread, and at least one of the wedge through-openings have an inner surface provided with a thread configured to cooperate with the screw thread.

[0020] As an alternative to the wedge through-openings having an inner surface with a thread, the inner surface could be smooth, i.e., without a thread. The fastener could in this case be fixed by means of a nut for example.

[0021] According to one embodiment the first edge portion of each one of the bevelled first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket has an underside facing the seat base, and an upper surface which is inclined relative to the seat base, and which defines the bevelled structure of the bevelled first edge portion.

[0022] According to one embodiment each of the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket comprises a bevelled second edge portion, wherein the seat assembly comprises a pair of second locking wedges, wherein each fastener attaches one of the second locking wedges to a respective bevelled second edge portion, wherein for each pair of bracket base and second locking wedge attached to the bevelled second edge portion of the bracket base at least one of the pair of the bracket base and the second locking wedge has an anchoring structure with a profile shape adapted to engage with one of the first profiled track and the second profiled track, each anchoring structure thereby pressing against one of the first profiled track and the second profiled track, locking the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket to the seat base.

[0023] When the fasteners are tightened, or are tightly fixing the second locking wedges to a respective bevelled second edge portion, the anchoring structures press against one of the first profiled track and the second profiled track, thus locking the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket to the seat base.

[0024] According to one example the first locking wedges and the second locking wedges are in total exactly four in number.

[0025] According to one example one of the bevelled first edge portion and the bevelled second edge portion is a bevelled front edge portion and the second one of the bevelled first edge portion and the bevelled second edge portion is a bevelled rear edge portion for each of the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket.

[0026] According to one embodiment each of the first backrest bracket and the second backrest bracket comprises a respective anchoring structure, and each locking wedge comprises a respective anchoring structure.

[0027] According to one embodiment the backrest assembly comprises a frame mounted to the first backrest bracket and to the second backrest bracket, and a backrest mounted to the frame.

[0028] According to one embodiment the fasteners are two in number.

[0029] According to one embodiment the seat base is a seat plate or seat platform.

[0030] There is according to a second aspect of the present disclosure provided a wheelchair comprising a seat assembly of the first aspect.

[0031] The wheelchair may be a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair.

[0032] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means", etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The specific embodiments of the inventive concept will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a seat assembly; Fig. 2 shows a close-up perspective view of components of the seat assembly in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a backrest bracket; Fig. 4 is a top view of a backrest bracket; Fig. 5 is a perspective view from below of a backrest bracket and two locking wedges; Fig. 6 shows the components in Fig. 2 engaged with a seat base; Fig. 7 is a rear view of the components in Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 shows a wheelchair comprising a seat assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments are shown. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a seat assembly 1 for a wheelchair.

[0036] The seat assembly 1 comprises a seat base 3, a first backrest bracket 5, a second backrest bracket 7, and a backrest assembly 9.

[0037] The seat assembly 1 may comprise a seat cushion (not shown). The seat base 3 may be configured to enable mounting of the seat cushion to the seat base 3. The seat base 3 may for example comprise openings dimensioned and positioned to match openings of the seat cushion for attaching the seat cushion to the seat base 3 by means of screws or bolts.

[0038] The seat base 3 may be a seat plate or a seat platform.

[0039] The seat base 3 includes a first profiled track 3a and a second profiled track 3b. The first profiled track 3a and the second profiled track 3b extend in parallel with each other.

[0040] The first profiled track 3a is a straight track. The second profiled track 3b is a straight track.

[0041] The first profiled track 3a runs in a direction from a rear end 3d of the seat base 3 towards a front end 3c of the seat base 3. The first profiled track 3a may extend all the way to the rear end 3d of the seat base 3. The first profiled track 3a may open from the rear end 3d of the seat base 3.

[0042] The second profiled track 3b runs in a direction from the rear end 3d of the seat base 3 towards the front end 3c of the seat base 3. The second profiled track 3b may extend all the way to the rear end 3d. The second profiled track 3b may open from the rear end 3d of the seat base 3.

[0043] The first profiled track 3a extends in or opens from an upper surface 3e of the seat base 3.

[0044] The second profiled track 3b extends in or opens from the upper surface 3e of the seat base 3.

[0045] The first backrest bracket 5 is arranged to engage with the first profiled track 3a. As will be explained herein, the first backrest bracket 5 may be locked to the seat base 3 when it engages with the first profiled track 3a. The first backrest bracket 5 can thus be fixed to the seat base 3. The first backrest bracket 5 can be loosened from the seat base 3 and slide in the first profiled track 3a to change the position of the first backrest bracket 5 along the first profiled track 3a. The first backrest bracket 5 may according to one example be slid into the first profiled track 3a from the open rear end 3d of the seat base 3.

[0046] The second backrest bracket 7 is arranged to engage with the second profiled track 3b. As will be explained herein, the second backrest bracket 7 may be locked to the seat base 3 when it engages with the second profiled track 3b. The second backrest bracket 7 can thus be fixed to the seat base 3. The second backrest bracket 7 can be loosened from the seat base 3 and slide in the second profiled track 3b to change the position of the second backrest bracket 7 along the second profiled track 3b. The second backrest bracket 7 may according to one example be slid into the second profiled track 3b from the open rear end 3d of the seat base 3.

[0047] The backrest assembly 9 is mounted to the first backrest bracket 5 and to the second backrest bracket 7. The backrest assembly 9 may comprise a frame 11 that is connected to and extends between the first backrest bracket 5 and the second backrest bracket 7. The frame 11 may be pivotally attached to the first backrest bracket 5 and to the second backrest bracket 7.

[0048] The backrest assembly 9 may comprise a backrest, or backrest plate, 13 mounted to the frame 11.

[0049] The backrest assembly 9 may comprise armrests 15a, 15b mounted to the frame 11.

[0050] The seat assembly 1 may comprise a footrest assembly 17. The footrest assembly 1 may be pivotably arranged relative to the seat base 3.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows a close-up view of the first backrest bracket 5. The first backrest bracket 5 and the second backrest bracket 7 may be identical or they may be the mirror image of each other. In the following, the description of the first backrest bracket 5 equally applies to the second backrest bracket 7 and vice versa.

[0052] The first backrest bracket 5 comprises a bracket base 5a. The bracket base 5a has a front, or forward, end 5b, and a rear, or back, end 5c. When the first backrest bracket 5 is arranged in the first profiled track 3a, the front end 5b of the bracket base 5a is directed towards the front end 3c of the seat base 3.

[0053] When the first backrest bracket 5 is arranged in the first profiled track 3a, the rear end 5c of the bracket base 5a is directed towards the rear end 3d of the seat base 3.

[0054] The bracket base 5a comprises a bevelled first edge portion 5d and a bevelled second edge portion 5e. In the example, the bevelled first edge portion 5d defines the front end 5b of the bracket base 5a. In the example, the bevelled second edge portion 5e defines the rear end 5c of the bracket base 5a. In another example, the bracket base 5a comprises a single bevelled edge portion. In this case, the bevelled first edge portion 5d may define either the front end 5b or, preferably, the rear end 5c of the bracket base 5a.

[0055] The bevelled first edge portion 5d has an underside which when the first backrest bracket 5 is mounted to the seat base 3 faces the seat base 3. The bevelled first edge portion 5d has an upper surface which is inclined relative to the seat base 3, and which defines the bevelled structure of the bevelled first edge portion 5d. The inclined surface of the bevelled first edge portion 5d is thus overcut, as shown in Fig. 2. Alternatively, the inclined surface may be undercut.

[0056] The bracket base 5a comprises a central section 5f. The bevelled first edge portion 5d transitions into the central section 5f. The bevelled first edge portion 5d transitions into the central section 5f in a direction towards the rear end 5c of the bracket base 5a.

[0057] The bevelled second edge portion 5e transitions into the central section 5f. The bevelled second edge portion 5e transitions into the central section 5f in a direction towards the front end 5b of the bracket base 5a. The central section 5f extends between the bevelled first edge portion 5d and the bevelled second edge portion 5e.

[0058] The bracket base 5a may comprise an anchoring structure herein termed a bracket anchoring structure 5g. The bracket anchoring structure 5g extends downwards from the central section 5f. The bracket anchoring structure 5g has a profile shape adapted to engage with the first profiled track 3a and / or the second profiled track 3b.

[0059] According to one example, each of the first profiled track 3a and the second profiled track 3b are T-shaped. In this case, the profile shape of each bracket anchoring structure 5g is T-shaped too, dimensioned to engage with the T-shaped first profiled track 3a / second profiled track 3b. The first profiled track 3a and the second profiled track 3b may alternatively have any shape that provides anchoring functionality. For example, the crossbar at the top of the T may be arched instead of straight.

[0060] The seat assembly 1 further comprises a pair of first locking wedges 19a, one for each of the first backrest bracket 5 and the second backrest bracket 7, and a pair of second locking wedges 19b, one for each of the first backrest bracket 5 and the second backrest bracket 7. The seat assembly 1 thus comprises four locking wedges 19a, 19b, i.e., two first locking wedges 19a and two second locking wedges 19b, but alternatively the seat assembly 1 could in total comprise only two locking wedges.

[0061] Each first and second locking wedge 19a, 19b, is configured to abut a bevelled edge portion. Thus, if the seat assembly 1 comprises four locking wedges, then each locking wedge is configured to abut a respective one of the four bevelled first / second edge portions of the two backrest brackets 5, 7. In examples with only one bevelled edge portion for each backrest bracket 5, 7, then the seat assembly 1 includes only two locking wedges.

[0062] In the example depicted in Fig. 2, the first locking wedge 19a is configured to be attached to the bevelled first edge portion 5d and the second locking wedge 19b is configured to be attached to the bevelled second edge portion 5e. The inclined surface of the first locking wedge 19a faces the inclined or bevelled surface of the bevelled first edge portion 5d. The inclined surface of the second locking wedge 19b faces the inclined or bevelled surface of the bevelled second edge portion 5e.

[0063] Each first and second locking wedge 19a, 19b has an anchoring structure herein termed a locking wedge anchoring structure 21a, 21b with a profile shape adapted to engage with the first profiled track 3a and / or the second profiled track 3b. The locking wedge anchoring structure 21a, 21b protrudes from a lower side, or underside, of the first / second locking wedge 19a, 19b.

[0064] In case the first profiled track 3a and the second profiled track 3b are T-shaped, the profile shape of each locking wedge anchoring structure 21a, 21b is T-shaped too. Each locking wedge anchoring structure 21a, 21b is designed and dimensioned to engage with the T-shaped first profiled track 3a / second profiled track 3b.

[0065] The seat assembly 1 comprises a plurality of fasteners 23, such as two fasteners 23. The fasteners 23 may for example be screws or bolts. Each fastener 23 may comprise a head, or driver portion, 23a, and an elongate body extending from the head 23a. The elongate body may have a screw thread on its outer surface.

[0066] Each fastener 23 is configured to attach a first locking wedge 19a and / or a second locking wedge 19b to the bracket base 5a of one of the first backrest bracket 5 and the second backrest bracket 7. Thus, in examples in which a first locking wedge 19a and a second locking wedge 19b are attached to the same backrest bracket 5, 7, a single fastener 23 may be used for attaching both locking wedges 19a, 19b to the bracket base 5a.

[0067] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the first backrest bracket 5. The first backrest bracket 5 has a bracket through-opening 5h extending through the first backrest bracket 5. The bracket through-opening 5h extends through the central section 5f. According to the example, the bracket through-opening 5h extends from the bevelled first edge portion 5d, through the central section 5f, and to the bevelled second edge portion 5e. The bracket through-opening 5h is parallel with the bracket anchoring structure 5g, if present.

[0068] Each first and second locking wedge 19a, 19b has a wedge through-opening 20, shown in Fig. 2. The wedge through-opening 20 is aligned with bracket through-opening 5h when a first / second locking wedge 19a, 19b is attached to the first / second backrest bracket 5, 7. A fastener 23 extends through the wedge through-opening 20 and into bracket through-opening 5h of the backrest base 5a. In case a first and a second locking wedge 19a, 19b is attached to the first / second backrest bracket 5, 7, the fastener 23 extends through the wedge through-opening 20 of both locking wedges 19a, 19b and through the bracket through-opening 5h which is arranged between the two wedge through-openings 20.

[0069] According to one example, only the wedge through-opening 20 of the first locking wedge 19a that is attached to the bevelled first edge portion 5d at the front end 5b of the bracket base 5a has a threaded inner surface arranged to engage with the screw thread of the elongate body of the fastener 23. This makes it quicker and easier to attach the locking wedges 19a, 19b to the bracket base 5a. Moreover, it allows for the two locking wedges attached to a backrest bracket to move towards each other independently, to obtain the desired wedging of the backrest bracket. Alternatively, none of the first and second locking wedges 19a, 19b has a threaded inner surface, and instead a nut or similar may be used for fixing the locking wedges 19a, 19b to the first / second backrest bracket 5, 7.

[0070] The head 23a of each fastener 23 may point towards a rear end 3d of the seat base 3. The distal end of the elongate body, with respect to the head 23a, may thus point towards the front end 3c of the seat base 3. The head 23a is thus accessible from behind the seat assembly 1, which greatly facilitates adjustment of the seat depth.

[0071] As shown in Figs 3-4, the bevelled first edge portion 5d has a slot 5i, which is a first slot, extending parallel with the bracket anchoring structure 5g towards the central section 5f. In examples comprising two bevelled edge portions 5d, 5e, the bevelled second end portion 5e has a second slot 5j extending parallel with the bracket anchoring structure 5g towards the central section 5f. The first slot 5i and the second slot 5j are directed towards each other. The bracket through-opening 5h may open into the central section 5f from the first slot 5i, and from the second slot 5j if present.

[0072] The locking wedge anchoring structure 21a extends downwards from the first slot 5i, aligning with the bracket anchoring structure 5g, as better understood from Fig. 5.

[0073] Figs 6-7 shows the first backrest bracket 5 when installed in the first profiled track 3a of the seat base 3.

[0074] The first backrest bracket 5 and the second backrest bracket 7 may be installed and adjusted as follows. A first locking wedge 19a is slid into the corresponding profiled track 3a, 3b, from e.g., the open rear end 3d of the backrest base 3, followed by sliding the bracket base 5a / backrest bracket 5, 7 into the profiled track 3a, 3b, and finally sliding a second locking wedge 19b into the profiled track 3a, 3b. A fastener 23 is arranged in the wedge through-openings 20 and the bracket through-opening 5h. The fastener 23 may typically be arranged in all three components before they are slid into the profiled track 3a, 3b but could alternatively be mounted afterwards. The fastener 23 is then tightened such that the first and second locking wedges 19a, 19b are fixed to the bracket base 5a. In the example shown in the figures, the first and second locking wedges 19a, 19b will provide a downwards force on the bevelled surface of the bevelled first / second edge portions 5d, 5e, and the locking wedge anchoring structure 21a, 21b will be pressed against the top of the first / second profiled tracks 3a, 3b, i.e., the upward facing surfaces of the locking wedge anchoring structures 21a, 21b are pressed against the downwards facing surfaces designated with reference number 25 in Fig. 7, which according to the example is a crossbar surface of the T-shaped profiled tracks 3a, 3b. Simultaneously, the lower surfaces 5k of the first / second backrest brackets 5, 7, facing the upper surface 3e of the seat base 3, are pressed against the upper surface 3e. The first / second backrest brackets 5, 7 are thereby positionally fixed relative to the seat base 3.

[0075] If the bevelled surface of the bevelled first / second edge portion 5d, 5e would be undercut instead, the first and second locking wedges would instead by arranged underneath the bevelled first / second edge portion 5d, 5e. When fastened by the fastener 23, the first and second locking wedges would in this case be pressed downwards.

[0076] When the seat depth is to be adjusted, the fastener 23 may be loosened and the locking wedges 19a, the first / second backrest bracket 5, 7, and the locking wedges 19b may be slid continuously along the respective first / second profiled track 3a, 3b to a desired position. When the desired position has been reached, the fasteners 23 are tightened and thus the first / second backrest brackets 5, 7 are fixed in a new position along the first / second profiled track 3a, 3b.

[0077] Fig. 7 is an example of a wheelchair 27 comprising a seat assembly 1. The depicted wheelchair 27 is a power wheelchair. Alternatively, the wheelchair 27 may be a manual wheelchair.

[0078] The wheelchair 27 may comprise a chassis, and optionally a tilt and / or lift device for tilting and / or lifting the seat base 3. The seat assembly 1 may be mounted onto the tilt and / or lift device or it may be mounted directly onto the chassis.

[0079] The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few examples. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Seat assembly (1) for a wheelchair (27), comprising: a seat base (3) including a first profiled track (3a), and a second profiled track (3b) extending parallel with the first profiled track (3a), a first backrest bracket (5), a second backrest bracket (7), a backrest assembly (9) mounted to the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket (7), wherein each of the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket (7) has a bracket base (5a) having a bevelled first edge portion (5d), a pair of first locking wedges (19a), and a plurality of fasteners (23), each attaching one of the first locking wedges (19a) to a respective bevelled first edge portion (5d), wherein for each pair of bracket base (5a) and first locking wedge (19a) attached to the bevelled first edge portion (5d) of the bracket base (5a) at least one of the pair of the bracket base (5a) and the first locking wedge (19a) has an anchoring structure (5g, 21a) with a profile shape adapted to engage with one of the first profiled track (3a) and the second profiled track (3b), each anchoring structure (5g, 21a) thereby pressing against one of the first profiled track (3a) and the second profiled track (3b), locking the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket (7) to the seat base (3).

2. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first profiled track (3a) and the second profiled track (3b) are T-shaped.

3. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the profile shape of each anchoring structure (5g, 21a) is T-shaped.

4. Seat assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each bracket base (5a) comprises the anchoring structure (5g) in the form of a bracket anchoring structure (5g) extending from the central section (5f) and engaging with a respective one of the first profiled track (3a) and the second profiled track (3b), allowing the first backrest bracket (5) to slide in the first profiled track (3a) and the second backrest bracket (7) to slide in the second profiled track (3b).

5. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket (7) has a bracket through-opening (5h) extending from the bevelled first edge portion to the central section (5f), wherein each first locking wedge (19a) has a wedge through-opening (20), and wherein each fastener (23) extends through a bracket through-opening (5i) and through the wedge through-opening (20) of a first locking wedge (19a).

6. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bracket through-opening (5i) of the first backrest bracket (5) extends parallel with the first profiled track 3a), and the bracket through-opening of the second backrest bracket (7) extends parallel with the second profiled track (3b).

7. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein each fastener (23) has a head (23a) and an elongate body extending from the head (23a), wherein the head points towards a rear end (3d) of the seat base (3).

8. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in any of claims 5-7, wherein each fastener (23) comprises a screw thread, and the wedge through-openings (20) have an inner surface provided with a thread configured to cooperate with the screw thread.

9. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the bevelled first edge portion (5d) of each one of the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket (7) has an underside facing the seat base (3), and an upper surface which is inclined relative to the seat base (3), and which defines the bevelled structure of the bevelled first edge portion (5d).

10. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket (7) comprises a bevelled second edge portion (5e), wherein the seat assembly (1) comprises a pair of second locking wedges (19b), wherein each fastener (23) attaches one of the second locking wedges (19b) to a respective bevelled second edge portion (5e), wherein for each pair of bracket base (5a) and second locking wedge (19b) attached to the bevelled second edge portion (5e) of the bracket base (5a) at least one of the pair of the bracket base (5a) and the second locking wedge (19b) has an anchoring structure (5g, 21a) with a profile shape adapted to engage with one of the first profiled track (3a) and the second profiled track (3b), each anchoring structure (5g, 21b) thereby pressing against one of the first profiled track (3a) and the second profiled track (3b), locking the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket (7) to the seat base (3).

11. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first backrest bracket (5) and the second backrest bracket (7) comprises a respective anchoring structure (5g), and each locking wedge (19a, 19b) comprises a respective anchoring structure (21b).

12. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the backrest assembly (9) comprises a frame (11) mounted to the first backrest bracket (5) and to the second backrest bracket (7), and a backrest (13) mounted to the frame (11).

13. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the fasteners (23) are two in number.

14. Seat assembly (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the seat base (3) is a seat plate or a seat platform.

15. Wheelchair (27) comprising a seat assembly (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims.