Wheelchair Frames

Folding frames

Folding frames are popular because of their portability.

Generally, they fold from side to side and will fit into the trunks of many models of cars. The disadvantages of folding frames is they are heavier than non folding frame (rigid) wheelchairs and have more moving parts which are subject to wear. Pictured is the Invacare 9000 SL.

Non folding frame

Non folding frame wheelchairs are of benefit to those who are very active users and people who suffer from a lack of strength and find pushing a folding frame chair difficult. Because there are fewer parts in a non folding frame, the frames are stronger for active users and lighter for those have don't have the strength to push a folding frame chair. Users who have arm,  hand or shoulder problems can also find the rigid chairs easier to push. In addition to the lightness of rigid chairs, there is none of the flexing of the frame that can be found in folding frame chairs. Frames which flex require more strength and energy to propel. Users of rigid wheelchairs must have fairly good upper body strength and balance to sit properly as there is little back support. Pictured is the Invacare A-6 rigid wheelchair.

Standing frame wheelchairs

Standing frame wheelchairs can be of benefit to users when equipment weight and portability are not issues. Standing frame wheelchairs are designed to enable users who cannot stand the ability to stand. They incorporate a mechanism, which can be manual or electric, which actually push the user to a standing position. In order to prevent the user from falling while in the standing position, chest straps, seat belts and knee blocks are incorporated into the chair. Reaching upper shelves in stores, using ATMs and pay phones, reaching upper cupboards in the home are not issues for users of this type of wheelchair. When in the standing position, manual standing frame wheelchairs will not roll and the user must lower to the sitting position in order to change locations. Standing, for a wheelchair user, has a beneficial effect on the bones and muscles of the legs, the user's circulation, bladder function, digestion and respiration that can't be achieved in any other way.

Pictured is the Levo Active Easy Wheelchair which is distributed in Canada by Advanced Healthcare. Levo also manufactures a manual wheelchair with a power stand up feature called a Levo LCEV.

Tilting frame Wheelchairs

Tilting frame wheelchairs are chairs which will tilt the user back for comfort, pressure relief or to enable some daily living activities. Although some pediatric versions of tilting wheelchairs will fold, most do not and are not easily transported unless a vehicle designed for wheelchair transport is used. People who require tilting wheelchairs are not normally able to propel the chairs themselves as these are heavy wheelchairs. A tilt frame wheelchair changes the position and pressure points on a user while not compromising seating position. When tilting the hip and knee positions are not changed. Users of tilting frame chairs who are afflicted with high muscle tone tend to relax when tilted. People who are subject to pressure sores will benefit from frequent changes of position to change pressure points. People who cannot lift their head will quite often benefit from tilt chairs as when tilted, they are able to look around and are not forced to continually look into their lap. Pictured is the Invacare Solara Tilt wheelchair.

Reclining wheelchairs

Reclining wheelchairs are rarely used today but are still available and are of some use to some users. Recliners open the hip angle when the user is reclined which is beneficial when changing catheters, resting or achieving a satisfactory head position. The downfall of these chairs is they are heavy and unless equipped with elevating leg rests, compromise seating position by allowing the hips to slide forward while in the reclined position. This sliding of the hips is called shearing and will contribute to the creation of pressure sores. Reclining wheelchairs are often used for short terms by people who have broken their legs or have had some type of treatment which require seating where the hips are open or legs extended. Pictured is the Quickie Recline wheelchair.

Frame Materials

Wheelchair frames, regardless of type, usually are available in a variety of materials. Folding frame chairs, Tilting frame chairs, Reclining frame chairs and Standing frame chairs are usually available with steel or aluminum frames. Rigid frame chairs are usually available with aluminum and titanium frames. Steel frames are cheap, strong and heavy. Aluminum frame chairs are a bit more expensive, much lighter and while not as strong as a steel frame they are usually strong enough for the majority of users. Titanium chairs are very strong, very light and very expensive and are usually only used by wheelchair athletes and very active daily users. Pictured is a Ti Titanium frame wheelchair.