Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090016836 | RETRACTABLE WHEELCHAIR ANCHOR - The inventions described and claimed herein relate to securement devices which are generally used to secure wheelchairs in transit vehicles such as a bus. The preferred embodiment of the inventions is a telescoping arm for a wheelchair anchor which is biased by a spring member or the like in an extended position. The arm is adapted to be at least partially retracted into a housing of the wheelchair anchor, thereby significantly reducing the overall length and size of the wheelchair anchor. The arm of the wheelchair anchor, when unused in the retracted position, protrudes less into an area of the bus which would otherwise be useable by standing passengers. Both the arm and the housing of the wheelchair anchor have securement devices such as restraints attached, such that the wheelchair may be tied down with restraints or the like. The preferred wheelchair anchor also includes a lock and release member which is adapted to lock the arm in the retracted position. | 01-15-2009 |
20090078811 | ANTI-TWIST DEVICE - The embodiments described and claimed herein relate to opening in a housing for a retractor. The opening includes structures which reduce the risk of twisting webbing passing through the opening and, thereby, interfering with the proper functionality of the retractor. The openings can include one or more guide surfaces which incorporate some combination of features which smooth out the webbing as it enters the retractor and/or urge the webbing into alignment with the retractor opening. In addition, or in the alternative, the height of the opening can be modified to closely conform to the maximum thickness of the webbing. The guide surfaces can be integrally formed with the retractor housing or can be provided by an insert piece which attaches to the housing. In one embodiment, the guide surface is disposed along an upper wall of the opening and is curvilinear and outwardly diverging. More specifically, the guide surface has slopes that vary along its length whereby the guide surface is approximately vertical near a leading edge of the guide surface and is approximately horizontal near a trailing edge of the guide surface. | 03-26-2009 |
20090087278 | Barrier With Integrated Wheelchair Restraints - The embodiment described and claimed herein are improved barrier-type wheelchair securement systems. In particular, one embodiment of a barrier includes an integral shoulder belt assembly, two integral wheelchair restraint assemblies, and two integral lap belt assemblies. The wheelchair restraint and lap belt assemblies comprise retractors which can be mounted external or internal to the barrier. The integral shoulder belt assembly could be connected to a vertical telescoping member which is movable from a first position, wherein the telescoping member is housed inside of the barrier, to a second position, wherein the shoulder belt assembly is disposed at a proper height for a wheelchair passenger. Alternatively, the shoulder belt assembly could be rigidly mounted to the barrier in a fixed position, or could be adjustable to accommodate passengers of varying size. | 04-02-2009 |
20090214314 | Wheel Chair Docking System - A docking system for securing a wheelchair into a vehicle in which docking fixtures are firmly attached to the frame of the wheelchair and the floor of the vehicle, either directly or by attachment to a support which is attached to either the frame of the wheelchair or the floor of the vehicle. A male docking fixture is mounted on a support to the underside of the wheelchair, which is positioned in the vehicle so that the male docking fixture and the female docking fixture are aligned and the male docking fixture can be slideably and releasably locked with the female docking fixture. Preferably, the female docking fixture includes an electrically operated, spring loaded, release mechanism, and may also include a slide mechanism to allow limited forward and rearward movement of the wheelchair while under restraint. | 08-27-2009 |
20100092263 | 3-Point Wheelchair Passenger Securement system - The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a drop-in system comprising a barrier module and a wall-side module, which incorporate three separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at three separate attachment points. The system can optionally include a moveable excursion barrier or a pull-mechanism to pre-tension at least one of the restraint devices the wheelchair securements. In a simpler embodiment, three restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures in, for example, a generally right-triangular configuration. | 04-15-2010 |
20130280002 | 3-Point Wheelchair Passenger Securement System - The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a system comprising a barrier module and a wall-side module, which incorporate three separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at three separate attachment points. The system can optionally include a moveable excursion barrier or a pull-mechanism to pre-tension at least one of the restraint devices the wheelchair securements. In a simpler embodiment, three restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures in, for example, a generally right-triangular configuration. | 10-24-2013 |
20140334893 | Two Point Wheelchair Securement System - The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a drop-in system comprising a barrier module and a wall-side module, which incorporate two separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at two separate attachment points and a bumper. The system can optionally include a moveable excursion barrier or a pull-mechanism to pre-tension at least one of the restraint devices the wheelchair securements. | 11-13-2014 |
20150328067 | 3-Point Wheelchair Passenger Securement System - The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a drop-in system comprising a barrier module and a wall-side module, which incorporate three separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at three separate attachment points. The system can optionally include a moveable excursion barrier or a pull-mechanism to pre-tension at least one of the restraint devices the wheelchair securements. In a simpler embodiment, three restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures in, for example, a generally right-triangular configuration. | 11-19-2015 |