Abstract

Provided herein is an electronically-controlled wheelchair securement system with a winch apparatus that is adapted for pulling and steering a mobility device (e.g., wheelchair, scooter, stretcher, etc.) up and down the ramp of a rear-entry wheelchair accessible vehicle and for providing securement for the mobility device during transport.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 3/06 - Transfer using ramps, lifts or the like
• B66D 3/00 - Portable or mobile lifting or hauling appliances
• B66F 7/24 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts for raising or lowering vehicles by their own power
• A61G 3/08 - Accommodating or securing wheelchairs

Abstract

A retractor may include various features that reduce the amount of space necessary to secure an object, for example, a wheelchair in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the webbing is designed to come off of the top of the retractor spool, which shifts the webbing take-off point from the spool rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In another embodiment, the retractor is provided with a webbing guide that rotates around at least a portion of the circumference of the retractor spool. The rotatable guide also shifts the take-off point from the webbing guide rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In yet another embodiment, the retractor is provided with both a rotatable webbing guide and webbing that comes off of the top of the spool.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60P 7/08 - Securing to vehicle floor or sides
• A61G 3/08 - Accommodating or securing wheelchairs

Abstract

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. In a simpler embodiment, a bumper and two restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures at a wall side of a wheelchair securement area or at a rear side of the wheelchair securement area.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 3/08 - Accommodating or securing wheelchairs

Abstract

The embodiments described and claimed herein are a restraint system for securing a gurney in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a conventional antler and rail-type gurney restraint system is improved by the addition of a center latch restraint that engages with a latch member secured by a support bracket to the underside of the gurney. In one configuration, the latch member enters into engagement with the center latch restraint through lateral movement of the control end of the gurney. In that respect, the EMT may use the same autonomic movements used with the conventional antler and rail-type system to secure the gurney in the vehicle. Optionally, one or more of the gurney occupant restraint belts are directly connected to the support bracket, whereby occupant loads during an accident will bypass the gurney and occupant head excursions can be reduced.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 3/08 - Accommodating or securing wheelchairs
• A61G 1/02 - Stretchers with wheels
• A61G 1/044 - Straps, bands or belts
• A61G 1/056 - Swivelling legs

Abstract

The embodiments described and claimed herein are a restraint system for securing a gurney in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a conventional antler and rail-type gurney restraint system is improved by the addition of a center latch restraint that engages with a latch member secured by a support bracket to the underside of the gurney. In one configuration, the latch member enters into engagement with the center latch restraint through lateral movement of the control end of the gurney. In that respect, the EMT may use the same autonomic movements used with the conventional antler and rail-type system to secure the gurney in the vehicle. Optionally, one or more of the gurney occupant restraint belts are directly connected to the support bracket, whereby occupant loads during an accident will bypass the gurney and occupant head excursions can be reduced.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 3/08 - Accommodating or securing wheelchairs
• A61G 1/02 - Stretchers with wheels
• A61G 1/044 - Straps, bands or belts
• A61G 1/056 - Swivelling legs

Abstract

A retractor may include various features that reduce the amount of space necessary to secure an object, for example, a wheelchair in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the webbing is designed to come off of the top of the retractor spool, which shifts the webbing take-off point from the spool rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In another embodiment, the retractor is provided with a webbing guide that rotates around at least a portion of the circumference of the retractor spool. The rotatable guide also shifts the take-off point from the webbing guide rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In yet another embodiment, the retractor is provided with both a rotatable webbing guide and webbing that comes off of the top of the spool.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 3/08 - Accommodating or securing wheelchairs

Abstract

A retractor may include various features that reduce the amount of space necessary to secure an object, for example, a wheelchair in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the webbing is designed to come off of the top of the retractor spool, which shifts the webbing take-off point from the spool rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In another embodiment, the retractor is provided with a webbing guide that rotates around at least a portion of the circumference of the retractor spool. The rotatable guide also shifts the take-off point from the webbing guide rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In yet another embodiment, the retractor is provided with both a rotatable webbing guide and webbing that comes off of the top of the spool.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 3/08 - Accommodating or securing wheelchairs

Abstract

A winch apparatus adapted to pull and steer a mobility device up and down the ramp of a wheelchair accessible vehicle is provided herein. The winch apparatus includes two motorized tie-down units with retractable restraints adapted to connect to the front corners of the mobility device frame. By varying the motor speed between the two front tie-down units, the mobility device can be steered up the ramp. The mobility device can be directed to the left by increasing the speed of the right tie-down unit, slowing the speed of the left tie-down unit, or both. Similarly, the mobility device can be directed to the right by increasing the speed of the left tie-down unit, slowing the speed of the right tie-down unit, or both. The winch apparatus reduces the strength requirements to load and unload a heavy passenger and wheelchair in and out of vehicle.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 3/08 - Accommodating or securing wheelchairs
• B60P 3/079 - Tie-downs
• A61G 3/06 - Transfer using ramps, lifts or the like

Abstract

A tensioning device is provided for tensioning a retractor in a wheelchair securement system. The tensioning device may include a clutch assembly for communicating rotational movement of a handle to a drive shaft operably connected to the spool of the retractor. The clutch assembly may include a pawl operably connected to the handle, which pawl communicates rotational movement of the handle to a drive sprocket. The clutch assembly may also include a friction member which communicates rotation of the drive sprocket to the drive shaft up to a predetermined amount of rotational force. If the rotational force exceeds the predetermined amount, the friction member will slip and cease to transfer rotational movement from the drive sprocket to the drive shaft. The clutch assembly may also include a compression member for compressing the friction member and drive sprocket whereby the predetermined amount of force may be adjusted.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 3/08 - Accommodating or securing wheelchairs
• B60P 7/08 - Securing to vehicle floor or sides

Abstract

A flooring system (10) for a vehicle having a corrugated floor comprises a plurality of flooring panels (20) supported at their undersides by two or more registration members (30, 40) having locating members (32, 42) and other features for aligning the flooring panels (20) vertically, laterally, and longitudinally. The flooring panels (20) each have at least one longitudinally aligned load-bearing structure, such as in integrated track (24a) or a universal channel (24b) configured to receive a flanged track (21b), filler material (23), or both. The registration members (34, 40) may have depending support members (31, 41) configured to engage in the valleys of the corrugated vehicle floor.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 3/08 - Accommodating or securing wheelchairs
• B60N 2/015 - Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis