Patent ID: 6113325
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
A wheelchair restraint system for a mass transportation vehicle having a longitudinal vehicle axis, said vehicle having a securement area for a wheelchair which includes at least one flip seat, said system comprising:a rear barrier carried at a rear portion of said securement area and disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis;a rear wheelchair attachment assembly carried by said barrier for anchoring said wheelchair to said barrier;said rear wheelchair attachment assembly having at least two rear attachment elements for attachment at two spaced locations to said wheelchair;a personal securement belt assembly for securing a seated wheelchair occupant to said wheelchair in said securement area;a front bulkhead extending generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis at a front portion of said securement area;a front wheelchair attachment assembly for anchoring said wheelchair to said bulkhead;said front wheelchair attachment assembly having at least two front attachment elements for attachment to two spaced locations of said wheelchair and said bulkhead;and said rear wheelchair attachment assembly including a rear retractor mechanism, said rear attachment elements comprising a first rear attachment belt for attachment to a first rear location of said wheelchair and a second rear belt for attachment to a second rear location of said wheelchair spaced from said first location, and a coupling for coupling said first and second belts to said rear retractor mechanism of said rear wheelchair attachment assembly for exerting a force on said wheelchair in a first direction along said vehicle axis, and said front wheelchair attachment assembly including at least one retractor mechanism for exerting a force on said wheelchair in a second direction opposite to said first direction so that said wheelchair is secured between said barrier and bulkhead by said rear and front wheelchair attachment assemblies.