Wheelchair securement system and device

The restraint and retractor assembly described and claimed herein are for securing a wheelchair to a support while the wheelchair is in transit. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one securement assembly having a configuration in which a portion of the wheelchair is secured in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the securement assembly includes a retractor secured to the vehicle and a restraint that has both of its ends secured to or near the retractor and a middle segment extends to and from a spool in the refractor, a middle segment is connected to the wheelchair by a connector and passes through an opening in the connector, providing a double length of flexible webbing to secure the wheelchair to the support surface.

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The embodiments described and claimed herein relate generally to wheelchair securement methods, systems, and devices for vehicles.

2. Background Art

Traditionally, two different types of tie-down assemblies (also referred to as tie-downs), have been used to secure a wheelchair inside a vehicle: refractor type tie-downs and manual belt type tie-downs. Both of these types of tie-downs are briefly discussed below, along with their drawbacks.

Refractor type tie-downs are often limited by the strength or material of the restraint being used, and are limited in the way they are currently designed because only one length of the restraint is used when securing the wheelchair. Because of these limitations, the majority of refractors are generally limited to securing a wheelchair having a mass of a 100-120 kg when using two refractors in the rear of the wheelchair. If a wheelchair above these limits is to be secured, three or more retractor tie-downs are required in the rear of the securement area. If the restraint strength is increased, the restraint generally becomes thicker and this means the refractor needs to increase in size to house this restraint (which makes them heavier and more difficult to install or use) or the amount of restraint available is significantly reduced, reducing their reach and limiting their use to very small vehicle installations. In such a scenario, the only way to secure heavy wheelchairs is to use more than two refractors. The disadvantages of using more than two refractors include more clutter on the vehicle floor, which could also result in other passengers tripping over the clutter, additional installation of more tie-downs, which results in more time and cost, improper use of the retractors as it requires drivers or operators to discern when to use multiple refractors on wheelchairs of certain weights, and the arrangement of using more than two refractors is not aesthetically pleasing.

Manual belt type tie-downs are often stronger than the refractor type as the design allows the restraint to be doubled, and as a result they can often secure wheelchairs up to a mass of around 140 kg using two tie-downs in the rear of the location. If a wheelchair above these limits is to be secured, three or more tie-downs are required. Manual tie-downs require more technical operation in order to properly secure a wheelchair as the operator must perform additional steps of adjusting, tightening and locking the restraint, and storing the excess restraint. Tightening of the manual tie-downs require the use of an over-center buckle, ratchet, or similar mechanism which requires two hands and considerable effort, which may, at times, prove to be difficult for many individuals. As such, manual tie-downs are considered more cumbersome to use with the increased risk of improper use, and are, therefore, generally not favored. Further, they are less compact than retractors and take up more storage room. Also, where the vehicle footprint is small and/or the wheelchair tie-down securing locations are low, these tie-downs often need to be very short in length and the minimum length for these systems are inhibited by the buckle or adjuster mechanism from being reduced further in length. When wheelchairs exceeding 140 kg are used, currently three or more tie-downs are required. As noted above, using more tie-downs can lead to increased clutter, misuse, and increased installation costs.

There is a growing concern that wheelchairs are increasing in mass and size, while restraints, tie-downs, and/or securement systems used to secure such wheelchairs have not been properly designed or tested with these larger wheelchairs in mind. For example, some powered wheelchairs can have a mass as high as 200 kilograms (kg), and as a result, standard testing procedures for wheelchair restraints using an 85 kg surrogate wheelchair are not representative of the actual wheelchair masses that may be used in the market.

In addition to the increase in size and mass of wheelchairs in recent years, vehicles are also becoming smaller. As such, the environment and space for securing wheelchairs in these kinds of vehicles is becoming ever more challenging. Personal wheelchair accessible vehicles are often designed to carry one or two wheelchairs, with one sitting behind the other. Fitting the wheelchair into these vehicles often requires the wheelchair to sit on a 10 degree slope, or require that the tie-downs angles used to secure a given wheelchair are set very steep to fit within the space.

To explain by way of an example, standards such as the ISO10542 recommend a maximum rear tie-down angle of 45 degrees. In reality though, the rear tie-down angles are often at 50-55 degrees. This type of geometry can significantly increase the loading in the rear tie-downs, which means that often times, even with a 85 kg wheelchair, current refractor tie-down technology is not suitable or strong enough to work in this environment. The only options available in such a scenario are to revert to a manual belt type tie-down (which are slightly stronger) or modify the vehicle layout which is both time consuming and very costly.

Further, if a heavy wheelchair is to be secured in a small vehicle, then there is often insufficient room to install more than two tie-downs. Often, in these situations the rear tie-downs from the front wheelchair position clash with the front tie-downs from the rear wheelchair positions. This results in either the comfort of the wheelchair passenger being compromised or having to utilize costly vehicle conversions, for example by installing the tie-down refractors under the vehicle floor.

In view of these market changes (e.g., introduction and use of heavier wheelchairs and smaller vehicles), there is an increased demand for tie-downs to be tested with heavier wheelchairs, and a push that standards declare the maximum wheelchair mass that a restraint can secure. An example of such a standard is the UK PAS 2012. When tested to such standard, traditional refractor tie-downs are limited to securing a wheelchair of mass of around 100-120 kg and a belt type tie-down of around 140 kg. If a wheelchair above these limits is to be secured, three or more tie-downs are required in the rear.

Accordingly, there is a need for stronger ‘heavy duty’ securement systems that can be used to secure heavier wheelchairs in smaller vehicles having limited or challenging installation space, and that be used to reduce the number of tie-down assemblies for securing such wheelchairs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, a securement assembly for securing a wheelchair in a vehicle is provided. The securement assembly comprises a retractor secured to the vehicle and a restraint. In the first embodiment, the restraint webbing has one end affixed to and extending from the spool of retractor, has an extendable middle segment slidably passing through an opening of a hook for connecting the webbing and the retractor to the wheelchair, and has an opposite end of the webbing is secured to the vehicle at least near or directly underneath the retractor.

In a second embodiment the securement assembly comprises a retractor, a restraint webbing, and a wheelchair connector. The restraint has a both ends secured to and extending from the spool of retractor, an elongated and extendable middle segment slidably passing through an opening of a hook used to connect the webbing and the retractor to the wheelchair.

Other embodiments are contemplated that could include a combination of the features discussed herein and other features which are known in the art, all of which are contemplated as falling within the claims even if such embodiments are not specifically identified and discussed herein.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments described and claimed herein or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the inventions described herein are not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated. Indeed, it is expected that persons of ordinary skill in the art may devise a number of alternative configurations that are similar and equivalent to the embodiments shown and described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like or similar parts from Figure to Figure in the following detailed description of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first toFIG. 1, one embodiment of a wheelchair securement system10is shown for securing a wheelchair14and its occupant12in a vehicle. As shown inFIG. 1, the wheelchair securement system10includes an occupant restraint system16, wheelchair securement assemblies18a,18b,18c, and18d(or tie-down assemblies18a,18b,18c, and18d), mounting brackets20a,20b,20c, and20d, and22a,22b,22c, and22d. In one embodiment, each wheelchair securement assembly18a,18b,18c, and18dincludes a retractor, a restraint, and a wheelchair connector. As shown inFIG. 1, the securement assembly18aincludes a retractor24a, a restraint26a; the securement assembly18bincludes a refractor24b, and a restraint26b, and a wheelchair connector28b; the securement assembly18cincludes a refractor24c, a restraint26c, and a wheelchair connector28c; and the securement assembly18dincludes a retractor24d, a restraint26dand a wheelchair connector28d.

The wheelchair securement system10as shown is fully-equipped to secure a wheelchair and its occupant. The system10is intended to be disposed in a vehicle such as a bus, car, van, train, aircraft, boat, or the like. The system10can be mounted to the vehicle in many different ways and orientations. In one embodiment, the system10is mounted to a portion of a floor of the vehicle by way of anchorage in the form of mounting brackets20a,20b,20c, and20dthat are designed to fit at various locations along a floor anchorage such as L-track, A-Track or other floor anchorage integral to or carried by a floor or other support that is designed to carry a wheelchair during transit In another embodiment, the system10is mounted to a barrier, backwall, or a sidewall (not shown) in the vehicle by way of mounting brackets20a,20b,20c, and20d. The system10can be oriented in a way that the wheelchair is secured in a forward, rearward, or sideways direction. In addition, the system10can include four tie-down assemblies as shown, or three tie-down assemblies, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,234, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Even further, the system can include controls for changing the state of one or more of the retractors from an unlocked state to a locked state in the manner similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,170, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In operation, each securement assembly18a,18b,18c, and18dworks in conjunction with the other securement assemblies in system10to adequately secure the wheelchair14to the inside of a vehicle. Generally speaking, securement assemblies18a,18b,18c, and18deach operate in a secured configuration or in an unsecured configuration.FIG. 1illustrates the wheelchair14in the secured configuration. In the secured configuration, each securement assembly18a,18b,18c, and18dis connected to a portion of the wheelchair14such that each securement assembly secures, in part, a portion of the wheelchair to the vehicle. In the secured configuration, as shown, each wheelchair connector28a,28b,28c, and28dis adapted to connect its respective restraint26a,26b,26c, and26dto a corresponding frame member of wheelchair14. Each restraint26a,26b,26c, and26dfirst extends from its respective retractor24a,24b,24c, and24dto a corresponding wheelchair connector, loops around or loops through its respective wheelchair connector, and then extends back towards its respective retractor. Each retractor24a,24b,24c, and24d, in turn, is connected to its respective mounting bracket20a,20b,20c, and20dvia anchors22a,22b,22c, and22d. And each mounting bracket20a,20b,20c, and20dis adapted to mount its respective securement assembly18a,18b,18c, and18dto an inside surface of the vehicle.

Each component shown inFIG. 1is discussed in detail below. It should be understood that while the discussion below expressly refers to the wheelchair connector28a, the securement assembly18a, the restraint26a, the retractor24a, the anchor22a, and the mounting bracket20a, the discussion below is also applicable to each of wheelchair connectors28b,28c, and28d, securement assemblies18b,18c, and18d, restraints26b,26c, and26d, retractors24b,24c, and24d, anchors22b,22c, and22d, and mounting brackets20b,20c, and20d.

Wheelchair connector28amay be any of a variety of connectors adapted to connect a portion of the restraint webbing26ato a portion of the wheelchair14. In one embodiment, the wheelchair connector28ais a universal fastener or anchor wherein one end of the fastener is configured to connect to most types of wheelchairs and the other end of the fastener connects to the restraint26a. For example, the wheelchair connector28amay be an S-hook or a J-hook fastener. In another embodiment, the wheelchair connector28ais simply a portion of the restraint webbing26athat loops around a frame member of the wheelchair. In this embodiment, the restraint webbing26awould have a connector at its terminal end that would connect at, near, or to the retractor24a. That connector could be a male tongue that would mate with a female buckle near, at, or on the retractor24a.

Generally speaking, restraint webbing26a(like each of restraints26b,26c, and26d) is any type of restraint that extends away from a retractor to a wheelchair connector, loops around the portion of the wheelchair connector, and then extends back towards its respective refractor. In one embodiment, the restraint webbing26ais a webbing or a strap that is housed within the retractor24athat is adapted to pass through an opening in the retractor24a, and that extends away from the retractor24ato the wheelchair connector28a, loops around a portion of the wheelchair connector28a, and the extends back towards the retractor24a. In this embodiment, the restraint material is webbing or strap. In another embodiment, the restraint can be rope, cord, or cable.

As a general matter, retractor24a(like each of retractors24b,24c, and24d) comprises a housing that defines an interior space in which a restraint is housed, and includes an opening through which a portion of the restraint26passes or extends. In one embodiment, the retractor24aincludes a retractor spool disposed within the housing, wherein the restraint is wound on the retractor spool, wherein a portion of the restraint is adapted to pass from the retractor spool through the opening. The retractor24amay be any retractor, including Q'straint's QRTMAX, QRT Delux, QRT Standard, or QER-4000 retractor products.

Anchor22a(like each of anchors22b,22c, and22d) may be generally any type of fastener or anchor that allows a securement system and/or a retractor to be connected to a mounting bracket or to the inside surface of a vehicle. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the anchor22ais a slide and click disk shaped anchor for use in “L-Track” system that that has extended length (not shown), and allow the retractor to connect to a mounting bracket20aat various locations along the length of the “L-Track”. The anchor may be a bolt, a screw or other form of connection.

Mounting brackets20a(like each of mounting brackets20b,20c, and20d) allows a securement system (e.g., securement system18a) to be installed to a vehicle. InFIG. 1, mounting bracket20ais an “L-track” that is flush mounted to the floor of vehicle. In another embodiment, mounting bracket may a surface rail track for surface mounted installations. In yet another embodiment, mounting bracket may be bracket that allows securement system18ato be installed on a barrier, seating module, or sidewall of the vehicle. Other embodiments are also possible.

It should be understood that the system10illustrated inFIG. 1is exemplary in nature. As such, system10may not necessarily include the occupant shoulder restraint system16, and may include other components or features not shown. For instance, in one embodiment, securement assemblies18a,18b,18c, and18dconnect directly to the inside of the vehicle without first connecting to mounting brackets20a,20b,20c, and20d. As another example, in one embodiment, wheelchair connector28ais part of the securement assembly18a, whereby the restraint webbing26aitself connects to the wheelchair. As yet another example, in one embodiment, system10may include only two or three of the four securement assemblies18a,18b,18c, and18dshown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary securement assembly18afromFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2, the securement assembly18aincludes the retractor24a, the restraint webbing26a, and a restraint38, each of which is discussed in turn below. While the preferred (and commonly used) material for the restraint is webbing, other flexible material may be used, such as cable, rope and any other flexible and elongate material.

Retractor24acomprises a housing30. The housing30defines an interior space in which a restraint is housed, and includes an opening (not shown inFIG. 2) through which the restraint passes as it winds on an off a spool inside the housing30of the retractor24a. As shown inFIG. 2, the housing30includes a laterally extending tongue40which includes a hole42through which an anchor22acan be affixed thereby allowing the refractor24ato be mounted to the mounting bracket20a(shown inFIG. 1) or an inside surface of the vehicle.

Restraint webbing26agenerally is adapted to form a closed loop around a portion of the wheelchair connector28a. As discussed below in connection withFIGS. 4 and 5, wheelchair connector28ais any type of connector that is adapted to connect to a portion of the wheelchair14. As shown inFIG. 2, in the secured configuration, the restraint webbing26aextends from the retractor24atowards the wheelchair connector28a, loops around a portion of the wheelchair connector28a, and then extends back towards the retractor24a, thereby forming a closed loop around a portion of the wheelchair connector. This arrangement of having the restraint webbing26aextend from the retractor24a, loop around and extend back towards the retractor24ahas several advantages, some of which are discussed below.

First, the closed loop arrangement advantageously increases the strength of the securement assembly18ato enable heavy wheelchairs, such as powered wheelchairs, to be secured or wheelchairs to be secured in a challenging environment without having to redesign the wheelchair installation space. In particular, the closed loop arrangement increases the retractor effective strength by doubling the restraint webbing26abetween a wheel chair and a vehicle, while maintaining the core functionality of the retractor24a—such as its size, self tensioning etc.

The closed-loop arrangement is different from a tongue and buckle restraint that is typically used in prior art manual belt type tie-downs because a tongue and buckle loop does not increase the capacity of a retractor—it merely acts as a securement hook. Second, the closed-loop arrangement minimizes the clutter on the vehicle floor compared to the prior art 4 tie-downs or 2 manual belt tie-downs which are traditionally needed to secure heavier wheelchair. Third, the closed-loop arrangement increases the speed of installation compared to the installation of 4 tie-downs or installation of 2 manual belt-tie downs, and reduces the amount of floor anchorages required in the vehicle floor compared to 4 tie-downs. Fourth, the closed-loop arrangement minimizes the likelihood of misusing securement assembly18agiven that restraint webbing26acan be used to secure heavier wheelchairs. Fifth, the overall dimensions of the restraint webbing26aare maintained and hence no increased amount of space within the vehicle is required. This is a significant advantage as installation space is becoming limited as vehicles are getting smaller. Sixth, in one embodiment, the securement assemblies are used on the rear for all wheelchair weights up to the retractor limit. As such, the securement assemblies described herein are advantageously used where steep rear tie-down angles or vehicle floor angles exist given that these angled arrangements often increase the load in the tie-downs or restraints beyond their capability.

Returning toFIG. 2, the restraint webbing26aincludes a first end32affixed to the spool of the retractor30, an extendable middle segment34, and an opposite end36, which, preferably, is attached to the structure in which the wheelchair is to be secured at the same location as the tongue40retractor24a. As shown inFIG. 2, the first end32is connected to the extendable middle segment34, which in turn is connected to the opposite end36. In a secured configuration of the securement assembly18a, the restraint webbing26aat least in part forms a closed loop extending through an opening in the wheelchair connector28a. As shown inFIG. 2, the loop begins at first end32and extends to the opposite end36.

As a general matter, the first end32comprises a portion of the restraint webbing26athat is generally disposed inside the retractor26aand is fixed to a spool (not shown) therein. The extendable middle segment34generally comprises a portion of the restraint webbing26athat is adapted to loop through an opening in the wheelchair connector28a. The opposite end36generally comprises a portion of the restraint webbing26athat is disposed at the point of connection of the retractor24ato the vehicle. This arrangement takes advantage of the same connecting hardware used fasten both the retractor24aand the opposite end36of the webbing.

The terminal segment36could, alternatively be connected to a portion of the outside surface of the housing30. In yet another embodiment, the terminal segment36could be connected to a portion on an inside surface of the housing30. In still yet another embodiment, the opposite end36may be connected to the restraint, near but at a location that is different from the location where the retractor24ais fastened to the structure to which the wheelchair is being secured.

Restraint connector38is any type of connector or anchor that is capable of forming a connection between to the opposite end36of the restraint26aand the structure to which the wheelchair is being secured. As shown inFIG. 2, the restraint connector38forms a tongue that is aligned with the tongue40of housing30. In this embodiment, the anchor22acan be used to anchor both the opposite end36and the tongue40to the mounting bracket20a. It should be understood that connector38may take many different forms. For example, in one embodiment, the restraint connector may comprises a female portion of a buckle and the opposite end may carry a male portion of the buckle such that the male and female portions mate, whereby the restraint webbing form an openable loop. As another example, in one embodiment, the restraint connector38is integrally attached to a part (such as the housing30) of the retractor24a.

It should be understood that the securement assembly18ainFIG. 2is exemplary in nature, and may include other components, and may be configured in different ways. For example, securement assembly may not include a restraint connector38, such that the opposite end36is adapted to attach to a surface that is located near but separate from the location where the retractor24ais connected to the structure to which the wheelchair is being secured.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of securement assembly18b. In this embodiment, both ends (not shown) of the restraint webbing26bpass through the opening44in the retractor housing30b, and the webbing26balso passes through an opening in the wheelchair connector28b, such two parts of the extendable middle segment extend from the housing30b. In this embodiment the opposite end36may be affixed through an inside surface of the housing to the tongue by which the housing is affixed to the anchor. In an alternative version, similar toFIG. 3, the opposite end36bmay be affixed to the spool (not shown), in which case the amount of length of the webbing that passes through the opening of the hook28bwould be relatively small, i.e., only enough to account for the differing rates taken up by winding both ends of the webbing around the same spool in the retractor.

FIG. 4depicts one possible embodiment of a wheelchair connector28a. The wheelchair connector28acomprises a J-hook62having a first end58and a second end60. As shown, the extendable middle segment34of the restraint webbing26ais adapted to pass through an opening in the second end60of the wheelchair connector28a. To reduce webbing friction between the wheelchair connector28aand the distal segment34of the restraint26a, a sleeve bearing (FIG. 5) can be place on the second end60of the wheelchair connector28a. The clip64ofFIG. 5is one example of such a bearing. The clip64comprises a C-shaped clip that includes a curved outside surface66and a curved inside surface68to fit loosely around the bent wire that forms the second end60of the connector28a. The inside surface68of the clip64is adapted to connect to the second end60of the hook62shown inFIG. 4. The clip64is adapted to rotate freely around the second end60of the hook62such that the inside surface68comprises a bearing surface that allows the clip64to rotate freely. In another embodiment, the clip64is attached fixedly to the second end60of the hook62such that the outside surface66acts as the bearing surface for the restraint webbing26a. As webbing may tend to fray, placement of a low-friction material or a sleeve bearing on the connector at the opening will enhance the life of the webbing that passes through the opening in the connector28a, each time the restraint is used.

It should be noted that the connector shown and described herein is a J-hook, it should be noted that many different connector may be used, including a variety of other hooks or multi-component assemblies, so long as they safely and quickly connect the restraint to as structural component of the wheelchair to be secured. Possible alternative connectors include: S-hooks, Caribiner-hooks, Wire-hooks, Narrow Hooks and male-female buckles, and many others. Similarly, while the restraint shown herein is the usual fabric-based webbing (as is commonly seen in seat belts, but perhaps heavier), other tension-carrying materials are suitable, and include cable, wire, synthetic line and rope.

Although the inventions described and claimed herein have been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventions described and claimed herein can be practiced by other than those embodiments, which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. For example, the embodiments shown herein include webbing as the flexible restraint material, which is commonly used in vehicle restraint systems, but this is only exemplary, and those skilled in the art will be aware that other flexible restraining materials may be used. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.