Abstract:
Anchorage devices are disclosed for use in an anchorage system, especially for vehicle seats, using a floor track having a longitudinal channel whose opening has opposed lips with a series of periodic circular cut-outs. The anchorage device has enlarged slidable feet ( 104 ) which are insertable into the opening of the track channel at the cut-outs, and when slid along are held captive beneath the lips of the track. A releasable locking mechanism is provided for locking the device longitudinally to the track, so that the feet ( 104 ) can be held in the captive position. Preferably the device has an elongate body, with the locking mechanism operated by a lever at one end. The top surfaces ( 143 ) of at least some of the feet ( 104 ) are longitudinally inclined relative to the longitudinal direction. When slid to the captive position they come into contact or near contact with the underside of the track lips, reducing or preventing rattle relative to the track.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention has to do with systems for anchoring articles by means of track or rail formations. It has particular application for anchoring objects in vehicles, such as vehicle furniture e.g. seats, and restraints such as straps and the like. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is well known to adapt the floors of vehicles (such as vans, minibuses and coaches) for the securing of furniture, seating, wheelchairs or other objects at any of a range of locations with variable position according to need. Typically this is by one or more tracks fixed onto or integrated into the vehicle floor. The tracks have an upwardly-open internal channel, usually formed using extruded aluminum, and the top opening of the channel—extending the length of the track—is defined between opposed overhanging lips or flanges. 
         [0003]    The most popular track format (seen in  FIG. 1 ) is “scalloped” track  6  in which the channel opening  62  is interrupted by a series of periodic enlargements, usually of a circular outline. Each lip or flange  61  has a regular series of cut-outs  64  opposed to corresponding cut-outs  64  on the opposite lip  61 . Opposed cut-out pairs constitute wide parts  62 W or enlargements of the track opening. Opposed straight lip edges  63  between cut-outs provide narrow parts  62 N of the track opening. 
         [0004]    Anchorage devices usable with such track have one or more slidable foot portions with a laterally-enlarged bottom part dimensioned to be insertable into the track at a wide part but which when slid along about half a track cut-out period spacing (half a step) is held captive beneath the lips at the narrower part. An intermediate-height foot part, above the lateral bottom part, is narrower so that it can slide along into the narrow track part. One or more such slidable feet anchor the device against being pulled up away from the track. 
         [0005]    It is necessary in some manner to lock the device longitudinally in position relative to the track so that the slidable foot cannot slide from the captive position to a removal/insertion position aligned with a track cut-out. Accordingly it is usual for an anchorage device additionally to have one or more non-slidable protrusions, dimensioned to project into a cut-out but unable to slide through the narrow parts. Such non-slidable protrusion(s) may transfer operational longitudinal loads from the anchorage device to the track as well as holding the slidable foot portion(s) in the captive position. 
         [0006]    To be able to engage/disengage both slidable feet and non-slidable protrusions with a track, the anchorage device must provide for some relative movement between them. One conventional way is by forming a non-slidable protrusion as a “plunger”, positioned about half a step out relative to the slidable foot portion(s) and movable in the device towards and away from the track so that it can be lowered into a track cut-out after the slidable foot portion has been inserted into the track and slid to the captive position. Alternatively it is known to provide a mechanism in the device to shift a slidable foot portion and a non-slidable protrusion longitudinally relative to one another in the device, changing their spacing from being in step (and thereby insertable/removable together in relation to the track) to being substantially half a step out of step (and thereby held captive). 
         [0007]    These rail fixing systems are widely used because of their versatility and ease of use. Fixtures do not need to be slid into the track from the end, but can be inserted into it at any point along its length. One particular use of current importance is in the securing of seats, wheelchairs or related or other fittings in vehicles e.g. vehicles designed for use by elderly and/or disabled people. For example, wheelchairs are conventionally secured by a set of four restraining straps, one at each corner secured by respective anchorages to a pair of parallel floor tracks at either side of the wheelchair. Each anchorage may be attached to a simple belt or strap with a clip, karabiner or buckle, adjustable belt, retractable and/or tensionable belt on a reel or any other suitable device or fitting. Or, the two sides of a seat may be rigidly secured down to securement means provided on an anchorage device at either side of the seat, to engage a respective track. Alternatively such anchorage devices may be incorporated into a seat base or leg structure. 
         [0008]    It is known to provide means for avoiding or reducing play or “rattle” between a device of the kind described and the track to which it is fixed. In general a tight fit of the feet in the track channel is avoided because it makes the devices hard to insert and slide into position. Also the dimensions of different tracks—the channel depth, width, and the metal thickness at the lips—can vary and this must be accommodated. Accordingly some known anchorage devices—particularly those used for rigid seat fixtures where play, shifting and rattling are especially undesirable—incorporate mechanisms for clamping or gripping against the track in the captive position. See for example GB-A-2219493 and GB-A-2315013. However such mechanisms tend to be complex in structure e.g. requiring a tall construction, or central access to a long-form anchor, or are awkward to operate, or are incompatible with systems using insertable feet in scalloped track. 
       THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    One preferred object herein is to provide anchorages with novel means for reducing play or “rattle”. 
         [0010]    What we propose is that, in an anchorage device of the kind described having an anchoring formation comprising at least one slidable foot portion, an upwardly-directed surface of at least one said slidable foot portion—being a top surface of the lateral enlargement, which in the captive position of the device will be opposed to the underside of a track lip at the narrow part—is longitudinally inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the device. That is, in use in relation to a track taken as horizontal, the upwardly-directed surface is inclined non-horizontally in the longitudinal direction. Usually the anchorage device has a body with a downwardly-directed surface or undersurface, and the vertical clearance between this undersurface and the inclined upwardly-directed foot surface converges longitudinally. 
         [0011]    Preferably the upwardly-directed foot surface is longitudinally inclined in the same direction over at least 50%, more preferably at least 70% or 80% and most preferably over substantially all of its longitudinal length. The angle of longitudinal inclination relative to the horizontal (“horizontal” being as understood from the above) is preferably at least 5°, more preferably at least 10°. It is usually less than 25°, more preferably less than 20°. It may steepen from the lower end (“front end”) to the higher end. 
         [0012]    Desirably such longitudinally-inclined upwardly-directed foot surface is present on more than one foot portion and/or on both left and right sides of a foot portion. Desirably it has the same inclination conformation on all foot portion surfaces on which it is present. 
         [0013]    The purpose of this feature is that as the foot portion is slid along a track from the insertion position to the captive position, the or each inclined upwardly-directed foot surface will at some stage of the movement come into compressive contact (or near-contact) with the underside of the corresponding track lip (flange). When this contact or near-contact is made, an anti-rattle, play-reducing or play-eliminating effect is achieved directly, without a supplementary clamping operation being needed. Therefore the device does not need and preferably does not have any play-eliminating mechanism of the type which moves one or more foot portions vertically or laterally in relation to a body of the device, to clamp the track flange or expand in the track channel. A longitudinal movement may be enough. 
         [0014]    In preferred embodiments the foot portion has a circular or part-circular outline, e.g. to fit conventional “scalloped” track. Plural feet may be on discrete respective intermediate-height stems. More preferably they are formed as longitudinally-local lateral projections at the bottom of a central keel formation which is at the intermediate height and can fit between the track flanges. The mentioned top surfaces need not be inclined laterally, but in some embodiments a slight outward lateral down-slope may assist conformity with the underside of the track flange (and is known per se). 
         [0015]    The extent of longitudinal movement required for contact will depend to some extent on the dimensions and relative dimensions including the thickness of the track flange and the angle of the foot surface longitudinal incline. As mentioned, the anchorage device should comprise releasable means, especially manually operable, for locking the longitudinal position of the device relative to the track and/or transferring longitudinal loads in the captive position. This may be a non-sliding protrusion operable as a plunger, or a non-sliding protrusion relative to which the sloping-topped foot portion(s) of the present proposal is/are longitudinally movable in the device, e.g. drivable by a mechanism comprised in the device, between an insertion/removal spacing and a locked captive spacing. 
         [0016]    It is also possible to provide a fine adjustment mechanism whereby a longitudinal difference, preferably a preset difference, between these two spacings can be adjusted to control the exact longitudinal foot position in the locked captive state and thereby optimise contact of the inclined foot top surface(s) against the underside of the track flange. For this reason it is usually preferred to use a non-sliding protrusion relative to which the inclined-top foot portion(s) of the present proposal is/are longitudinally movable in the device, because such mechanisms are more easily adapted to include a longitudinal spacing fine adjustment. However the present characteristic sloping-topped feet may be semi-slidable i.e. unable to slide further after contacting the track flange underside, and able to escape to a removal position only in the return direction. This indicates a further alternative embodiment for locking by having plural sloping-topped feet—e.g. in two sets thereof—movable longitudinally relative to one another between an insertion/removal spacing and a locked captive spacing, and with their slopes oppositely directed. An ordinary non-slidable protrusion is then optional because one set constitutes releasable locking means in relation to the other. A fine adjustment mechanism for the spacing is still desirable. 
         [0017]    The anchorage device may also comprise one or more other slidable feet without such longitudinally-inclined top surface. These may be at an unchanging longitudinal position relative to the sloping-topped feet, e.g. slidable in unison with the sloping-topped feet relative to a fixed non-slidable protrusion. 
         [0018]    Where a relative longitudinal movement is provided as mentioned above, the device preferably comprises a drive mechanism for driving movement at least in the sense from the insertion/removal spacing to the locked captive spacing. The drive mechanism may be non-reversible in that sense, to prevent accidental release. For example it may automatically lock at the captive position, e.g. by an over-center mechanism, and/or by tripping a sprung locking pin, and then require a separate release operation (e.g. by manually actuating a release control) to allow return to the insertion/removal state. Or, in or as in a screw thread drive, it may have a much larger mechanical advantage in one direction than in the other. 
         [0019]    One preferred embodiment of the anchorage device, suitable e.g. as a seat securement, has an elongate body with a non-slidable protrusion adjacent one end for longitudinal location, one or more sloping-topped feet at an intermediate position to prevent rattling and one or more non-sloping-topped feet adjacent the other end for resistance to pulling out of the track. A drive mechanism may move both the one or more sloping-topped feet and the one or more non-sloping-topped slidable feet together relative to the non-slidable protrusion. Desirably a single actuating member, preferably at or adjacent one end of the device, operates the drive mechanism. Desirably it is a manually-actuable mechanism. Preferably the non-slidable protrusion is fixed relative to the main body or chassis of the device. The device body may constitute a seat portion, e.g. a leg part or support, or may have engagement means such as bolt holes or sockets on its upper side for fixing such components to it. 
         [0020]    Aspects of the invention include anchorage devices of the kind described, anchorage systems including an anchorage device and one or more corresponding tracks, a vehicle comprising such a system, and articles comprising such anchorage devices whether integrally or as an attachment. Preferred embodiments include seats, seat anchorages and restraint straps. Further aspects include methods of securing or restraining objects in vehicles, especially to vehicle floors, especially seating, using anchorage systems and anchorage devices as described. One or more of the anchorage devices may be secured to the track and then to an object to be restrained, or vice versa, or the object to be restrained may integrally comprise one or more of the anchorage devices which is/are secured to the track. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example, including the best mode known to the inventors, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a typical track (already described above); 
           [0023]      FIGS. 2(   a ),( b ) show a conventional anchorage formation or set of feet usable with the  FIG. 1  track,  FIG. 2(   b ) being a side view of the anchorage formation and  FIG. 2(   a ) being a horizontal section at A-A showing the feet from above; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 3(   a ), ( b ) are views corresponding to  FIGS. 2(   a ), ( b ) but showing a set of feet or anchorage formation which is a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 4(   a ), ( b ) are corresponding views of a further anchorage formation or set of feet which is a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  shows an anchorage device embodying the invention resting on a track in an insertion/removal position, the track being shown in vertical median section; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  shows the anchorage device of  FIG. 5  actuated to bring it to the captive state relative to the track; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are enlarged views of the actuator handle of the anchorage device showing different conditions of a fine adjustment mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    The conventional anchorage formation shown in  FIG. 2  comprises three feet (or pairs of feet)  4  projecting out laterally to either side of a central keel formation  3 .  FIG. 2(   b ) also shows a top body portion  1  which enlarges laterally above the keel  3 , presenting a downwardly-directed surface  11  which in use rests on top of the track flanges  61 . The anchorage formation has a flat bottom surface  41  common to the keel  3  and feet  4 . The width of the keel  3  is always less than the width of the narrow parts  62 N of the track channel, so that once the feet  4  have been dropped down through the cut-outs  64  forming the wide parts  62 W, the formation can move freely along the track. Each foot  4  has a circular plan shape fitting easily through the circular-plan cut-outs  64  of the track, and provided by lateral projections with circularly-arcuate edges  41  from the side of the keel formation  3 . Usually the top surfaces  43  of the feet  4  incline slightly outwardly and downwardly as shown, to match a corresponding slight lateral convergence at the edges of the inverted-T channel profile of the track  6 . The feet projections  4  are a loose fit in the channel track, and the vertical clearance y (see  FIG. 2(   b )) between the top surface  43  of each foot and the downward surface  11  of the body  1  is greater than the track flange thickness so that, as is well known, even with the formation moved to a captive position (the feet aligned with the narrow parts of the track channel) it can still shift slightly vertically, laterally and rotationally unless special measures are taken to prevent this. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows an anchorage formation, not a complete anchoring device. As is well known, such a device may have an anchoring formation and a body  1  carrying a plunger positioned half a step (0.5 x) out relative to the feet so that it can be lowered non-slidably into a cut-out  64  region of the track to hold the device in the captive position. Or, an anchorage formation as shown may be one of plural anchoring formations on the underside of an anchorage device. The anchorage formation with slidable feet may be fixed, or longitudinally moveable in the device, as discussed previously.  FIGS. 2 to 4  are presented to show the features of the foot projections rather than details of anchorage devices comprising them. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a formation embodying our new proposals. In the conventional formation of  FIG. 2 , the top foot surfaces  43  were longitudinally horizontal. In  FIG. 3  the corresponding feet  104  have the same circular outline and flat undersurface  141 , but their top surfaces  143  are inclined longitudinally, as indicated by the angle a at the right-hand side of the figure. This angle is preferably between 10 and 20°, e.g. about 15°. As before, the upper surfaces  143  also slope down laterally. All of the feet  104  on both sides have the same top surface inclination, in the same direction. The formation thus becomes directional, with a forward direction indicated “F” in  FIG. 3 . Each foot accordingly has a low end  431  and a high end  433 , with the clearance y 1  between the foot surface  143  at the low end  431  and the body undersurface  11  being substantially larger than the clearance y 2  at the high end  433 . The absolute distance and relative difference depends on the dimensions and shapes of the track and feet, but usually y 1  is at least 1.5 and preferably at least 2 times y 2 . 
         [0032]    The sloping top surfaces  143  slope at a generally constant angle from the low end to the high end. In this embodiment the slope continues all the way to the high (rear) end of each foot. 
         [0033]    In use, the formation is inserted in the track in the usual way. The dimensions are selected so that clearance y 2  at the rear ends of the feet is slightly less than the track flange or lip thickness adjacent the cut-outs  64 . The formation must therefore be slid forwardly (in the direction of F), the low ends  431  of the feet initially easily passing under the flange with large clearance, and the clearance then decreasing until the convergence between the foot top surfaces  143  and the horizontal undersurface  11  of the body  1  clamps the track flanges adjacent the respective cut-outs and the formation will slide no further. Importantly, in this condition the formation is clamped and does not rattle or shift in the track. Provided that the corresponding anchorage device provides some means for maintaining it in this longitudinal position, an anti-rattle feature is therefore achieved without any separate mechanism being required. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a variant in which fixed intermediate-height abutments are provided in the slidable formations, according to the proposals in our EP-A-2206623 and GB-A-2466801, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The inclined top surface  243  of the foot  204  does not continue all the way to the back. At the intermediate height region between the foot surface  243  and the body undersurface  11 , but within the plan circular shape envelope of the foot, the formation has a fixed lateral projection  33  with front and rear arcuate shoulder surfaces  34 , 35  corresponding generally to the arc curvature of the track cut-outs  64 . In the embodiment shown, each foot has a pair of these shoulder abutments, one to each side. 
         [0035]    When slid forward from the insertion position, the convergence between the inclined foot surface  243  and the body under surface  11  can lead to a clamping anti-rattle engagement with the track flange. Additionally, provided that the track flange thickness is well matched to the dimensions of the anchorage formation, the forward abutment shoulder faces  34  meet or approach close to the arcuate edges of the track flange cut-outs  64 . Thus, movement necessarily stops before the circular foot outline lies entirely beneath the narrow track portion  62 N, but the presence of the fixed intermediate-height shoulder abutments provides substantial longitudinal load-bearing capacity. Of course, for effective anti-rattle clamping it is preferred that the convergent surface grips or presses against the underside of the flange so it may be that the abutment shoulders  34  stop slightly short of the flange shoulders. However, they still provide additional longitudinal strength. 
         [0036]    As explained previously, formations as in  FIGS. 3 and 4  constitute only part of an anchorage device. The device needs at least one counter-formation by means of which the sloping-topped feet are held in their clamped engagement with the track. A range of possibilities for this was discussed above in the introduction, as was the desirability of a facility for fine longitudinal adjustment of the locked position relative to the track so that the anchorage can be used over a range of track flange thickness. 
         [0037]    The skilled person will appreciate that not all the feet need to be the same. For example the fixed shoulder abutments can be effective in any number. Usually the longitudinally inclined top surface conformations are provided on all feet in a set, to maximise grip, although in principle feet in the set lacking such a conformation will still provide security against pulling out of the track, so at the limit even a single foot with the sloping top surface will have a useful effect. Moreover the number of feet in a set is freely variable according to requirements. They need not all be spaced at single period spacings x. Also, the skilled person is aware that the keel type intermediate structure is only one preferred possibility and a series of longitudinally-spaced individual keels or central foot stems (mushroom form) is also possible. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 5 to 8  show an anchorage device embodying these proposals. 
         [0039]    The device consists generally of a rigid elongate chassis or body  12  with a generally flat horizontal undersurface  121 . Projecting down from the front end of the device is a single rigid and fixedly-mounted locating boss  51 , substantially cylindrical in shape and able to fit closely and non-slidably into a wide portion  62 W of the track: this engagement serves as an initial locator and reaction point when fitting the device. 
         [0040]    The rear half of the chassis  12  houses a longitudinally-slidable carriage  55  which at its front end (adjacent the longitudinal center of the device) carries a set  52  of anchoring formations  104  in accordance with the invention, substantially of the shape seen in  FIG. 3 . At its rear end, adjacent the rear end of the device chassis  12 , the carriage  55  has a set of feet  304  with longitudinally-horizontal top surfaces  343 , i.e. not embodying the present proposal, although they are provided with intermediate-height fixed abutment portions  333  similar to those shown as an option in  FIG. 4 . The carriage  55  is mounted slidably in an internal longitudinal cavity of the chassis  12  and is very strongly held within it. The top of the chassis  12  has one or more securing formations  123 , not shown in detail, which may be of any kind suitable for attaching articles such as seating to be held on the track  6  e.g. bolts, threaded holes, eyes or the like. 
         [0041]    At the rear end of the chassis  12  an operating lever  13  is pivotally mounted for movement between a release position ( FIG. 5 ) and a locked position ( FIG. 6 ). Operation of the lever or handle  13  slides the carriage  55  between the release condition (in which there is a whole number of period spacings “nx” between the front locating protrusion  51  and the moveable slidable protrusions  52 , 53 ) and the locked position in which (as indicated in  FIG. 6 ) the difference is no longer an integral multiple of x but about half a step out. In the expression “(n−q)x”, n is an integer, x is the periodic spacing and q is a fraction of about half, typically from 0.4 to 0.6 (according to the state of adjustment of the operating mechanism, discussed below). The operating handle  13  drives the carriage via an operating mechanism seen in more detail in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , where half of the handle casing  135  is removed to show pivoted drive link members  138 , 139 , the rear link  138  being pivoted at the bottom coaxially with the handle itself and the front link  139  connecting, via a pivoted pusher link guided by a transverse pin  149  running in a guide slot  124  of the chassis side wall, to the carriage  55  which carries the foot formations  52 , 53 . 
         [0042]    The handle includes also a stop formation  133  which defines and limits the forward movement of the handle  13  by meeting the top of the chassis  12 . In the forward position of the handle ( FIG. 6 ) the drive mechanism reaches an over-center state and is stable against reverse operation; additionally or alternatively a separate lock mechanism with an exposed release button  132  on the front of the lever (and positioned in a recess of the casing  135  so that it is not accidentally released) engages to hold the captive state, and is releasable to allow the lever to be swung back, sliding the carriage  55  to the release position. 
         [0043]    A fine adjustment mechanism  153  has a threaded adjuster which controls the limit angle between the drive links  138 , 139  and thereby (as can be seen by comparing the positions of the guide pin  149  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , which show the respective extremes of the adjustment) controls how far the carriage  55  is advanced when the lever  13  is swung to the locked forward position. This adjustment, which can be made through an opening in the casing of the lever  13 , enables the advance of the carriage—and hence the degree of clamping achieved by the sloping-topped locking formations  52 —to be suited to the dimensions of the track. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 5 to 8  also show a rear support wheel  15  on the rear end of the chassis, co-axial with the control lever  13 . This is to help support the device as it is moved into position and is in itself a known feature. 
         [0045]    Considering the performance of the device as a whole, the anti-rattle function is provided near the middle of the elongate chassis  12 , while the non-sloping slidable formations with the additional longitudinal abutment shoulder are provided adjacent the rear end. The rear end is the position where maximum vertical pull resistance (especially vertical) is needed in the event of an accident, hence the large number of feet at this position. The central part is where rattling is most likely to arise and therefore is most effectively eliminated by the positioning of the novel sloping foot formations. The front part provides longitudinal load-bearing in combination with the fixed abutments at the rear end. Usually it does not need to resist pulling out of the track, so this is a suitable place for a simple non-slidable protrusion.