Patent Publication Number: US-6698983-B1

Title: Vertically pivoting wheelchair restraint

Description:
The present invention is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 09/669,682, filed Sep. 26, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a wheelchair restraint for use in a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheelchair restraint that pivots from a horizontal operating position to a vertical storage position for easy storage, and especially for storage under seats of a transportation vehicle such as a bus, train or the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Governmental regulations require wheelchairs to be secured during use on transportation vehicles, such as buses and trains. Wheelchair restraints have been developed that limit movement of wheelchairs during use on transportation vehicles. These restraints are typically mounted to the vehicle and provide belts or straps that are fastened to the wheelchair. However, these restraints are often bulky or awkward and difficult to use. Accordingly, a wheelchair restraint is needed that does not interfere with the ingress and egress of the wheelchair and is able to be placed out of the way when not in use. In addition, a wheelchair restraint is needed that does not twist or bend the belts or straps when in use, thereby reducing wear and tear on the belts and straps. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, one object of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair restraint for use on transportation vehicles. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair restraint that does not interfere with the ingress and egress of the wheelchair. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a wheelchair restraint that can be placed in a storage position out of the way of passengers when not in use. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a wheelchair restraint that is not complex in structure, but is durable and easy to use. 
     In accordance with these and other objectives, the wheelchair restraint of the present invention generally has four primary components: a base assembly, two pivot members or arms, hinges and belt assemblies. The base assembly is used to mount the restraint to a vehicle. The arms are connected to the base assembly and each retain a belt assembly connected by a respective hinge. The arms pivot from a horizontal operating position about horizontal axes to a vertical storage position. 
     The vehicle restraint allows an operator to quickly and easily secure or release a passenger in a wheelchair, while maintaining the integrity of the straps/belts and prolonging strap/belt life by storing the straps/belts out of the range of the elements that would otherwise deteriorate them. In the storage position, the area can be used by other passengers not requiring securement and remain out of the way during wheelchair ingress and egress. 
    
    
     These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the restraint in an operating position in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the restraint in the operating position; 
     FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective of the restraint in the operating position; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective of the restraint in a storage position; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective of the restraint secured to a vehicle; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective of an alternative embodiment of the restraint in the operating position; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6, with the restraint in the storage position; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.  10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the overall vehicle wheelchair restraint  5  of the present invention. The wheelchair restraint  5  generally has four primary components: a base assembly  10 , two pivot members or arms  30 ,  40 , hinges  50  and belt assemblies  60 . The base assembly  10  is used to mount the restraint  5  to a vehicle (see FIG.  5 ). The arms  30 ,  40  are connected to the base assembly  10  and each retain a belt assembly  60  connected by a respective hinge  50 . The arms  30 ,  40  pivot from a substantially horizontal operating position about horizontal axes (FIGS. 1-3) to a substantially vertical storage position (FIG.  4 ). The ends of the arms  30 ,  40  that are facing each other are beveled. The arms  30 ,  40  can be the same length, or as best shown in FIGS. 8-11, different lengths. Preferably, the arm  130 ,  230  (FIGS. 8,  10 ) that is located under the seat in a position further from the user, is made shorter so that it is easier to reach and rotate. 
     The vehicle restraint  5  allows an operator to quickly and easily secure or release a wheelchair, while maintaining the integrity of the straps/belts and prolonging the lives of straps/belts  62  of belt assembly  60  by storing the belts  62  out of the range of the elements that would otherwise deteriorate them. In the storage position, the area can be used by other passengers not requiring securement and remain out of the way during wheelchair ingress and egress. 
     The base assembly  10  is preferably a single U-shaped member formed by a base plate  12  and two upright wall portions  14 ,  16  formed on opposite sides of the base plate  12 . The base plate  12  has four mounting holes  18  that receive bolts for securing the base plate  12 , and thereby the retaining device  5 , to the floor of a transportation vehicle. The two upright side wall portions  14 ,  16  cooperate with the arms  30 ,  40  to enable the arms  30 ,  40  to pivot between the operating and storage positions and also allow the arms  30 ,  40  to be locked at each position. 
     Each arm  30 ,  40  has a first opening for receiving a pivot pin  31 ,  41 . The pivot pins  31 ,  41  extend through an opening in a first side wall  14 ,  16 , through the first opening in the respective arm  30 ,  40 , to an opening in the opposite side wall  14 ,  16 . The pivot pins  31 ,  41  are secured in position by a fastener at each end of the pin. The pivot pins  31 ,  41  enable the arms  30 ,  40  to rotate between the horizontal operating position and the vertical storage position. 
     Gears  32 ,  42  are provided toward the end of each arm  30 ,  40  that is secured to the base assembly  10 . Preferably, two gears  32 ,  42  are secured to each arm  30 ,  40 , one gear on each side of the arm  30 ,  40  so that when the arms  30 ,  40  are connected to the base assembly  10 , the gears  32 ,  42  extend along the side walls  14 ,  16 . Each gear  32 ,  42  is secured to arms  30 ,  40  by three screws and the pivot pin  31 ,  41  passes through the center of the gear  32 ,  42  so that the center of the gears  32 ,  42  forms the pivot point for the respective arms  30 ,  40 . 
     The gears  32 ,  42  cooperate with one another to provide synchronous movement and locking of the arms  30 ,  40 . Thus, as one arm  30 ,  40  is raised or lowered, the other arm  30 ,  40  will have a corresponding movement. Accordingly, an operator need only move one arm  30 ,  40  in order to operate both arms  30 ,  40 . In addition, if one arm  30 ,  40  is locked in position, the other arm will also be locked by virtue of the gears  32 ,  42 . The synchronous operation of the arms  30 ,  40  also enables the operator to use the retainer device  5  with a single hand. 
     The arms  30 ,  40  have slots  34 ,  44  that receive respective locking pins  33 ,  43 . The slots  34 ,  44  extend longitudinal with respect to the arms  30 ,  40  and allow the locking pins  33 ,  43  to engage and release the side walls  14 ,  16  of the base assembly  10 , thereby operatively locking the arms  30 ,  40  to the base assembly  10 . 
     The side walls  14 ,  16  of the base assembly  10  have two sets of notches  45 ,  46  at a front end (shown toward the right in FIGS. 1-4) of the side walls  14 ,  16  of the base assembly  10  and a channel  35  having a detent  36  at a rear end of the side walls  14 ,  16  of the base assembly  10 . The first notches  45  face the front (i.e., toward the operator and the inside of the vehicle) of the retainer  5  and the second notches  46  are located on the top of the side walls  14 ,  16 . The locking pin  43  is received in the first notches  45  when the arms  30 ,  40  are horizontal, thereby locking the arms  30 ,  40  in the operating position, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. When the arms  30 ,  40  are raised, the locking pin  43  is received in the second notches  46 , thereby locking the arms  30 ,  40  in the storage position, as shown in FIG.  4 . The front of the side walls  14 ,  16  are curved to facilitate movement of the locking pin  43  between the first and second notches  45 ,  46 . 
     The channel  35  is formed toward the rear of the side walls  14 ,  16  of the base assembly  10  to lockably receive locking pin  33 . The channel  35  forms a reversed L-shaped opening that includes a detent  36  that receives the locking pin  33  when the arm  30  is in the operating position. The outside edge of the channel  35  is curved to facilitate movement of the locking pin  33  to and from the detent  36  as the arm  30  is moved between the operating and storage positions. 
     As best shown in FIG. 3, the locking pin  33  is spring loaded so as to be biased to engage the detent  36  when the arm  30  is in the operating position. Accordingly, when the locking pin  33  is received in the detent  36 , the pin  33  remains in that position until the operator withdraws the locking pin  33  for movement to a different position. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, two springs  37  are secured to the locking pin  33  and to a retainer  38  fixedly mounted within the arm  30 . 
     Referring back to FIG. 1, a lip is formed at the top edge of the side walls  14 ,  16  of the base assembly  10 . The lip turns inward to slightly enclose the arms  30 ,  40  and gears  32 ,  42 , but allowing the arms  30 ,  40  to move without interference. The lip prevents dirt, debris and clothing from entering the retainer  5  and become caught or entangled in the gears  32 ,  42 . 
     A hinge  50  is secured at the outside ends of each arm  30 ,  40 . A belt assembly  60  is bolted to each hinge  50  at an opening in the hinge  50 . The hinges  50  allow upward rotation when the arms  30 ,  40  are in the operating position. Accordingly, the belt  62  remains aligned with the belt housing  60  and the belt  62  does not form an angle with respect to the belt housing  64  when the belt  62  is secured to a wheelchair. Preferably, the hinges  50  rotate to about 45° from horizontal. 
     The belt assembly  60  is bolted to the hinge  50  to allow the belt assembly  60  to rotate 180° in the horizontal plane about the bolt. Accordingly, the belt  62  remains aligned with the belt assembly  60  so that the belt  62  does not form an angle with respect to the belt housing  64  when the belt  62  is secured to a wheelchair. However, the connection provides sufficient friction to prevent the belt assembly  60  from freely rotating when not in use and thereby causing a disturbance or safety hazard. A tension knob  66  is provided on the belt assembly  60  so that the belt  62  can be tensioned when attached to the wheelchair. A release lever (not shown) can be provided to relieve the tension when the wheelchair is to be disconnected. 
     The locking mechanism  70  has a control or operating shaft  72 , FIG. 3. A yoke  74  is secured to one end of the control shaft  72  and a knob  76  is attached to an opposite end of the shaft  72  that extends out from the arm  40 . The control shaft  72  extends through the middle of the arm  40  so that the fingers of the yoke  74  connect to the locking pin  43 . Preferably, the locking pin  43  extends through holes in the fingers of the yoke  74 . A spring  78  is provided to bias the control shaft  72  so that the locking pin  43  engages the notch  45  when the arms  30 ,  40  are in the operating position and notch  46  when the arms  30 ,  40  are in the storage position. The spring  78  is positioned about the control shaft  72  and compressed between a protrusion on the control shaft.  72  and the end cover of the arm  40 . When the operator pulls on the knob  76 , the control shaft  72  withdraws the locking pin from notches  45 ,  46  against the force of the spring  78 . 
     A cable  79  is connected to both of the locking pins  33 ,  43 . Thus, when the retainer  5  is locked in the operating position, and the operator pulls on the knob  76 , the locking pin  43  is withdrawn from the notches  45 . The locking pin  43  pulls the cable  79  which, in turn, withdraws the locking pin  33  from the detent  36 . The arms  30 ,  40  are thereby unlocked from the base assembly  10  and can then be raised to the storage position by simply raising the arm  40  via knob  76 . The operator can release the control shaft  72  once the locking pins  43 ,  33  clear the respective notches  45  and detents  36 . The locking pin  43  will slide along the curved front of the side walls  14 ,  16  and the locking pin  33  will rest or slide along the outer curved edge of the channel  35 . 
     When the arms  30 ,  40  reach the storage position, and the knob is released, locking pin  43  engages the notches  46  under force of spring  78 . In the storage position, the locking pin  33  is withdrawn from the channel  35  and the cable  79  is not tensioned. A snapping noise is made by the locking pin  43  as it engages the base assembly  10 , so that the operator knows the retainer device  5  is locked in the storage position. 
     Similarly, to move the arms  30 ,  40  from the storage position to the operating position, the operator pulls on knob  76 . The control shaft  72  withdraws the locking pin  43  from the notches  46  and the arms  30 ,  40  are thereby released from the base assembly  10 . The arms  30 ,  40  can then be moved toward the operating position, and the operator can release the knob  76  once the locking pin  43  moves beyond the notches  46 . When the arms  30 ,  40  reach the operating position, the locking pins  33 ,  43  respectively engage the detents  36  and notches  45  under force of springs  37  and  78 . A snapping noise is made by the locking pins  33 ,  43  as they engage the base assembly  10 , so that the operator knows the retainer device  5  is locked in the operating position. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the retainer device  5  can be placed at the front and/or rear of a wheelchair that is to be retained. The release knob  76  should be positioned for easy access by the operator. In the preferred embodiment, the retainer  5  is positioned toward a side of the vehicle with the release knob  76  facing inward. The retainer device  5  is first placed (and locked) in the storage position to enable ingress of the wheelchair. Once the wheelchair is positioned, the retainer device  5  is locked into the operating position. The belts  62  are connected to the wheelchair by a hook fastener. When the wheelchair is to be unconnected, the belts  62  are removed and the retainer device  5  is returned to the storage position. 
     The retainer device  5  is mounted approximately twenty (20) inches from the side wall of the transport vehicle to the center of the restraint  5 . In the storage position, the retainer device  5  is at least five (5) inches within the outer edge of a seat that folds down over the retainer device  5  so that it does not interfere with passengers when not in use. The retainer device  5  of the present invention is able to withstand up to approximately 7,300 pounds of total force in tension on the belts, with the load applied at 15° from horizontal. The restraint  5  can restrain a mass weighing 500 pounds from moving more than 2 inches in any direction given 10 g deceleration. 
     It should be noted that the size and number of elements are designed to comply with government regulations and are not intended to be limiting. Accordingly, the optimal number and position of arms  30 ,  40 , locking pins  31 ,  41 , hinges  50  and belts assemblies  60  can differ without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, for instance, two belt assemblies may be attached to each hinge  50 . In addition, any suitable device can be used to engage the arms  30 ,  40  with the wheelchair other than use of straps  62 , such as a clamp or clasp. 
     An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, which show a restraint  5  for securing a wheelchair to a transportation vehicle, such as a bus, train or the like, using adjustable straps. The restraint  5  includes an elongated base plate  80  that is secured to the vehicle floor and two arms  30 ,  40  that are connected to a centrally-located, vertically translatable operator shaft. The arms  30 ,  40  are pivotable about a respective arm pivot pin  31 ,  41  by the operator shaft  82  into either an operating position (FIG. 6) or a storage position (FIG.  7 ), and locked into each position by the operator shaft  82 . 
     In the operating position of FIG. 6, the arms  30 ,  40  are lowered and extend in opposite directions in a horizontal plane. In the storage position of FIG. 7, the arms  30 ,  40  are raised by operation of the operator shaft  82  into a vertical position for out-of-the-way storage during wheelchair ingress and egress to and from the vehicle and allowing the floor area of the vehicle to be used by other passengers not requiring securement. The adjustable straps are retained within housings mounted to the arms  30 ,  40  at connect plates  86 ,  88  that extend outwardly and angled upward from the arms  30 ,  40 . 
     The pivoting mechanism includes the operator shaft  82 , two pivot pins  31 ,  41  and two J-shaped pivot plates  90 ,  92  that pivotably connect a respective arm  30 ,  40  to its pivot pin  31 ,  41  so that each securing arm  30 ,  40  thereby pivots about its respective pivot pin  31 ,  41  when caused to do so by the operator shaft  82 . The base plate  80  includes front and rear flange portions  84 ,  86  that are vertically aligned and are opposite one another. A front flange  84  includes a vertical slot and the opposite rear flange  86  includes a first and second hole. The operator shaft  82  extends from between the vertical slot of the front flange  84  to the rear flange  86 . 
     When the securing arms  30 ,  40  are in the operating position, the operator shaft  82  is in a raised position within the slot and aligns with the first hole of the rear flange  86 . When the securing arms  30 ,  40  are in the storage position, the operator shaft  82  is in a lowered position within the slot and aligns with the second hole of the rear flange  86 . The operator shaft  82  locks the arms  30 ,  40  in each the raised and lowered positions by engaging with the respective hole of the rear flange  86 . The operator shaft  82  is biased by a spring to engage the holes, and is withdrawn under manual operation so that the arms  30 ,  40  may be moved between the operating and storage positions. A support member  94  can be provided on base plate  80  to support arm  30  in the operating position. 
     Turning to FIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of the wheelchair restraint system  100  in accordance with the invention is shown. This embodiment does not require the gears  32  or cable  79 . Instead, each arm  130 ,  140  has a separate locking mechanism  170 , which includes a locking pin  172  located within an elongated opening  173  in the arm  130 ,  140 , upper and lower notches  174 ,  176 , and an operating shaft  180 . The arms  130 ,  140  are secured to the base assembly  110  by a pivot pin  141 . 
     Preferably, a cylindrical operating member  142  is positioned within the hollow arms  130 ,  140 . The operating shaft  180  and operating knob  184  are each fastened at one end of the operating member  142 , and the locking pin  172  is connected at the opposite end of the operating member  142 . The operating member  142  provides stability to the operating shaft  180  and facilitates connection to the knob  184 . It should be recognized, however, that the operating member  142  need not be provided, but instead the operating shaft  180  can extend the length of the arm  130 ,  140  to connect directly to the locking pin  172 . 
     The upper and lower notches  174 ,  176 , are positioned along the outer front and rear edges of the side walls  116  of the base assembly  110 . The outer front and rear edges of the side walls  116  are preferably curved, to facilitate movement of the locking pin  172  along the face of the side walls. In addition, a roller  171  is positioned on the locking pin  172 , and fixed in place by a beveled cap. The locking pin  172  preferably is a nut having a beveled top and a bolt that extends through the operating member  142 . The roller  171  rotates along the face of the side walls as the arm  130 ,  140  is moved between the operating and storage positions. The notches  174 ,  176  are configured with a respective lip  175 ,  177  that prevents the locking pin  172  so that the arm  130 ,  140  cannot move beyond the storage or operating positions. 
     The user can unlock the arm  130 ,  140  from the base assembly  110  by moving one of two knobs  182 ,  184 , that are positioned along the operating shaft  180 . The user operates the knobs  182 ,  184  to extract the operating shaft  180  and operating member  142  from within the respective arm  130 ,  140 . In turn, the operating shaft  180  slides the locking pin  172  within the elongated channel  173  to withdraw the locking pin  172  from the respective notch  174 ,  176 , so that the arm  130 ,  140 , can be moved. Two knobs  182 ,  184 , are provided in the preferred embodiment, one at the end of the arm  130 ,  140 , and one along the side of the arm  30 ,  40 . However, it should be readily apparent that only a single knob, or an equivalent, can be used. 
     A cap plate  190  is positioned over the ends of the arms  130 ,  140 , having a leg  192 . The leg  192  extends outward from the side of the arms  130 ,  140  and has an opening that connects to a belt assembly  160 . The belt assembly  160  can pivot with respect to the leg  192  of the cap plate  190 . The belt assembly  160  can be positioned transversely with respect to the arm  130 ,  140 , or alternatively can be aligned with the arm as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The present embodiment allows the arms  130 ,  140  to move independent of one another, so that the arms  130 ,  140  can be independently locked in each of the operating and storage positions. The knobs  182 ,  184 , are spring-loaded by positioning a spring between the cap  190  and a plate that secures the knob  184  to the operating shaft  180 . The spring biases the locking pin  172  inward so that the locking pin  172  is forced into a notch  174 ,  176 , to avoid accidental release of the arms  130 ,  140 . The roller  171  facilitates movement of the arms that would otherwise be hampered by friction between the locking pin  172  and the side walls  116  of the base assembly  110  due to the spring bias. 
     An alternative preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. However, this embodiment is not locked to the base assembly  210 , and therefore the locking mechanism  170  is eliminated. As a result, the arms  230 ,  240  are never locked in the operating position. Rather, the arms  230 ,  240  are freely moveable in the operating position until the wheelchair is engaged by the straps. The tension and frictional forces, from the wheelchair being restrained by the straps, retain the arm  230 ,  240  in the operating position until the wheelchair is released. Knobs  232 ,  234  are provided to assist the user in moving the arms  230 ,  240  between the operating and storage positions. 
     The restraint system  200  includes two arms  230 ,  240  secured to a base assembly  210  and adjustable straps connected to the arms for attachment to a wheelchair. The base assembly  210  is bolted to the vehicle floor and has two vertical side walls  216 . The arms  230 ,  240  are independently pivotable about a respective primary arm pivot pin  222  extending through each arm into a V-shaped opening  224  in each side wall  216  of the base assembly  210 . The arms are pivotable between a substantially horizontal operating position and a vertical storage position. In the operating position, the arms  230 ,  240  are lowered and extend in opposite directions in a substantially horizontal plane. 
     In the storage position, the arms  230 ,  240  are raised into a vertical position for out-of-the-way storage during wheelchair ingress and egress to and from the vehicle and to avoid a tripping hazard and allow the floor area of the vehicle to be used by other passengers not requiring securement. The adjustable straps are retained within housings mounted to the arms  230 ,  240 . The strap/housing combination is a conventional component of wheelchair securement systems. 
     A guide pin or secondary pivot pin  220  extends through each arm  230 ,  240 , the guide/pivot pin  220  may be selectively aligned with two pair of notches  212 ,  214  located in the side walls  216  of the base assembly  210 , one pair at the operating position and the other pair at the storage position. The pivot pin  222  engages in the V-shaped opening  224  in a lower position  228 , an upper retracted position  227  and an upper extended position  226 . The V-shaped opening  224  is positioned so that the arm  230 ,  240  can move in a horizontal direction between the upper positions  226 ,  227 . The V-shaped opening  224  is angled, so that the upper retracted position  227  is slightly raised with respect to the upper extended position  226 . 
     When the pivot pin  222  is in the upper retracted position  227 , the arm  230 ,  240  is retracted into the base assembly  210  so that the guide/pivot pin  220  enters the notch  212 . With the pivot pin  222  in the upper extended position  226 , the arm  230 ,  240  is fully extended so that the guide/pivot pin  220  is withdrawn from the notch  212  and the arm can be rotated to the storage position. Accordingly, when the arm is in the operating position before connection to a wheelchair, the arm  230 ,  240  can freely move about both the primary and secondary pivot pins and freely move in a generally horizontal direction such that the guide/pivot pin  220  can slide into and out of the notches  212  associated with the operating position. Once the pivot pin  222  is placed in the upper retracted position  227  or the upper extended position  226 , friction retains the pivot pin  222  in that position. There is no locking mechanism for the arms  230 ,  240  in their operating positions. 
     When it is desired to secure a wheelchair using the wheelchair restraint system  200 , the user lowers the arms  230 ,  240  to the operating position and preferably engages the wheelchair with the adjustable straps. The user then pushes inward on the arms  230 ,  240  so that the guide/pivot pin  220  enters the notch  212  and the pivot pin  222  moves from the upper extended position  226  to the upper retracted position  227 . In that upper retracted position  227  (i.e., with the adjustable straps engaged with the wheelchair, but not tightened), the arm  230 ,  240  can still be freely pivoted about the guide/pivot pin  220  and the pivot pin  222  and the distal end of the arm  230 ,  240  are free to rotate in a vertical direction. The combined weight of the distal end of the arm  230 ,  240 , the strap and the strap housing, however, rotates the arm  230 ,  240  so that the pivot pin  222  is in the upper retracted position  227  and not the lower position  228 . In that upper positions  226 ,  227 , the arms  230 ,  240  angle downward such that the distal end of the arms  230 ,  240  may touch the floor of the vehicle. 
     Once the adjustable straps are tightened or retracted to restrain the wheelchair, the notches  212  and guide/pivot pin  220  prevent the arm  230 ,  240  from rotating upwardly, and instead the force of the strap tension drives the pivot pin  222  downward in the V-shaped opening to the lower position  228 . When the pivot pin  222  is in the lower position  228  with the strap connected in tension to the wheelchair, the arm  230 ,  240  is unable to move in the horizontal direction, thereby frictionally fixing the arm in the operating position. In that position, the distal ends of the arms  230 ,  240  are raised to a substantially horizontal position and the arms  230 ,  240  are substantially parallel to the floor of the vehicle. 
     When the user desires to place the wheelchair restraint system  200  in the storage position, the tension on the strap is released. Thus, the weight of the arm  230 ,  240 , the strap and the strap housing again shift the pivot pin  222  to the upper retracted position  227 , and the arm  230 ,  240  can be freely moved horizontally. Since the arm  230 ,  240  remains in the operating position by force of gravity, the user must lift the arm  230 ,  240  to the storage position. The V-shaped opening is shaped so that, as the arm  230 ,  240  is being raised to the storage position, the pivot pin  222  slides to the lower position  228 . Once the arm  230 ,  240  is in the storage position, the guide/pivot pin  220  enters the upper notch  214 , and the pivot pin  222  is at the lower position  228  of the V-shaped opening  224 . 
     Optionally, a spring could also be connected between each arm  230 ,  240  and the base member. The spring would bias the arm so that the pivot pin  222  enters the lower position  228  by the force of the spring when the arms  230 ,  240  are pushed inward. 
     The foregoing description and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited by the dimensions of the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.