Patent Publication Number: US-2023158967-A1

Title: Carrier element

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/362,212 filed Mar. 22, 2019 which claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/647,298 filed Mar. 23, 2018 and entitled CARRIER ELEMENT, the entire content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The present invention relates to a carrier element for accommodating a folding wheelchair in a vehicle. More specifically, the present application relates to a carrier element that is mounted in a vehicle to securely hold a folded wheelchair without interfering with passenger space. 
     Related Art 
     Ambulettes are vehicles, typically vans, that are commonly used to transport disabled, convalescing or otherwise mobility limited individuals in non-emergency situations. Ambulette use is increasing as the population ages. There are a variety of vehicles that are used as ambulettes, and each vehicle or vehicle type may offer different features or advantages. Despite this diversity and the fact that ambulettes are often used to transport disabled or mobility limited individuals, current ambulettes do not include any sort of carrier or other structure to allow for storage and transport of a foldable wheelchair without taking up or interfering with passenger space. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a carrier element that resolves this and other problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a carrier element configured to securely store a foldable wheelchair, where the carrier element is mountable in an ambulette or other vehicle without interfering with passenger space in the vehicle. 
     A carrier element in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base element; a pair of opposed sidewalls extending upward from the base element and connected by the base element; a pair of opposed end walls extending upward from the base element and connecting the based element and the opposed sidewalls; and a cavity defined by the base element, pair of opposed sidewalls and pair of opposed end walls, wherein the cavity is dimensioned to receive a folded wheelchair. 
     A carrier element in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base element; a first sidewall extending upward from the base element on a left side thereof; a second sidewall extending upward from the base element on a right side thereof; a rear end wall extending upward from the base element at a rear end thereof and connecting the base element, first sidewall and second sidewall; and a front end wall extending upward from the base element at a front end thereof and connecting the base element, first sidewall and second sidewall; wherein a cavity is defined by the base element, first sidewall, second sidewall rear end wall and front end wall and is dimensioned to accommodate a folded wheelchair. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and related objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following, detailed description of the preferred, albeit illustrative, embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is side view of an exemplary illustration of a carrier element in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is an exemplary end view of the carrier element of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is an exemplary perspective view of the carrier element of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  4    is an exemplary illustration of the floorplan of an ambulette interior illustrating a preferred position of the carrier element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a carrier element  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, in embodiments, the carrier element  10  includes a bottom plate  10   a  and a pair of opposed sidewalls  10   b ,  10   c  extending upward from the bottom plate  10   a  on the left and right sides thereof. In embodiments, the bottom plate  10   a  may be rectangular in shape. In embodiments, a pair of opposed end walls  10   d ,  10   e  extend upward from the bottom plate  10   a  and connect the opposed sidewalls  10   b ,  10   c . In embodiments, the bottom plate  10   a , sidewalls  10   b ,  10   c  and endwalls  10   d ,  10   e  define a storage area A in which a folded wheelchair may be secured. In embodiments, the carrier element  10  may include legs  12   a ,  12   b  (see  FIG.  3   ) connected to the bottom plate  10   a . In embodiments, the legs  12   a ,  12   b  are provided on the left side of the bottom plate  10   a  and extend downward to the floor of the vehicle, which, as noted above, is preferably an ambulette. 
     As can be seen in  FIG.  2   , in embodiments, the carrier  10  is preferably mounted such that the right side of the carrier element is positioned above the wheel well W of the ambulette. In embodiments, the carrier element may not be mounted above the wheel well W. In embodiments the left side of the carrier element  10  may be mounted over the wheel well W. In embodiments, the additional legs may be similar in structure to the legs  12   a  and  12   b  and may be provided on the right side of the carrier  10  as well. In embodiments, these additional legs may extend from the bottom plate  10   a  to the top of the wheel well W, or to the floor of the ambulette in front of or behind the wheel well. In embodiments, the left side of the carrier  10  is preferably supported by the legs  12   a ,  12   b . While two legs  12   a ,  12   b  are illustrated, in embodiments, a single leg or additional legs may be provided to support the left side of the carrier element. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the left sidewall  10   b  preferably extends higher than the right sidewall  10   c . As can be seen with respect to  FIG.  2   , in embodiments, the right sidewall  10   c  is preferably positioned adjacent to a wall V of the ambulette and the wall V of the ambulette helps to secure the folded wheelchair in the carrier  10 . In embodiments, the left sidewall  10   b  may be the same height as the right sidewall  10   c . In embodiments, the height of the left sidewall may angle downward toward the front end wall  10   d  as can be seen in  FIG.  3   . In embodiments, this sloped portion provides easier access to the wheelchair when stored in the cavity A of the carrier  10 . In embodiments, a mounting plate or bracket  14  may be connected to the sidewall  10   c  such that the carrier element  10  may be secured to the wall V of the ambulette. Ambulettes commonly include a bracket along the wall V that allows for the carrier element  10  to be connected to the wall V via the steel plate  14 . 
     In embodiments, the right side of the carrier  10  may be supported by the mounting plate  14  which is secured to the wall V. As a result, the carrier element  10  of the present disclosure may be used in virtually any existing ambulette. In embodiments, the mounting plate  14  may be welded to the sidewall  10   c  and bolted to the wall V. In embodiments, the mounting plate  14  may be secured to the sidewall  10   c  in any desired manner provided that it is sufficiently strong to meet safety requirements. 
     In embodiments, the left sidewall  10   b  may be positioned opposite the wall V of the ambulette and faces the passenger area of the ambulette. As noted above, this wall  10   b  may be higher than the wall  10   c  which is beneficial since this side of the carrier element  10  is exposed to the open passenger area of the ambulette. 
     In embodiments, the carrier element  10  may also include a strap S that is connected between the sidewalls  10   b ,  10   c . In embodiments, the strap S may be used to hold a folded wheelchair in place when it is placed in the carrier element  10 . In embodiments, the strap S may be adjustable such that it can be tightened as necessary to secure a wheelchair in the carrier element  10 . 
     In embodiments, the carrier element  10  is made of 18-gauge steel. In embodiments other materials may be used, provided that they comply with safety standards and minimum strength requirements. In addition, in embodiments, all of the exposed edges of the carrier element  10  may processed to avoid sharp edges and thus reduce the risk of injury. In embodiments, the exposed edges may be covered to avoid injury. 
       FIGS.  1  and  4    illustrate preferred dimensions for the carrier element  10  including the sidewalls  10   b ,  10   c  and end walls  10   d ,  10   e . While these dimensions are preferred, the dimensions of the carrier element  10  may vary from these dimensions provided that there is sufficient space between the sidewalls  10   b ,  10   c  and end walls  10   d ,  10   e  to securely store a folded wheelchair without interfering with passenger space. 
     Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.