Patent Abstract:
An apparatus for storing a wheelchair is provided. The apparatus includes a substantially rigid container dimensioned to receive a wheelchair including a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first end, a first wall extending from the first end, a second wall opposite the first wall, a first side panel extending from the first end positioned between the first and second walls and a second side panel opposite the first side panel. The second section includes a first end, a first wall extending from the first end, a second wall opposite the first wall, a first side panel extending from the first end and positioned between the first and second walls and a second side panel opposite the first side panel. The first section is releasably coupled to the second section to form an interior region for receiving a wheelchair.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE INFORMATION 
     This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/871,175, filed Jun. 9, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,012, which claims priority of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/019,664 filed on Jun. 12, 1996. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a wheelchair container and more particularly, to a container for a wheelchair that protects it from damage during air travel. 
     Under the Disability Act, airlines are required to transport wheelchairs free of charge for the general public. In fact, roughly 6.4 million people per year travel with their wheelchairs. As a result, a large and expensive burden is placed on the airline industry. By failing to adequately store a wheelchair in a cargo section of a jet, it is extremely common for the wheelchair to be damaged upon reaching its destination. In fact, the lack of a suitable container forces the airlines to spend at least $1.00 in repairs for every wheelchair carried. As wheelchairs become more expensive (wheelchairs range in price between $600.00 and $20,000.00) and more prevalent, the repair and administrative cost will become a more significant expense of the airlines bottom line 
     However, any container will not solve the above problem. Numerous factors must be taken into account in order to design one suitable for air travel including weight, uniformity, durability, ease to load and cost. In a typical example, a passenger reaches the airport less than one hour before take-off. In that one hour period, the wheelchair must be processed, packaged and loaded onto the plane. The baggage handlers for the airlines neither have the time, nor the training to disassemble the chair, rather they have just enough time to securely load it in the plane. As a result, certain traveling cases in the market place will not meet the demands of the airline industry. For example, a traveling case for a bicycle exists. However, the bicycle needs to be disassembled in order to be securely fastened in the container. That is, the handle bars, at least one wheel and the pedals are all removed. Thereafter, each piece is individually secured and mounted with foam, a process which can take in excess of one hour. Because the process is so labor intensive, the passenger loads and stores the bicycle prior to arrival at the airport. However, in the case of a disabled person, he uses the wheelchair to arrive at the airport. Therefore, he can not load it until he has checked-in. 
     Accordingly, it is desired to provide a container for a wheelchair that is light weight, durable and easy to load to enable the wheelchair to be shipped without damage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for storing a wheelchair is provided. The apparatus includes a substantially rigid container dimensioned to receive a wheelchair including a first section and a second section. The first section includes at least a first end, a first wall extending from the first end, a second wall opposite the first wall, a first side panel extending from the first end positioned between the first and second walls and a second side panel opposite the first side panel. The second section includes a first end, a first wall extending from the first end, a second wall opposite the first wall, a first side panel extending from the first end and positioned between the first and second walls and a second side panel opposite the first side panel. The first section is releasably coupled to the second section to form an interior region for receiving a wheelchair. 
     Another apparatus for receiving a wheelchair is provided comprising a substantially rigid container dimensioned to receive a wheelchair including a first section and a second section. The first section includes at least a first end, a first wall extending from the first end, a second wall opposite the first wall, a first side panel extending from the first end and positioned between the first and second walls and a second side panel opposite the first side panel. The second section is substantially flat. The first section is releasably coupled to the second section to form an interior region for receiving a wheelchair. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved container for securely storing a wheelchair during transportation. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a container for a wheelchair that is lightweight, durable and easy to load to enable the wheelchair to be shipped without damage. 
     Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and in part be apparent from the specification. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional top plan view of a wheelchair in a container in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a wheelchair in the container of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged sectional view of a ridge of the container of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a handle of the container of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a handle of the container of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a handle of the container of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional side elevational view of the container of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional rear elevational view of the container of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged sectional view of the latch mechanism of the container of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 16 is a front plan view of a scooter; 
     FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 18 is a sectional side elevational view of the container of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is a rear elevational view of the container of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of yet still another embodiment of a container constructed in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a front plan view of the base of the container of FIG. 21 in the storage position; 
     FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a container in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the base and hood of the container of FIG. 23 in a storage position; and 
     FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a container in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In general, there are three distinct types of wheelchairs in the marketplace. All of which have different factors that must be taken into account in designing a proper container for air travel. While reference is being specially made for air travel, these containers may be used at home or for ship, train or truck cargo containers. Each model, that is, a folding wheelchair, a large fixed motorized wheelchair and a motorized scooter, will be described below in greater detail. 
     A folding wheelchair  10  as shown in FIG. 1 weights approximately fifty (50) pounds. For travel, unlike the other two embodiments discussed below, wheelchair  10  may be folded. Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a container  12  for wheelchair  10  is disclosed. Container  12  is dimensioned so that its interior volume is slightly greater than the dimensions of wheelchair  10 . In this manner, wheelchair  10  fits within container  12  with minimum movement and at the same time minimizes material cost. In a preferred embodiment, container  12  is approximately 44×33×14 inches and weighs approximately 16 pounds. 
     Container  12  is typically made of plastic including polyethylene, polypropylene and ABS. It may be molded from using rotational molding, thermoforming or injection molding. The method of manufacturing depends on the cost and rigidity required of the particular design. The outer surface of container  12  is textured. In this manner, its surface is rough so that it does not slip out of the hands of the baggage handlers, while at the same time creates sufficient surface friction with the conveyor belt during loading. This is a critical feature in that large aircraft have steep conveyors for loading baggage. Therefore, in order to enable container  12  to reach the cargo hull, the surface of container  12  must be textured in order to remain on the conveyor. 
     Container  12  is comprised of two halves  14  and  16 , which are essentially mirror images of one another. Container  12  is reinforced by ridges  18  as best shown in FIG.  8 . Ridges  18  provide additional support for container  12  so that when a plurality of containers  12  are stacked one upon another during shipment, for example, the container can adequately support and handle the weight. 
     Half  14  is mounted to half  16  of container  12  via a hinge  22 . Hinge  22  can be a living hinge or piano hinge. In an alternative embodiment, hinge  22  can be replaced with additional latches  24 , described below in greater detail. In this manner, container  12  may be easily stacked along the airport terminal because halves  14  and  16  fit inside one another. 
     Half  14  is fastened to half  16  via latches  24  as best shown in FIG.  6 . As shown in FIG. 6, the latch mechanism is a strap of Velcro 7  which is fed through a belt hole and then strapped down to the other side of the Velcro 7 . Alternatively, a rotary action latch, a flexible draw latch or an overcenter latch may be used, as will be described in greater detail below with reference to FIG.  15 . 
     Handles  20  are provided about the exterior surface of container  12  as best shown in FIGS. 9,  10  and  11 . Handles  20  form a part of container  12  and are ergonomically designed so as to fit the hand or fingers of the baggage handlers. In this manner, two baggage handlers may walk along each side of container  12  and easily carry it. Alternatively, rollers  32  as shown in FIG. 4 may be used so that container  12  may be rolled. 
     To use container  12 , wheelchair  10  is delivered to the baggage handlers at the airport. The chair is folded in half to a position as best shown in FIG.  2 . The container is opened about hinge  22 . Foam  30 , as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, is positioned on the inner portion of each half  14  and  16 . Foot rests  15  are first removed from wheelchair  10 . Thereafter, folded wheelchair  10  is placed within container  12  with the large wheels placed upon foam  30 . A strap  26  is then mounted up and over the frame to securely fasten wheelchair  10  to half  16  of container  12 . In the preferred embodiment, velcro straps are used, however, any type of buckle-strap arrangement, which provides the necessary security may be used. Footrests  15  are then mounted about a strap  28  within container  12 . Half  14  is then folded about hinge  22  toward half  16 . Thereafter, latches  24  are locked to securely attach half  14  to half  16 . In the preferred embodiment, four latches are used, but any number of latches may be used so long as they securely fasten the two halves to one another. Thereafter, a tag is placed on the outer surface of container  12  to appropriately label the container with the destination and passengers name. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 12-15, which describe an embodiment of a container for a large fixed motorized wheelchair  50 . Like numbers are used to denote like parts. Wheelchair  50  weighs approximately 250 pounds. Unlike folding wheelchair  10  above, wheelchair  50  cannot be folded for transport. 
     Wheelchair  50  is mounted in a container  52 . In a preferred embodiment, container  52  weighs approximately forty-five (45) pounds and includes bottom dimensions of approximately 49×40×32 inches and top dimensions of 49×40×30 inches. Container  52  includes two portions, a hood  54  and a base  56 . The inside volume of container  52  is slightly greater than that of wheelchair  50 . Container  52  is constructed by the same method and with the same materials as container  12 . Container  52  also includes the same textured surface and parts, including handles  20 , latches  24 , and ridges  18  as that described above with respect to container  12 . 
     Hood  54  includes an indent region  58  as best shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Indent  58  reduces the overall amount of material required and forms a tight fit for wheelchair  50  within hood  54 . Base  56  is constructed of a rigid honeycomb construction. A honeycomb construction is well known in the art and requires the minimal amount of material, but provides for the rigidity of the part. Foam  30  is placed in various areas about hood  54 , and more particularly about the joy stick, microcomputer box and regulator. In particular, foam  30  is required about the sensitive electronic and mechanical components of wheelchair  50 , but may be placed anywhere the user feels appropriate. 
     To use container  52 , like the embodiment described above, wheelchair  50  is delivered to the baggage handlers. The battery of wheelchair  50  is disconnected and removed and transported separately due to federal regulation. At the destination, the battery is reinstalled and reconnected to wheelchair  50 . Footrests  15  are also removed. Wheelchair  50  is then pushed onto base  56  and strapped down thereon. In particular, a wheel strap  60  as best shown in FIG. 13 is mounted about the axis of the wheels of wheelchair  50 . Thereafter, strap  64  may be used to mount wheelchair  50  on base  56 . Strap  64  is attached in a direction perpendicular to wheel strap  60 . A strap  62  is used to mount footrests  15  to base  56 . The number and positioning of straps  60 ,  62  and  64  are only critical to the extent that it secures wheelchair  50  to base  56 . As a result, any number of straps, positioned in any particular position, may be used so long as wheelchair  50  does not rotate or shift during travel. 
     Thereafter, hood  54  is lifted and placed atop wheelchair  50 . Hood  54  is then latched to base  56  via latches  24 . In the preferred embodiment eight latches are used, two on each end and three on each side but any number of latches may be used so long as hood  54  is securely mounted to base  56 . As best shown in FIG. 15, latches  24  are recessed within container  52 . In this manner, container  52  does not have any extruding parts to catch on the conveyor belt, clothing or other bags. Based on the fact that latches  24  are flush to container  52 , container  52  may be loaded flush against other containers during transport. Therefore, no space is wasted and the container is less likely to move. Once hood  54  is securely latched to base  56 , container  52  is laid on its side for loading onto the airplane. If not rolled over, it will not fit in the standard cargo door of a plane from the conveyor belt. Because it is laid on its side, it is extremely important that wheelchair  50  be securely mounted to base  56 . Once in the plane, container  52  is rolled back onto base  56  for transport. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 16-19 which describes and discloses a container  73  for a motorized scooter  70 . Motorized scooter  70  weights approximately 150 pounds. Like numbers are used to denote like parts in container  73  as discussed above with respect to containers  12  and  52 . In a preferred embodiment, container  73  weighs approximately 31 pounds and has the approximate dimensions of 49×35×25 inches. Scooter  70  includes a seat  71  and a steering column  72 . Prior to being inserted into container  73 , seat  71  is folded in the direction of arrow A to a position as denoted by the double dash lines in FIGS. 16 and 18. At the same time, steering column  72  is moved in the direction of arrow B to a position as shown in FIG.  18 . In this manner, the dimensions of scooter  70  have been minimized so as to securely fit within container  73 . The interior volume of container  73  is slightly greater than that of scooter  70 . 
     Container  73  includes a hood  74  and a base  76  with ridges  18  positioned thereon to provide further support. The construction and materials of hood  74  and  76  are identical to that described above with respect to containers  12  and  52 . Moreover, approximately eight latches  24 , three on each side and two on each end are provided to securely attach hood  74  to base  76 . Moreover, handles  20  are placed about hood  74  to enable baggage handlers and the like to carry container  73  to the plane. A strap  78  mounted to base  76  is used to securely fasten scooter  70  to base  76 . A strap  80  is used to further mount scooter  70  to base  76  and is fitted in a direction essentially perpendicular to strap  78 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, container  52  or  73  could be constructed in the form as shown in FIG.  20 . In FIG. 20, a hood  80  is formed with a first half  81  and a second half  83 . As shown with dashed lines, hood  80  can be formed in any shape. That is, it may be configured for a scooter  70  or alternatively for a wheelchair  50 . In this embodiment, handles, latches, ridges and materials are the same as those described above with respect to the other embodiments. To use the embodiment of FIG. 20, a wheelchair is rolled onto base  84 . Thereafter, a half  81  and a half  83  are moved towards base  84  and are fastened to one another by any type of latch disclosed herein. Thereafter, base  84  is securely fastened to halves  83  and  84  to protect a wheelchair during transport. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 21 and 22 which describe a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a container  86  constructed of the same materials and including the same parts as described above with respect to the other embodiments includes a base  87  and a hood  88 . In this embodiment, a wheelchair is rolled onto a platform  89  of base  87 . Thereafter, side walls  90  and  91  are folded upwards about a hinges  92  and  93 , respectively, while end walls  94  and  95  are folded about hinges  96  and  97 , respectively, to form the base and side walls of container  86 . Thereafter, hood  88  is placed upon base  87 . The various walls are latched to one another and thereafter, hood  88  is mounted to side walls and end walls  90 ,  91 ,  94  and  95 . When not in use, base and side walls  87  may be folded to a position as best shown in FIG. 22 for storage. In this embodiment, the end walls and side walls may take on any shapes so long as it fits a wheelchair snugly within. Similar to the above embodiments, straps, latches and handles are placed in the various positions so as to securely fasten a wheelchair upon platform  89  during transport. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 23 and 24 which describe a further alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, container  100  includes a hood  102  and a base  104 . Base  104  includes a platform  110 . Base  104  also includes side walls  105  and  106  mounted about hinges  107  and  108 , respectively. End walls  111  and  112  are further provided on base  104  and are mounted about hinges  113  and  114 , respectively. Thereafter, side walls  105  and  106  are latched to end walls  111  and  112  in the same manner described above. Thereafter, hood  102  is connected to side walls  105 ,  106  and end walls  111  and  112  and is securely fastened thereon to store a wheelchair. When not in use, the side walls and end walls are placed in an upright position and the hood is placed therein for storage as best shown in FIG.  24 . In this embodiment, the methods of attachment and storage as well as the materials used to manufacture the parts are the same as described above with respect to containers  12 ,  52  and  73 . 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 25 which describes still another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment hood sections  120  and  122 , which are mirror images of one another, form a hood to be attached to a base  124 . In this embodiment, a wheelchair is rolled onto base  124  and is connected with a single strap  126 . Thereafter, hood sections  120  and  122  are securely coupled to base  124  and to one another in the manner described above with respect to containers  12 ,  52  and  73 . Similar to the above embodiments, these component parts are made of the same material and used essentially the same parts for handles, latches and the like. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all mater contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1