Patent Description:
There has been known a mechanism for restraining a wheelchair onto a floor, or the like, in a vehicle such as an automobile, in which a striker and a latch are used (see, <CIT>).

Document <CIT> discloses a wheelchair restraint mechanism according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

In a conventional restraint mechanism in which a striker and a latch are used, it is necessary to precisely align the striker and the latch because a misalignment between these parts results in failure in restraining the wheelchair. There will be a problem with aligning the striker and the latch where either one of them is not visible.

Starting from document <CIT> the object of the invention is to provide a wheelchair restraint mechanism in which a misalignment between the striker and the latch in the width directions of the wheelchair can be absorbed and that facilitates easy alignment between the striker and the latch.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a wheelchair restraint mechanism configured to restrain a wheelchair to a restraining member installed on a vehicle. The wheelchair restraint mechanism includes an engagement target portion provided in a first member, which is either one of the wheelchair and the restraining member, and an engagement portion provided in a second member, which is the other one of the wheelchair and the restraining member. The engagement target portion includes at least one striker having a rod shape extending in up-down directions.

The engagement portion includes: at least one housing member configured to house the at least one striker; at least one latch configured to limit separation of the at least one striker from the at least one housing member; and at least one guide member configured to guide the striker towards the at least one housing member.

The at least one guide member includes a first guide surface and a second guide surface, which face each other in width directions of the wheelchair restrained to the restraining member and have a distance therebetween decreasing towards the at least one housing member. The engagement portion includes a base provided with the at least one housing member and the at least one guide member, and a position adjustment mechanism configured to bias the base towards a center in the width directions and to hold the base movably in the width directions.

With such configuration, the striker is guided towards the housing member, which is positioned in a fixed manner, by the first guide surface and the second guide surface of the guide member when the engagement target portion and the engagement portion engage with each other. Owing to this, the alignment between the striker and the latch can be easily made. With such configuration, a misalignment between the striker and the latch in the width directions of the wheelchair can be absorbed by a movement of the base in the width directions. This facilitates easy alignment between the striker and the latch.

In one mode of the present disclosure, the engagement target portion may include a plurality of strikers arranged apart from one another in the width directions as the at least one striker. The engagement portion may include: a plurality of housing members; a plurality of latches; and a plurality of guide members, as the at least one housing member, the at least one latch, and the at least one guide member, respectively. Such configuration enables enhancement of a stable restraint of the wheelchair.

In one mode of the present disclosure, the engagement target portion may include a bumper disposed on an outer side of the at least one striker in the width directions. A length of the base in the width directions may become greater along an insertion direction of the at least one striker in the at least one housing member. With such configuration, when the engagement target portion and the engagement portion engage with each other, an end of the base in the width directions of the wheelchair comes into contact with the bumper, whereby a position of the base is adjusted. This consequently facilitates easy alignment between the striker and the latch.

In one mode of the present disclosure, the engagement target portion may be provided in the restraining member. The engagement portion may be provided in the wheelchair. Such configuration enables a manipulating part for unlocking the latch to be provided in the wheelchair. It consequently allows the occupant of the wheelchair to release the latch.

In one mode of the present disclosure, the restraining member may be a vehicle seat. Such configuration enables integration of the wheelchair and the vehicle seat. It consequently allows the occupant of the wheelchair to use the seat belt of the vehicle seat.

An example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

A wheelchair restraint mechanism <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a mechanism for restraining a wheelchair <NUM> to a vehicle seat <NUM> that is installed on a vehicle. The wheelchair restraint mechanism <NUM> includes an engagement target portion <NUM> and an engagement portion <NUM>.

Examples of the vehicle on which the vehicle seat <NUM> is installed may include automobiles, railroad vehicles, ships, boats, and aircrafts. Directions defined in the description hereafter and in the accompanying drawings correspond to directions from the vehicle seat <NUM>. Front-rear directions, width directions, and up-down directions from the wheelchair <NUM> restrained to the vehicle seat <NUM> respectively correspond to front-rear directions, width directions, and up-down directions from the vehicle seat <NUM>.

The vehicle seat <NUM> is used as a seating in the vehicle and also serves as a restraining member for restraining the wheelchair <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the vehicle seat <NUM> includes: a seat cushion 101A; a seatback 101B; a first leg 101C; a second leg 101D; a seat belt 101E (see, <FIG>); a belt buckle 101F; and the engagement target portion <NUM>.

The seat cushion 101A is a part that supports the buttocks of an occupant of the vehicle seat <NUM>. The seatback 101B is a part that supports the back of the occupant of the vehicle seat <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the seat cushion 101A is flipped up when the wheelchair <NUM> is restrained. In other words, the seat cushion 101A is configured to pivotally move between its seating position and flipped position.

The first leg 101C and the second leg 101D support the seat cushion 101A and the seatback 101B. The first leg 101C and the second leg 101D are arranged apart from each other in the width directions.

The first leg 101C is disposed on a left side of the second leg 101D. The first leg 101C and the second leg 101D are attached to a sliding mechanism <NUM> that is installed onto a floor of the vehicle.

The sliding mechanism <NUM> is configured to cause the vehicle seat <NUM> to slide in the front-rear directions. The sliding mechanism <NUM> includes a first rail 103A, and a second rail 103B, arranged apart from each other in the width directions of the vehicle seat <NUM>. The first leg 101C is retained by the first rail 103A in a slideable manner. The second leg 101D is retained by the second rail 103B in a slideable manner.

The seat belt 101E shown in <FIG> is retained by the seatback 101B. The seat belt 101E has a plate, which can be attached to and detached from the belt buckle 101F, disposed on an outer side of the seat cushion 101A in the width directions.

The seat belt 101E extends from one shoulder portion of the seatback 101B to the belt buckle 101F to be worn by the occupant of the vehicle seat <NUM>. In a state where the wheelchair <NUM> is restrained to the vehicle seat <NUM>, the seat belt 101E can also be worn by an occupant of the wheelchair <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the engagement target portion <NUM> is provided below the seat cushion 101A and the seatback 101B of the vehicle seat <NUM>. The engagement target portion <NUM> includes: a first striker 21A; a second striker 21B; a first bumper 22A; a second bumper 22B; a pedestal <NUM>; and a support beam <NUM>.

Each of the first striker 21A and the second striker 21B is a rod-like member that extends in the up-down directions. The first striker 21A and the second striker 21B are arranged apart from each other in the width directions of the wheelchair <NUM> restrained to the vehicle seat <NUM> (that is, in the width directions of the vehicle seat <NUM>).

The first striker 21A is disposed on a left side of the second striker 21B. The first striker 21A and the second striker 21B are arranged to align with each other in the width directions of the vehicle seat <NUM>. In other words, the first striker 21A and the second striker 21B have the same front-rear-direction alignment on the vehicle seat <NUM>.

In addition, the first striker 21A and the second striker 21B are disposed between the first leg 101C and the second leg 101D in the width directions of the vehicle seat <NUM>. The distance between the first leg 101C and the first striker 21A is the same as the distance between the second leg 101D and the second striker 21B.

The first bumper 22A and the second bumper 22B are disposed on outer sides of the first striker 21A and the second striker 21B in the width directions. Specifically, the first bumper 22A is disposed on a left side and in front of the first striker 21A. The second bumper 22B is disposed on a right side and in front of the second striker 21B.

The first bumper 22A is a curved-plate-like member fixed to a front end of the first leg 101C. The first bumper 22A is arranged to bridge a front-end surface of the first leg 101C and a right surface of the first leg 101C (that is, a surface facing the second bumper 22B).

The second bumper 22B is a curved-plate-like member fixed to a front end of the second leg 101D. The second bumper 22B is arranged to bridge a front-end surface of the second leg 101D and a left surface of the second leg 101D (that is, a surface facing the first bumper 22A).

The pedestal <NUM> supports bottom ends of the first striker 21A and the second striker 21B. The pedestal <NUM> connects the first leg 101C and the second leg 101D in the width directions. An upper surface of the pedestal <NUM> is curved in such a manner that its inclination angle relative to a horizontal direction decreases towards rearward. In other words, the pedestal <NUM> includes a guide surface to guide the engagement portion <NUM> upward.

The support beam <NUM> retains upper ends of the first striker 21A and the second striker 21B. The support beam <NUM> connects the first leg 101C and the second leg 101D in the width directions above the pedestal <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the wheelchair <NUM> includes: a seat 102A; a first wheel 102B; a second wheel 102C; and the engagement portion <NUM>.

The first wheel 102B and the second wheel 102C are each rotatably attached to the seat 102A. The first wheel 102B is situated on a left side of the second wheel 102C. The seat 102A, the first wheel 102B, and the second wheel 102C are components for publicly known wheelchairs. The wheelchair <NUM> is able to travel in the front-rear directions of the seat 102A.

As shown in <FIG>, the engagement portion <NUM> includes: a first housing member 31A; a second housing member 31B; a first latch 32A; a second latch 32B; a first guide member 33A; a second guide member 33B; a base <NUM>; a position adjustment mechanism <NUM>; and a release lever <NUM> (see, <FIG>). <FIG> is a schematic drawing of the wheelchair <NUM> viewed from the bottom.

The first housing member 31A is a concave configured to house the first striker 21A. The second housing member 31B is a concave configured to house the second striker 21B. Each of the first housing member 31A and the second housing member 31B has a C shape with a rearward opening when viewed from the top. The first striker 21A and the second striker 21B are respectively inserted in the first housing member 31A and the second housing member 31B from the rearward.

The first latch 32A is configured to limit separation of the first striker 21A from the first housing member 31A. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first latch 32A is configured to change between a locked position, where the first latch 32A limits a rearward movement of the first striker 21A by closing the opening of the first housing member 31A, and an unlocked position, where the first latch 32A opens the first housing member 31A. <FIG> is a plan view of the seat 102A of the wheelchair <NUM> in which a part thereof is omitted.

In the locked position, the first latch 32A moves to the unlocked position in response to an imposition of a load from the rearward. The first latch 32A is biased from the unlocked position to the locked position by an elastic element (not shown).

As the wheelchair <NUM> moves rear towards the vehicle seat <NUM>, the first striker 21A collides with the front of the first latch 32A in the locked position. Consequently, the first latch 32A moves to the unlocked position, and the first striker 21A is housed in the first housing member 31A. When the first striker 21A is housed in the first housing member 31A and the first latch 32A is released from the load, this biasing force causes the first latch 32A to move to the locked position. This causes the first striker 21A to be locked.

The second latch 32B is configured to limit separation of the second striker 21B from the second housing member 31B. The second latch 32B is configured in the same manner as the first latch 32A. In other words, the second latch 32B moves from the locked position to the unlocked position by a collision with the second striker 21B and is also biased from the unlocked position to the locked position.

By causing the wheelchair <NUM> to move in reverse from a location ahead of the vehicle seat <NUM> towards the vehicle seat <NUM>, the first striker 21A and the second striker 21B are respectively housed in the first housing member 31A and the second housing member 31B, and also held by the first latch 32A and the second latch 32B. This causes the engagement portion <NUM> to be restrained to the engagement target portion <NUM>.

The first latch 32A and the second latch 32B are connected to the release lever <NUM> shown in <FIG> via a wire <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Manipulation of the release lever <NUM> causes the first latch 32A and the second latch 32B to change from the locked position to the unlocked position.

When the occupant of the wheelchair <NUM> restrained to the vehicle seat <NUM> moves the wheelchair <NUM> forward while manipulating the release lever <NUM>, the wheelchair <NUM> is released from the vehicle seat <NUM>. When the manipulation of the release lever <NUM> is stopped, the first latch 32A and the second latch 32B return to the locked position by the biasing force.

The first guide member 33A is configured to guide the first striker 21A towards the first housing member 31A. The first guide member 33A is provided rearward of the first housing member 31A in a continuous manner with the first housing member 31A.

The first guide member 33A includes a first guide surface <NUM> and a second guide surface <NUM>, which face each other in the width directions and have a distance therebetween decreasing towards the first housing member 31A. The first guide surface <NUM> and the second guide surface <NUM> demarcate a path passed by the first striker 21A.

The first guide surface <NUM> and the second guide surface <NUM> each extend parallel with the up-down directions. The first guide surface <NUM> of the first guide member 33A is arranged on a left side of the second guide surface <NUM>, and extends left rearward from the first housing member 31A. The second guide surface <NUM> extends right rearward from the first housing member 31A.

The first latch 32A is arranged in the first guide member 33A. The first latch 32A in the locked position stretches from the first guide surface <NUM> to the second guide surface <NUM>. The first latch 32A pivots in a direction away from the first guide surface <NUM>, thereby changing from the locked position to the unlocked position.

The second guide member 33B is configured to guide the second striker 21B towards the second housing member 31B. The second guide member 33B is provided rearward of the second housing member 31B in a continuous manner with the second housing member 31B.

The second guide member 33B has a mirror image shape relative to the first guide member 33A with respect to a center line in the width directions of the wheelchair <NUM>. In other words, the second guide member 33B includes the first guide surface <NUM> and the second guide surface <NUM>, which face each other in the width directions and have a distance therebetween decreasing towards the second housing member 31B. The second latch 32B is arranged in the second guide member 33B.

The base <NUM> is retained by the seat 102A, and arranged between the first wheel 102B and the second wheel 102C in the width directions. As shown in <FIG>, the base <NUM> includes a cover <NUM> and a support plate <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> houses an operating mechanism for the first latch 32A and the second latch 32B. In other words, the first latch 32A and the second latch 32B are held by the base <NUM>. A rear end of the cover <NUM> is provided with the first housing member 31A, the second housing member 31B, the first guide member 33A, and the second guide member 33B.

A length of the cover <NUM> in the width directions (that is, a length thereof in right-left directions) becomes greater along insertion directions of the first striker 21A and the second striker 21B in the first housing member 31A and the second housing member 31B, respectively (that is, towards a front side).

Specifically, at a left end of the rear end of the cover <NUM> (that is, on a left side of the first housing member 31A), there is provided a first collision surface 351A, which is parallel with the up-down directions, and inclined such that a distance between which and a center line C in the width directions of the wheelchair <NUM> decreases towards the front side.

Also, at a right end of the rear end of the cover <NUM> (that is, on a right side of the second housing member 31B), there is provided a second collision surface 351B, which is parallel with the up-down directions, and inclined such that a distance between which and the center line C in the width directions of the wheelchair <NUM> decreases towards the front side.

The first collision surface 351A collides with the first bumper 22A of the vehicle seat <NUM> or slides when the engagement portion <NUM> moves towards the engagement target portion <NUM>. The second collision surface 351B collides with the second bumper 22B of the vehicle seat <NUM> or slides when the engagement portion <NUM> moves towards the engagement target portion <NUM>. The base <NUM> is inserted in a lower part of the vehicle seat <NUM> from the front side when the engagement portion <NUM> engages with the engagement target portion <NUM> (that is, when the wheelchair <NUM> is restrained to the vehicle seat <NUM>).

As shown in <FIG>, the first collision surface 351A and the second collision surface 351B are provided with a plurality of ridges 351C arranged side by side in the up-down directions. A part of the plurality of ridges 351C extends from the first collision surface 351A or the second collision surface 351B to a front-end surface of the cover <NUM>.

The support plate <NUM> shown in <FIG> is fixed to the cover <NUM> from a lower side. The support plate <NUM> and the cover <NUM> are arranged to interpose a frame <NUM> of the position adjustment mechanism <NUM> therebetween in the up-down directions. A length of the support plate <NUM> in the width directions is smaller than the cover <NUM>. A rear end of the support plate <NUM> is situated forward of the rear end of the cover <NUM>.

The position adjustment mechanism <NUM> is configured to bias the base <NUM> towards a center of the wheelchair <NUM> in the width directions and to hold the base <NUM> movably in the width directions. The position adjustment mechanism <NUM> includes: the frame <NUM>; a first spring <NUM>; and a second spring <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> extends along a seat width direction. The frame <NUM> is fixed to the seat 102A, and supports the base <NUM> movably in the width directions.

In the first spring <NUM>, one end is attached to an area of the base <NUM> on a left side of a center thereof in the width directions, and the other end is attached to the seat 102A. In the second spring <NUM>, one end is attached to an area of the base <NUM> on a right side of the center thereof in the width directions, and the other end is attached to the seat 102A.

The first spring <NUM> and the second spring <NUM> bias the base <NUM> towards an initial position set at the center thereof in the width directions. In response to the base <NUM> moving to the right side because of the collision with the first bumper 22A, the first spring <NUM> extends and the second spring <NUM> is compressed. This causes a leftward biasing force to be generated on the base <NUM>. In response to the base <NUM> moving to the left side because of the collision with the second bumper 22B, the first spring <NUM> is compressed and the second spring <NUM> extends. This causes a rightward biasing force to be generated on the base <NUM>.

According to the embodiment detailed as above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1a) The first striker 21A and the second striker 21B are respectively guided towards the first housing member 31A and the second housing member 31B, which are positioned in a fixed manner, respectively by the first guide surface <NUM> and the second guide surface <NUM> of the first guide member 33A and those of the second guide member 33B when the engagement target portion <NUM> and the engagement portion <NUM> engage with each other. Owing to this, the alignment between the first striker 21A and the first latch 32A, and the alignment between the second striker 21B and the second latch 32B can be easily made.

(1b) The first striker 21A is held by the first housing member 31A and the first latch 32A, and the second striker 21B is held by the second housing member 31B and the second latch 32B, whereby a stable restraint of the wheelchair <NUM> can be enhanced.

(1c) With the position adjustment mechanism <NUM>, misalignments between the first striker 21A and the first latch 32A, and between the second striker 21B and the second latch 32B in the width directions of the wheelchair <NUM> can be absorbed by a movement of the base <NUM> in the width directions. This facilitates easy alignments between the first striker 21A and the first latch 32A, and between the second striker 21B and the second latch 32B.

(1d) When the engagement target portion <NUM> and the engagement portion <NUM> engage with each other, an end of the base <NUM> in the width directions of the wheelchair <NUM> comes into contact with the first bumper 22A or the second bumper 22B, whereby a position of the base <NUM> is adjusted. This consequently facilitates easy alignments between the first striker 21A and the first latch 32A, and between the second striker 21B and the second latch 32B.

(1e) By providing the engagement target portion <NUM> in the vehicle seat <NUM> and providing the engagement portion <NUM> in the wheelchair <NUM>, the wheelchair <NUM> can be provided with a manipulating part for unlocking the first latch 32A and the second latch 32B. It consequently allows the occupant of the wheelchair <NUM> to release the first latch 32A and the second latch 32B.

(1f) By having the vehicle seat <NUM> serve as the restraining member of the wheelchair <NUM>, the wheelchair <NUM> and the vehicle seat <NUM> can be integrated. It consequently allows the occupant of the wheelchair <NUM> to use the seat belt 101E of the vehicle seat <NUM>.

An embodiment of the present disclosure has been explained above. Nevertheless, the present disclosure can be carried out in various modifications without being limited to the aforementioned embodiments.

(2a) In the wheelchair restraint mechanism of the aforementioned embodiment, the engagement target portion may include one, three, or more strikers. The engagement portion may include: one, three, or more housing members; one, three, or more latches; and one, three, or more guide members.

(2b) In the wheelchair restraint mechanism of the aforementioned embodiment, the engagement target portion does not necessarily have to include a bumper.

(2c) In the wheelchair restraint mechanism of the aforementioned embodiment, the restraining member to which the wheelchair is restrained does not necessarily have to be a vehicle seat. For example, the restraining member may be a structure or component other than the vehicle seat, such as a wall or a frame body installed in a vehicle.

(2d) In the wheelchair restraint mechanism of the aforementioned embodiment, the engagement target portion (that is, the striker) may be provided in the wheelchair. The engagement portion (that is, the latch) may be provided in a restraining member, such as a vehicle seat.

Claim 1:
A wheelchair restraint mechanism (<NUM>) configured to restrain a wheelchair (<NUM>) to a restraining member (<NUM>) installed on a vehicle, the mechanism (<NUM>) comprising:
an engagement target portion (<NUM>) provided in a first member, which is either one of the wheelchair (<NUM>) and the restraining member (<NUM>); and
an engagement portion (<NUM>) provided in a second member, which is the other one of the wheelchair (<NUM>) and the restraining member (<NUM>),
the engagement target portion (<NUM>) comprising at least one striker (21A, 21B) having a rod shape extending in up-down directions,
the engagement portion (<NUM>) comprising: at least one housing member (31A) configured to house the at least one striker (21A, 21B); at least one latch (32A) configured to limit separation of the at least one striker (21A, 21B) from the at least one housing member (31A); and at least one guide member (33A) configured to guide the striker (21A, 21B) towards the at least one housing member (31A),
wherein the at least one guide member (33A) comprises a first guide surface (<NUM>) and a second guide surface (<NUM>), which face each other in width directions of the wheelchair (<NUM>) restrained to the restraining member (<NUM>) and have a distance therebetween decreasing towards the at least one housing member (31A), wherein
the engagement portion (<NUM>) comprises: a base (<NUM>) provided with the at least one housing member (31A) and the at least one guide member (33A), characterized by
a position adjustment mechanism (<NUM>) configured to bias the base (<NUM>) towards a center in the width direction and to hold the base (<NUM>) movably in the width direction.