Wheelchair restraint system
OwnerAlbert W. Joynerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electromechanical system for securing a wheelchair to the floor of a transportation vehicle. The system is operable by a wheelchair encumbent or vehicle driver through the use of a multiple position switch which controls a motor actuated tie down hook and a pair of adjustable chocks so that the wheelchair wheels are secured directly to the vehicle floor with the wheelchair remaining in a horizontal position.
Claims5
An automatic tie-down restraint system for safely securing a person in a wheelchair while traveling in a motor vehicle, the wheelchair having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, said automatic tie-down restraint system comprising:
- (a) coupling means adapted to be attached to the frame of the wheelchair for coupling the wheelchair to the motor vehicle;
- (b) retractable engaging means including a retractable arm and a hook secured to said arm said arm rotatable from a horizontal position on the vehicle floor to a vertical position for engaging said coupling means in order to secure the wheelchair to the floor of the motor vehicle;
- (c) rear chock means adapted to be attached to the floor of the motor vehicle for restraining rearward motion of the wheelchair;
- (d) adjustable restraint means cooperating with said retractable engaging means for restraining forward motion of the wheelchair when said retractable engaging means is engaged to said coupling means;
- and
- (e) power actuating means for operating said engaging means in order to secure the wheelchair to the floor of the motor vehicle and in order to selectively release the wheelchair, said power actuating means including an electromechanical actuator, a multiple position retractable piston movably coupled with said actuator, an extension rod, a clevis and pin assembly connecting said piston to one end of said rod, a cable coupling said retractable arm to the other end of said extension rod, connecting means for operatively coupling said retractable engaging means to said adjustable restraint means so that the wheelchair can be simultaneously secured to the floor and restrained from forward motion;
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- (f) means for activating said electromechanical actuator and for controlling said retractable engaging means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.