U.S. patent application number 12/083160 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-27 for wheel chair docking system.
Invention is credited to Jean-Marc Girardin, John Kazanchy.
Application Number | 20090214314 12/083160 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35196843 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090214314 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Girardin; Jean-Marc ; et
al. |
August 27, 2009 |
Wheel Chair Docking System
Abstract
A docking system for securing a wheelchair into a vehicle in
which docking fixtures are firmly attached to the frame of the
wheelchair and the floor of the vehicle, either directly or by
attachment to a support which is attached to either the frame of
the wheelchair or the floor of the vehicle. A male docking fixture
is mounted on a support to the underside of the wheelchair, which
is positioned in the vehicle so that the male docking fixture and
the female docking fixture are aligned and the male docking fixture
can be slideably and releasably locked with the female docking
fixture. Preferably, the female docking fixture includes an
electrically operated, spring loaded, release mechanism, and may
also include a slide mechanism to allow limited forward and
rearward movement of the wheelchair while under restraint.
Inventors: |
Girardin; Jean-Marc; (Golden
Beach, FL) ; Kazanchy; John; (Canton, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID I. ROCHE;BAKER & MCKENZIE LLP
130 EAST RANDOLPH DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60601
US
|
Family ID: |
35196843 |
Appl. No.: |
12/083160 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
December 23, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US05/46709 |
371 Date: |
December 17, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
410/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 3/0808 20130101;
B60P 3/073 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/7 |
International
Class: |
B60P 3/06 20060101
B60P003/06 |
Claims
1. A wheelchair docking system for releasably securing a wheelchair
to the floor of a vehicular conveyance, comprising: a male and a
female docking fixture, which when coupled connect the wheelchair
to the floor; the male docking fixture adapted for secure
attachment to one of either the wheelchair or the floor, and
further adapted for releasable locking engagement with a female
docking fixture; a female docking fixture adapted for secure
attachment to the other of either the support or the floor; the
female docking fixture further adapted for locking engagement with
the male docking fixture, whereby the female docking fixture and
male docking fixture are the only structures securing the
wheelchair to the floor of the vehicular conveyance, the female and
male docking fixtures generally restricting the rotational movement
of the wheelchair.
2. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
male docking fixture is carried by a support attached to the
underside of a wheelchair, and the female docking fixture is
affixed to the floor of a vehicle.
3. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
male docking fixture comprises an elongated foot with an engagement
part comprising lateral surfaces merging to form a front edge of
the male docking fixture, the male docking fixture having an
opening extending through the engagement part, the opening adapted
for releasable locking engagement with a releasable latching bolt
carried by the female docking fixture.
4. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
female docking fixture includes a docking port with an entry way
adapted to slideably receive the male docking fixture and wherein a
position indicator light is adjacent to the docking port;
5. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 4 comprising a
mechanical actuator adapted to move the releasable latching bolt
comprising an actuating lever and cable.
6. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
system comprises a support with an internally threaded collar, the
male docking fixture being adapted for secure and adjustable
rotational attachment to the collar.
7. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
male docking fixture comprises a threaded shaft adapted for secure
and adjustable rotational attachment with the collar.
8. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 7, including a
removable pin adapted to lock the male docking fixture with the
collar in a desired axial position.
9. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the
latching bolt is spring loaded and comprises a beveled end adapted
for releasable locking engagement with the opening extending
through the engagement part of the male docking fixture.
10. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 9 including a
pivotally mounted lever operatively connected to the spring loaded
latching bolt and adapted to move the latching bolt from a locked
position to an unlocked position so as to allow disengagement of
the male docking fixture from the female docking fixture.
11. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the
latching bolt is alternatively moveable by a manually operable
lever and an electrically operated solenoid switch.
12. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 2 in which the
male and female docking fixtures are adapted to engage in a
generally horizontal relative sliding motion.
13. A wheelchair docking system for releasably securing a
wheelchair to the floor of a vehicular conveyance, comprising: a
male docking fixture adapted for secure attachment to one of the
wheelchair or the floor, and further. adapted for releasable
locking engagement with a female docking fixture; a male and a
female docking fixture, which when coupled connect the wheelchair
to the floor and the floor; a male docking fixture being
height-adjustable and comprised of an elongated foot with an
engagement part having lateral surfaces disposed at an acute angle
and merging to form a front edge and further adapted for releasable
locking engagement with a female docking fixture in a generally
lateral relative sliding motion; a female docking fixture, adapted
for secure attachment to the other of either the support or the
floor, and comprising a docking port with an entry way adapted for
releasable locking engagement with the male docking fixture,
whereby the female docking fixture and male docking fixture are the
only structures securing the wheelchair to the floor of the
vehicular conveyance; the engagement of the male and female docking
fixtures forming a connection that generally restricts the
rotational movement of the wheelchair.
14. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
system comprises a support with an internally threaded collar, the
male docking fixture being adapted for secure and adjustable
rotational attachment to the collar.
15. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
male docking fixture includes a threaded shaft adapted for secure
and adjustable rotational attachment with the collar.
17. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 13 including a
removable pin adapted to lock the male docking fixture with the
collar in a desired axial position.
18. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
female docking fixture is securely attached to the floor of the
vehicular conveyance and wherein a position indicator light is
adjacent to the docking port;.
19. A wheelchair docking system as claimed in claim 13 where in the
releasable latching bolt is moveable into and out of engagement
with the male docking fixture, the latching bolt being moveable by
both a manual actuating lever and a solenoid operated cable.
20. A wheelchair docking system for releasably securing a
wheelchair to the floor of a vehicular conveyance, comprising: a
male docking fixture extending from a support, the male docking
fixture comprising a threaded shaft adapted for height adjustment
relative to the support and a collar carried by the support, the
male docking fixture comprising an elongated foot with an
engagement part and having a central opening and lateral surfaces
disposed at an acute angle which merging to form a front edge, the
support and male docking fixture being adapted for secure
attachment to the underside of a wheelchair; a female docking
fixture adapted for secure attachment to the floor of the vehicular
conveyance, comprising a docking port with a tapered entry way and
a spring loaded latching bolt disposed transverse to the entry way
and adapted for releasable locking engagement with the opening in
the male docking fixture; the male docking fixture adapted for
releasable locking engagement with a female docking fixture in a
generally lateral relative sliding motion; whereby the female
docking fixture and male docking fixture are the only structures
securing the wheelchair to the floor of the vehicular conveyance,
and sides of the tapered entry way form an acute angle that
generally matches with the acute angle of the sides of the male
docking fixture to achieve a connection that generally restricts
the rotational movement of the wheelchair.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0001] The welfare and safety of persons being transported in
wheelchairs, three wheeled scooters, power bases and the like is of
ever increasing concern and many jurisdictions have enacted
stringent safety requirements for devices to secure the wheelchair
into the transport vehicle and the occupant into the wheelchair.
Numerous structures, most of which are reasonably effective, have
been suggested in the prior art, but they frequently require the
attachment of a plurality of straps or the like to one or more
anchor points in the vehicle. After attachment the straps have to
be tightened either by the wheelchair occupant or by an attendant.
Frequently, the wheelchair occupant has neither the physical
strength nor the manual dexterity to manipulate the necessary
straps and the like. This means that the attendant, or vehicle
driver must spend several minutes securing each wheelchair in
his/her charge into the vehicle. There have been some attempts to
provide self attachment devices in the past and attention is
directed to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,690,364 and 6,474,916 in which a
locking mechanism is secured either beneath or to the rear of a
wheelchair and releasably locked to a post similarly mounted,
either under or behind the wheelchair, on the floor of the vehicle.
While reasonably effective in certain circumstances, problems of
automatic unlocking and twisting or rotation of the wheelchair
about the vertical post still remain. Thus, there remains a need
for an automatic wheelchair docking system that can, if desired, be
operated automatically by the occupant or an attendant from a
central or other convenient location, or that can be operated
manually by either the attendant or the wheelchair occupant. It
will also be appreciated that some wheelchair occupants may be the
driver of the vehicle, usually provided that the vehicle is
equipped with hand controls.
Object of Docking System
[0002] The docking system described herein can be operated
manually, or automatically, from a central or other convenient
location. A male docking fixture is releasably but securely
attached to a support beneath the seat of the wheelchair so that
the free end of the male docking fixture can engage securely with a
female docking fixture attached to the floor. Alternatively, the
male docking fixture may be permanently or releasably mounted on
the floor of the vehicle and engeagable with a female docking
fixture mounted securely on the underside of the wheelchair. The
female docking fixture, whether it is on the floor or mounted
beneath the wheelchair seat may be provided with a power operated
latch mechanism so as to secure and release the male docking
fixture. The male docking fixture may include a power transmission
cable to transmit power to a female docking fixture secured beneath
the seat of the wheelchair via complementary sliding contacts on
the male docking fixture and the female docking fixture.
[0003] Once the wheelchair is attached to the floor, the system may
provide limited forward and rearward position adjustment to
facilitate a comfortable driving position for the wheelchair
occupant.
[0004] The wheelchair docking system is designed with male and a
female docking fixtures, one connected to the wheelchair and the
other connected to the floor, which when engaged with each other,
connect the wheelchair to the floor and restrict the ability of the
wheelchair to rotate.
[0005] The wheelchair docking system is designed such that the male
docking fixture is height-adjustable and comprised of an engagement
part with lateral surfaces disposed at an acute angle and wherein
the female docking fixture contains a docking port adapted to
receive the male docking fixture.
[0006] The wheelchair docking system is also designed such that the
male docking fixture is comprised of an engagement part with its
lateral surfaces disposed at an acute angle and wherein the female
docking fixture contains a docking port with a tapered entry
containing a spring-loaded latching bolt adapted to receive and
lock in place the male docking fixture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of one embodiment of the
wheelchair docking system;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a close up view of the attachment frame mounted on
the wheelchair of FIG. 1 coupled with a female docking fixture;
[0009] FIG. 3 is perspective view of one embodiment of the male
docking fixture;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the male
docking fixture of FIG. 3;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view of the male docking
fixture of FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of coupled male and female
docking fixtures according to another embodiment of a wheelchair
docking system;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the system of FIG. 6 in
the loading or unlatched position;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the system of FIG. 6 in
the locked position;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a side view of the male docking fixture useable in
the system shown in FIGS. 6-8;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view of a double male docking fixture
useable in the system shown in FIGS. 6-8;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a plan view in partial section of another
embodiment of coupled male and female docking fixtures;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a side view in partial section of the docking
fixtures shown in FIG. 11;
[0019] FIG. 13 is an end view of the female docking fixture shown
in FIGS. 11 and 12;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of an alternative male docking
fixture;
[0021] FIG. 15 is an exploded side elevational view of the male
docking fixture shown in FIGS. 11 and 12;
[0022] FIG. 16 is a horizontal sectional view (corresponding to
16-16 of FIG. 12) of the male docking fixture and the corresponding
female docking fixture engaged with one another, except that the
shape of the docking fixtures in FIG. 16 are slightly different
than the docking fixtures of FIG. 12;
[0023] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a docking system with
remote control;
[0024] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the docking system of FIG.
17 in a forward position;
[0025] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the docking system of FIG.
17 in a rearward position; and
[0026] FIG. 20 is a front view of a dash control console for use
with the wheelchair docking system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In FIG. 1 there is shown a wheelchair I having a
quadrilateral frame 2 securely mounted to the side frame members 3,
4 of the wheelchair 1. Frame 2 includes cross members 50 for added
strength, and supports a centrally mounted female docking fixture 5
(as seen more clearly in FIG. 2). A female docking fixture 5 is
bolted to the cross members 50 of the quadrilateral frame 2 and is
designed to engage the circular flange 22 of a male docking fixture
19 securely mounted directly to the floor of a vehicular conveyance
in any conventional manner such as with screws or bolts.
Alternatively, the male docking fixture 1 may be indirectly
attached to the floor by first affixing the base of the fixture 19
to a plate that is then attached to the floor. Once the flange of
the male docking fixture 22 is engaged with the female docking
fixture 5, an opening in the female docking fixture 52 aligns with
an axial, spring loaded locking pin 23 that extends through the
opening and locks the fixtures in place. Alternatively, the female
docking fixture may be affixed to the end of a connecting shaft 6
(as seen in FIG. 3) which is securely mounted to the wheelchair or
the floor in any conventional manner such as screwing. In this
arrangement, the female docking fixture 5 then similarly engages a
male docking fixture 19. Sloped entry ramp 20 on the top of the
male docking fixture 19 acts as a guide for the female docking
fixture as the wheelchair approaches the docked position. A
circular neck 21, having a circular flange 22, is mounted
vertically on fixture 19 and is provided with an axial, spring
loaded, locking pin 23, which may be electrically actuated from a
central location by the driver or by the wheelchair occupant, by a
solenoid switch 24. Vertical locator pins 25, 26 may also be
mounted on fixture 19 and positioned so as to permit limited
rotation of shaft 6 or to restrict rotation of shaft 6, as
described in more detail below. In order to engage with fixture 19,
the end of connecting shaft 6 has a flange housing 27 having a top
28 secured to the connecting shaft 6 and a lower inwardly directed
flange 29 (see FIG. 2), the top surface of which is adapted to
slideably engage the lower surface of flange 22 (as seen in FIG.
3). When fully engaged, spring loaded pin 23 extends through the
axial bore so as to releasably lock flange housing 27 to the
docking fixture 19. It will be appreciated that the position of
pins 25, 26 is a matter of choice so as to either permit limited
rotation of connecting shaft 6 and hence of the wheelchair, or to
substantially preclude angular rotation when pins 25, 26 abut flat
face 30 of flange housing 27. In order to release the wheelchair,
the pin 23 is retracted by actuation of solenoid switch 24, either
by the wheelchair occupant or by the attendant. In order to
facilitate smooth mating of flange housing 27 with flange 22, the
edge 30 of flange housing 27 and the circumferential rim of flange
22 are preferably beveled.
[0028] In FIG. 6 is shown another embodiment of the wheelchair
docking system. A threaded connecting shaft 36 is securely mounted
the wheelchair or to a support in any conventional manner such as
screwing. The opposite end of shaft 36 is provided with an
integrally formed hammer headed like foot 55 having a sloping
leading edge 7, flat lateral sides 54 and a squared trailing face 8
(see FIGS. 9 and 10). The shaft 36 and the foot 55 combine to form
a male docking fixture that is able to couple with the female
docking fixture 9. The shaft 36 is of sufficient length that, when
attached to the bottom of a wheelchair 1, provides normal ground
clearance but can engage a floor mounted female docking fixture 9
which is securely bolted, at any selected position on the floor of
a vehicular conveyance (not shown), by means of bolts 16. Fixture 9
is provided with a flared and sloped entry 10 at one end with flat
internal lateral walls 56 for sliding engagement with the leading
edge 7 and flat lateral sides 54 of connecting shaft 36 when the
wheelchair is positioned thereabove. Edge 7 then rides over a
spring loaded latching bolt with a beveled front end 11 thereby
compressing spring 12 (FIG. 7) and allowing the arm to fully enter
the fixture 9 until the front 13 thereof abuts the face of the
docking fixture 9, as seen in FIG. 6, and flat lateral sides 54 of
shaft 36 glide along flat internal lateral walls 56 of the female
docking fixture. Once fully engaged with the female docking
fixture, the shaft 36 clears bolt II and allows spring 12 to extend
and drive bolt 11 upwardly so that the vertical face 14 thereof
abuts the rear face 8 of shaft 36, thereby locking the shaft and
fixture together. In the locked position, the internal lateral
walls 56 of the female docking fixture 9 abut the lateral sides 54
of shaft 36 and securely fasten the wheelchair in the vehicle
without any possibility of the wheelchair swiveling or twisting
about the central axis thereof and without any need to tighten or
adjust restraining straps and the like by either the wheelchair
occupant or the attendant. The elongated slope 7 of the foot 55
further serves to limit the extent to which a wheelchair may rotate
when the foot is engaged in the female docking fixture 9.
[0029] In order to release the wheelchair from the locked position
in this arrangement it is merely necessary to raise the free end of
the lever 15, pivotally mounted about a fulcrum 16 and engaging
with bolt 11, from the locked position shown in FIG. 8 to the
unlocked position shown in FIG. 7. This may be accomplished
manually if necessary but it will be appreciated that this is
impossible for a wheelchair occupant and somewhat awkward and
inconvenient for the attendant. It is preferred, therefore, that
the release be effected by the attendant from a central or other
convenient location such as the driver's seat. To facilitate
release, a conventional solenoid switch 17 is mounted beneath the
end of lever 15 with the end of plunger 18 thereof in contact with
lever 15. Upon activation of solenoid 17, plunger 18 extends from
the retracted position shown in FIG. 8 to the extended position
shown in FIG. 7, thereby forcing bolt 11 down to the unlocked
position shown in FIG. 7 and releasing arm 6. Power for solenoid 17
may be provided in any conventional manner such as wires from the
control position and the vehicle battery, or from an internal power
source which may be actuated by any conventional remote control
system such as a radio signal.
[0030] It will be appreciated that the female docking fixture 9 may
also be mounted to a quadrilateral frame 2 on a wheelchair 1 and
the connecting shaft 36 may be mounted on the floor of the vehicle.
This arrangement has the advantage that the shaft 36 is in the
vehicle at a fixed position which facilitates the accurate location
of a plurality of wheelchairs in the vehicle. It also allows for
somewhat greater ground clearance for the wheelchair when it is not
in the vehicle. Power to actuate solenoid 17, now located on
wheelchair 1, may be provided from the wheelchair power supply if
so equipped, an internal power supply or by leads passing
internally through shaft 36 and contact shoes (not shown) on female
docking fixture 9.
[0031] FIGS. 11-12 and 15-16 show a third embodiment wherein the
wheelchair docking system is comprised of male docking fixture 76
with an elongated foot 78 that has been adapted for slideable
locking engagement with a docking port 74 located in the female
docking fixture 58. The female docking fixture 58 is comprised of a
steel base 101 from which riser columns 102 extend upwardly to
support a docking port having a rectangular entry way. The entry
way 74 is flared (seen most clearly in FIG. 13) and converges
toward a terminal rectangular portion 96 (as shown in FIG. 16)
within which the engagement part 80 of the elongated foot 78 docks.
The female docking fixture contains a centrally located latching
bolt 82 disposed transverse to its entry way. Preferably, the
latching bolt 82 is spring loaded and comprises a beveled end 84
adapted to allow the front edge 86 of elongated foot 78 of the male
docking fixture (FIG. 15) to slide into the docking port. As the
front edge 86 of foot 78 rides over the bolt 82, the spring is
compressed (not shown), forcing the bolt downward and allowing the
engagement part to fully enter the docking port (as seen in FIG.
12) until the front edge 86 thereof abuts the walls of the docking
port (as seen in FIG. 11), whereupon a central opening 88 in the
engagement part 80 aligns with bolt 82 and allows the spring (not
shown) to extend and drive the bolt upwardly, thereby locking the
fixtures together (as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12). When the
engagement part 80 of the foot 78 is engaged with the female
fixture, its parallel lateral sides 94 abut the lateral inner walls
96 of the terminal rectangular portion of the docking port 74. The
entry way of the female docking port 74 is flared both laterally
and vertically (as seen in FIG. 13) and is adapted to facilitate
engagement with the male docking fixture 76 when the wheelchair
occupant approaches the stationary position from a generally
frontal trajectory. The port has sufficient vertical space to allow
engagement with a male docking fixture that is only generally
vertically aligned with the docking port in order to account for
changes in weight of the wheelchair occupant, variances in the
relative vertical positioning of the docking fixtures, differences
in wheelchair tire size, and the like. Additionally, the female
docking fixture contains a microswitch 73 (see FIG. 13) in the
docking port which verifies when the foot of the male fixture is
fully engaged in the docking port, and a second microswitch
adjacent to the latching bolt (not shown), which verifies when the
bolt is in the extended and locked position. When both switches
have been actuated, a signal is sent to the console 37 (see FIG.
20) indicating that the wheelchair is securely engaged in the
vehicle.
[0032] The male docking fixture 76 comprises an elongated foot 78
with an engagement part 80 narrower at its free end than the width
at the end by which it is attached to a support plate 89. The
lateral surfaces of the elongated foot 92 are disposed at an acute
angle, preferably but not necessarily being approximately 45
degrees, and merging to form front edge 86 which is adapted to
engage the docking port 74 from a wide variety of angles.
Alternatively, the lateral surfaces of the elongated foot merge
into a rectangular engagement part with a curved front edge having
its parallel sides 94 narrower than the portion of the foot
attached to the support plate. In addition the engagement part of
the foot 80 is thinner than the portion of the foot containing the
threaded shaft 66. Once fully engaged, the front edge of the
engagement part 86 will abut the walls of the docking port 74, and
the parallel lateral surfaces 94 of the engagement part will abut
the inner lateral walls 96 of the docking port (as seen in FIG.
16), thus establishing a secure connection and aligning the central
opening 88 in the engagement part 80 with the spring loaded bolt 82
housed within the female docking fixture. This connection allows
the docking fixtures to have an approximately 1-3 degree angular
displacement relative to one another so as to generally restrict
the rotation of the wheelchair relative to the vehicular
conveyance.
[0033] In FIG. 15 it can be seen that the male docking fixture
further comprises a shaft 66 which is attached to a support plate
89 comprising an apparatus designed for adjustable and locking
engagement with the shaft at any desired vertical and axial
position, the support plate 89 being further attached to either the
wheelchair or the ground. Preferably, but not essentially, the
shaft 66 is threaded (as shown in FIG. 15) for secure and
adjustable rotational attachment with an internally threaded collar
98 in the support plate 89. Rotating the shaft 66 of the male
docking fixture 76 relative to the collar 98 would then provide for
varying height adjustment of the fixture depending upon the length
of the shaft and distance between the threads thereon. To secure
the male fixture 76 in a desired vertical and axial position in the
collar 98, openings (not shown) in the collar 98 and the shaft 66
would align at varying points of rotation, thus allowing a
fastening device, preferably, but not essentially, a pin 100 with a
spring loaded locking ball at one end, or the like, to be inserted
through the openings once in the desired alignment. The support
plate 89 has bolt holes 90 which allow bolts to secure the plate to
the underside of a manually operated or electrical wheelchair, a
three-wheeled scooter, or any other apparatus with which the
docking system is used. Alternatively, the support could be
designed so as to be integral to the male docking fixture, thus
allowing for direct attachment of the male docking fixture to the
floor or wheelchair (not shown).
[0034] In order to release the wheelchair from the locked position
it is merely necessary to move the free end of the lever 62,
pivotally mounted about an axis 60 and engaging a cable 64 which
actuates the spring loaded bolt 82. This may be accomplished
manually if necessary but it will be appreciated that this may be
impossible for a wheelchair occupant and somewhat awkward and
inconvenient for the attendant. It is preferred, therefore, that
the latching bolt be moveable by both a manual actuating lever 62
and a solenoid switch 68. This would allow the release to be
effected by the attendant from a central or other convenient
location, such as the driver's seat. To facilitate release, a
conventional solenoid switch 68 is mounted adjacent to lever 58
with its plunger (not shown) connected to a cable 64 which retracts
the bolt from the extended and engaged position. Upon activation of
solenoid 68, the plunger retracts from the extended position (not
shown) to the retracted position (not shown), thereby pulling bolt
82 down to the unlocked position (not shown) and releasing
engagement part 80. Power for solenoid 68 may be provided in any
conventional manner such as wires 70 from the control position and
the vehicle battery, or from an internal power source which may be
actuated by any conventional remote control system such as a radio
signal. A wheelchair docking system as described with both a manual
actuating lever and a solenoid switch ensures a greater degree of
safety in that an occupant can disengage from the vehicular
conveyance regardless of whether the solenoid switch fails to
retract the bolt from the engaged position due to power failure or
otherwise.
[0035] In certain circumstances a wheelchair occupant may be the
driver of the vehicle in which the docking system is installed
adjacent and immediately behind the steering wheel. Usually, in
such circumstance the vehicle is provided with hand controls and
the regular driver's seat is removed. A docking fixture 58 is
mounted on the vehicle floor in a suitable position rearwardly of
the vehicle steering wheel (not shown), as seen in FIG. 17. As seen
more clearly in FIGS. 18 and 19, female docking fixture 58 is
slideably mounted on a base plate 32 for movement between a forward
position as seen in FIG. 18 and a rearward position as seen in FIG.
19, when a lock (not shown) located between fixture 31 and base
plate 32 is actuated by adjustment lever 33, generally but not
essentially, located on the dashboard or sidewall of the vehicle
and accessible to the wheelchair occupant. Lever 33 is generally
operatively connected to the lock by actuating cable 34.
[0036] In operation, the wheelchair occupant docks the wheelchair
into the female docking fixture and the microswitch housed within
the wall of the docking port and the microswitch located adjacent
to latching bolt are actuated, together signaling a green light 38
on dash console 37 (as seen in FIG. 20). When the green light is
on, the occupant may either prepare to drive or may adjust his
position relative to the steering wheel. In order to adjust
position, the adjust lever 33 is depressed to temporarily disengage
female docking fixture 31 from base 32. This deactivates green
light 38 and activates flashing amber light 39, to indicate that
the wheelchair is not disengaged from the docking fixture, but is
not fully locked in position either. The wheelchair occupant can
then either slide the docking fixture forwards or backwards by
about 2''-4'' from a neutral central position so as to attain a
desired and comfortable driving position. When the desired position
is located, the adjust lever 33 is raised and the docking fixture
31 and base 32 are locked together. The amber light 39 will cease
to flash and the green light 38 will relight. In order to disengage
the wheelchair and occupant from the docking fixture completely,
the occupant may press the release button 35 on console 36 so as to
release the male docking fixture 6 from the female docking fixture
31. Upon pressing button 35, red light 40 will flash and upon
release of arm 6, will remain on constantly to indicate that the
wheelchair is not secured.
[0037] It will be appreciated that either a male docking fixture or
female docking fixture may be securely mounted to a support on the
underside of the wheelchair, with the other of a male or female
docking fixture securely attached to the floor, or alternatively to
a support thereon. Additionally, in each embodiment, female docking
fixtures 5, 9, 58 may be provided on both the floor of the vehicle
and on the wheelchair so as to provide for maximum ground clearance
for the wheelchair and an uncluttered floor in the vehicle. In this
arrangement it is, of course, necessary to modify the male docking
fixture or connecting shaft to engage the female docking fixtures
at each end thereof so that the male docking fixture or connecting
shaft can be detached from female docking fixtures which are
secured to both the wheelchair and the floor.
[0038] Furthermore, some wheelchairs have very little ground
clearance and frequently catch on obstructions on the floor. For
this reason, it is preferred that the female docking fixture 58 is
provided with a sloping top cover with as low a vertical profile as
possible so as to facilitate the wheelchair riding smoothly
thereover. The female docking fixture may also be equipped with
lights near the docking port which aid the occupant in docking the
wheelchair at night or in dark environments.
[0039] While the embodiments described thus far have referenced
placement of the wheelchair adjacent the driving position, it will
be appreciated that the docking system described herein is not
limited thereto. A docking fixture may equally well be placed at
any one or more of the seating positions in the vehicle, both front
and rear. Additionally, the adjustable features of the docking
system described herein have been described with reference to
forward and rearward motion when the wheelchair is in the operative
position and height adjustment of the male docking fixture relative
to the support. However, there may be situations when limited
lateral movement or additional vertical movement of the female
docking fixture is desired. Lateral movement can be easily achieved
by loosening the securing bolts of the slide mechanism in elongated
boltholes so as to effect the required adjustment and retightening
by the installation technician. Similarly, additional vertical
movement can be achieved by careful placement of shims or by
adjustment of lifting bolts.
[0040] Although the inventions described and claimed herein have
been depicted and described in considerable detail with reference
to certain preferred embodiments, one skilled in the art will
appreciate that the inventions claimed herein can be practiced with
other embodiments, including improvement, variations and
modifications of the embodiments shown herein. The embodiments
shown herein have been presented for purposes of illustration and
not of limitation. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended
claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred
embodiments contained herein.
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