U.S. patent application number 14/692456 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-27 for wheelchair assembly and system for ingress/egress to a vehicle using a door of a vehicle as support.
The applicant listed for this patent is HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. Invention is credited to James Lee, Shinji Maeshiro.
Application Number | 20160310333 14/692456 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57046579 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160310333 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maeshiro; Shinji ; et
al. |
October 27, 2016 |
WHEELCHAIR ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM FOR INGRESS/EGRESS TO A VEHICLE
USING A DOOR OF A VEHICLE AS SUPPORT
Abstract
A entry and exit assist system for a vehicle has a mounting slot
formed within a door of the vehicle. A wheelchair has a set of
wheels and a seat coupled to the set of wheels, wherein the set of
wheels are one of detachable from or foldable under the wheelchair.
A supporting connector is coupled to the wheelchair. The supporting
connector slides into and engages the mounting slot holding the
wheelchair above a ground area when the set of wheels are one of
detached from or folded under the wheelchair. A seatback is
slideably mounted on a track in the vehicle. Closing the door with
the supporting connector engaging the mounting slot and holding the
wheelchair above a ground area positions the wheelchair in the
vehicle. The seatback provides back support for a user of the
wheelchair.
Inventors: |
Maeshiro; Shinji; (Cypress,
CA) ; Lee; James; (Gardena, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
57046579 |
Appl. No.: |
14/692456 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 5/0486 20130101;
B60N 2/7005 20130101; A61G 3/02 20130101; B60N 2/06 20130101; A61G
5/08 20130101; B60N 2/32 20130101; A61G 5/1083 20161101; B60N 2/245
20130101; B60N 2/64 20130101; A61G 5/1067 20130101; A61G 5/0875
20161101 |
International
Class: |
A61G 5/08 20060101
A61G005/08; B60N 2/24 20060101 B60N002/24; B60J 5/04 20060101
B60J005/04; B60N 2/64 20060101 B60N002/64; B60N 2/06 20060101
B60N002/06; A61G 5/10 20060101 A61G005/10; B60N 2/32 20060101
B60N002/32 |
Claims
1. An entry and exit assist system for a vehicle comprising: a
mounting slot formed within a door of the vehicle; a wheelchair
comprising: a set of wheels; a seat coupled to the set of wheels,
wherein the set of wheels are one of detachable from or foldable
under the wheelchair; a wheelchair seatback; and a sliding hinge
coupled to the wheelchair seatback and the seat adjusting the
wheelchair seatback from an upright to one of a position under or
within the seat; a supporting connector coupled to the wheelchair,
the supporting connector sliding into and engaging the mounting
slot holding the wheelchair above a ground area when the set of
wheels are one of detached from or folded under the wheelchair; and
a seatback slideably mounted on a track in the vehicle; wherein
closing the door with the supporting connector engaging the
mounting slot and holding the wheelchair above a ground area
positions the wheelchair in the vehicle, the seatback providing
back support for a user of the wheelchair.
2. The system of claim 1, comprising a retractable support pedestal
coupled to a lower section of the door.
3. The system of claim 1, comprising a handle formed in the door
supporting the user when pulling the supporting connector into and
along the mounting slot.
4. The system of claim 1, comprising one of a removable or a
retractable wheelchair seatback.
5. (canceled)
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the wheelchair comprises a slot
formed within the seat storing the wheelchair seatback when the
wheelchair setback is position within the seat.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the wheelchair comprises
connectors coupled to the wheels and the wheelchair folding the
wheels underneath the wheelchair.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the seat of the wheelchair
expands lifting and moving legs of the user.
9. The system of claim 1, comprising an adjustable platform coupled
to a floor of the vehicle raising and lowering the seat of the
wheelchair when positioned in the vehicle.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting slot and supporting
connector holding a bottom section of the seat of the wheelchair at
a height approximately even with a floor of the vehicle.
11. An entry and exit assist system for a vehicle comprising: a
wheelchair comprising: a set of wheels; a seat coupled to the set
of wheels, wherein the set of wheels are one of detachable from or
foldable under the wheelchair; a wheelchair seatback; and a sliding
hinge coupled to the wheelchair seatback and the seat adjusting the
wheelchair seatback from an upright to one of a position under or
within the seat; a mounting slot formed within a door of the
vehicle; a supporting connector coupled to the wheelchair, the
supporting connector sliding into and engaging the mounting slot
holding the wheelchair above a ground area when the set of wheels
are one of detached from or folded under the wheelchair; a handle
formed in the door supporting the user when pulling the supporting
connector into and along the mounting slot; a retractable support
pedestal coupled to a lower section of the door; and a seatback
slideably mounted on a track in the vehicle; wherein the mounting
slot and supporting connector holding a bottom section of the seat
of the wheelchair at a height approximately even with a floor of
the vehicle, closing the door with the supporting connector
engaging the mounting slot and holding the wheelchair above a
ground area positions the wheelchair in the vehicle, the seatback
providing back support for a user of the wheelchair.
12. (canceled)
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the wheelchair comprises a slot
formed within the seat storing the wheelchair seatback when the
wheelchair setback is position within the seat.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the wheelchair comprises
connectors coupled to the wheels and the wheelchair folding the
wheels underneath the wheelchair.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the seat of the wheelchair
expands lifting and moving legs of the user.
16. The system of claim 11, comprising an adjustable platform
coupled to a floor of the vehicle raising and lowering the seat of
the wheelchair when positioned in the vehicle.
17-20. (canceled)
21. An entry and exit assist system for a vehicle comprising: a
mounting slot formed within a door of the vehicle; a wheelchair
comprising: a set of wheels; a seat coupled to the set of wheels,
wherein the set of wheels are one of detachable from or foldable
under the wheelchair; and connectors coupled to the wheels and the
wheelchair folding the wheels underneath the wheelchair; a
supporting connector coupled to the wheelchair, the supporting
connector sliding into and engaging the mounting slot holding the
wheelchair above a ground area when the set of wheels are one of
detached from or folded under the wheelchair; and a seatback
slideably mounted on a track in the vehicle; wherein closing the
door with the supporting connector engaging the mounting slot and
holding the wheelchair above a ground area positions the wheelchair
in the vehicle, the seatback providing back support for a user of
the wheelchair.
22. An entry and exit assist system for a vehicle comprising: a
wheelchair comprising: a set of wheels; a seat coupled to the set
of wheels, wherein the set of wheels are one of detachable from or
foldable under the wheelchair; and connectors coupled to the wheels
and the wheelchair folding the wheels underneath the wheelchair; a
mounting slot formed within a door of the vehicle; a supporting
connector coupled to the wheelchair, the supporting connector
sliding into and engaging the mounting slot holding the wheelchair
above a ground area when the set of wheels are one of detached from
or folded under the wheelchair; a handle formed in the door
supporting the user when pulling the supporting connector into and
along the mounting slot; a retractable support pedestal coupled to
a lower section of the door; and a seatback slideably mounted on a
track in the vehicle; wherein the mounting slot and supporting
connector holding a bottom section of the seat of the wheelchair at
a height approximately even with a floor of the vehicle, closing
the door with the supporting connector engaging the mounting slot
and holding the wheelchair above a ground area positions the
wheelchair in the vehicle, the seatback providing back support for
a user of the wheelchair.
23. An entry and exit assist system for a vehicle comprising: a
mounting slot formed within a door of the vehicle; a wheelchair
comprising: a set of wheels; and a seat coupled to the set of
wheels, wherein the set of wheels are one of detachable from or
foldable under the wheelchair; a supporting connector coupled to
the wheelchair, the supporting connector sliding into and engaging
the mounting slot holding the wheelchair above a ground area when
the set of wheels are one of detached from or folded under the
wheelchair; a seatback slideably mounted on a track in the vehicle;
and an adjustable platform coupled to a floor of the vehicle
raising and lowering the seat of the wheelchair when positioned in
the vehicle; wherein closing the door with the supporting connector
engaging the mounting slot and holding the wheelchair above a
ground area positions the wheelchair in the vehicle, the seatback
providing back support for a user of the wheelchair.
24. An entry and exit assist system for a vehicle comprising: a
wheelchair comprising: a set of wheels; and a seat coupled to the
set of wheels, wherein the set of wheels are one of detachable from
or foldable under the wheelchair; a mounting slot formed within a
door of the vehicle; a supporting connector coupled to the
wheelchair, the supporting connector sliding into and engaging the
mounting slot holding the wheelchair above a ground area when the
set of wheels are one of detached from or folded under the
wheelchair; a handle formed in the door supporting the user when
pulling the supporting connector into and along the mounting slot;
a retractable support pedestal coupled to a lower section of the
door; a seatback slideably mounted on a track in the vehicle; and
an adjustable platform coupled to a floor of the vehicle raising
and lowering the seat of the wheelchair when positioned in the
vehicle; wherein the mounting slot and supporting connector holding
a bottom section of the seat of the wheelchair at a height
approximately even with a floor of the vehicle, closing the door
with the supporting connector engaging the mounting slot and
holding the wheelchair above a ground area positions the wheelchair
in the vehicle, the seatback providing back support for a user of
the wheelchair.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application generally relates to a wheelchair
for handicapped or disabled individuals, and more specifically, to
a wheelchair assembly and system that allows for ingress/egress to
a vehicle without the need for an individual in the wheelchair
assembly to dismount from the wheelchair seat and which allows for
the wheelchair assembly to be positioned within the vehicle and
allowing unobstructed deployment of an airbag within the
vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Individuals who may be confined to a wheelchair may desire
the ability to use motor vehicles such as passenger cars, vans,
buses and trucks (hereinafter vehicles). The availability of hand
controls for operating motor vehicles may provide disabled
individuals confined to a wheelchair, a certain degree of autonomy
by allowing them to operate the vehicle. With the ability to drive
vehicles, individuals who may be confined to a wheelchair can
experience a high degree of mobility and independence.
[0003] One problem facing the disabled driver, as well as
wheelchair users riding as passengers, is entering and exiting the
vehicle. Various wheelchair assist mechanisms have been developed
which may allow for the lifting and positioning of the wheelchair
into the vehicle. However, these wheelchair assist mechanisms may
be costly and may add considerable weight to the vehicle. The added
weight of the wheelchair assist mechanisms may adversely affecting
the fuel economy of the vehicle.
[0004] Lifting mechanisms have been designed that may lift the
individual confined to the wheelchair out of the wheelchair and
into the vehicle. These types of lifting mechanisms may be costly
and may add considerable weight to the vehicle. Further, these
lifting mechanisms require either the individual in the wheelchair
or another individual to fold and place the wheelchair in the
vehicle.
[0005] Many vehicle safety systems such as airbags may be designed
based on the proper positioning of a vehicle occupant in a
deployment zone. Vehicle safety system may be deployed based on
readings monitored by sensors located in the vehicle. For example,
a vehicle seat sensor may indicate position and/or weight of the
occupant in the vehicle seat. Present wheelchair assist mechanisms
generally modify the vehicle by removing the vehicle seat. Thus,
present wheelchair assist mechanisms may alter the effective
operation of airbag deployment by blocking the deployment of the
airbag.
[0006] Therefore, it would thus be desirable to provide a system
and method that overcome the above problems by providing a
wheelchair assist system that allows for easy ingress/egress
to/from a vehicle and which allows for the deployment of an airbag
within the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment, an entry and exit assist
system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system has a mounting slot
formed within a door of the vehicle. A wheelchair has a set of
wheels and a seat coupled to the set of wheels, wherein the set of
wheels are one of detachable from or foldable under the wheelchair.
A supporting connector is coupled to the wheelchair. The supporting
connector slides into and engages the mounting slot holding the
wheelchair above a ground area when the set of wheels are one of
detached from or folded under the wheelchair. A seatback is
slideably mounted on a track in the vehicle. When the supporting
connector engages the mounting slot and holds the wheelchair above
a ground area, closing the door positions the wheelchair in the
vehicle. The seatback provides back support for a user of the
wheelchair.
[0008] In accordance with one embodiment, an entry and exit assist
system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system has a wheelchair
comprising a set of wheels and a seat coupled to the set of wheels,
wherein the set of wheels are one of detachable from or foldable
under the wheelchair. A mounting slot is formed within a door of
the vehicle. A supporting connector is coupled to the wheelchair.
The supporting connector slides into and engages the mounting slot
holding the wheelchair above a ground area when the set of wheels
are one of detached from or folded under the wheelchair. A handle
is formed in the door supporting the user when pulling the
supporting connector into and along the mounting slot. A
retractable support pedestal is coupled to a lower section of the
door. A seatback is slideably mounted on a track in the vehicle.
When the mounting slot and supporting connector holds a bottom
section of the seat of the wheelchair at a height approximately
even with a floor of the vehicle, closing the door with the
supporting connector engaging the mounting slot and holding the
wheelchair above a ground area positions the wheelchair in the
vehicle. The seatback provides back support for a user of the
wheelchair.
[0009] In accordance with one embodiment, a method of inserting and
removing a wheelchair to and from a vehicle is disclosed. The
method comprises: inserting a supporting connector of the
wheelchair into a mounting slot on a door of the vehicle; removing
wheels on the wheelchair, closing the door to position the
wheelchair inside the vehicle; and adjusting a position of a
vehicle seatback
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present application is further detailed with respect to
the following drawings. These figures are not intended to limit the
scope of the present application but rather illustrate certain
attributes thereof.
[0011] FIG. 1A is side view of a vehicle implementing an exemplary
wheelchair assist system in accordance with one aspect of the
present application;
[0012] FIG. 1B is side view of the exemplary wheelchair assist
system depicted in FIG. 1A with a seatback of the wheelchair in a
reclined position in accordance with one aspect of the present
application;
[0013] FIG. 1C is side view of the exemplary wheelchair assist
system depicted in FIG. 1A with wheels of the wheelchair in a
retracted/removed position in accordance with one aspect of the
present application;
[0014] FIG. 1D is side view of the exemplary wheelchair assist
system depicted in FIG. 1A with the wheelchair positioned within
the vehicle and the seatback of the vehicle pushed back in
accordance with one aspect of the present application;
[0015] FIG. 1E is side view of the exemplary wheelchair assist
system depicted in FIG. 1A with the wheelchair positioned within
the vehicle and the seatback moved forwarded towards the driver of
the vehicle in accordance with one aspect of the present
application;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a rear view of an exemplary wheelchair used in
the vehicle assist system depicted in FIG. 1A in accordance with
one aspect of the present application;
[0017] FIG. 2B is a rear view of the exemplary wheelchair depicted
in FIG. 2A with the wheels of the wheelchair in a retracted
position in accordance with one aspect of the present
application;
[0018] FIG. 2C is a rear view of the exemplary wheelchair depicted
in FIG. 2A with the wheels of the wheelchair in a retracted
position and a seatback of the wheelchair in a reclined position in
accordance with one aspect of the present application;
[0019] FIG. 3A is a side view of an exemplary wheelchair used in
the vehicle assist system depicted in FIG. 1A in accordance with
one aspect of the present application;
[0020] FIG. 3B is a side view of the exemplary wheelchair depicted
in FIG. 3A attached to the vehicle assist system depicted in FIG.
1A in accordance with one aspect of the present application;
[0021] FIG. 4A is a side view of an exemplary wheelchair used in
the vehicle assist system depicted in FIG. 1A in accordance with
one aspect of the present application;
[0022] FIG. 4B is a rear view of the exemplary wheelchair assist
system depicted in FIG. 4A in accordance with one aspect of the
present application; and
[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary expandable seat that
lifts up the legs at the knee joint of a user with total paralysis
during ingress and egress of the vehicle in accordance with one
aspect of the present application.
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
[0024] The description set forth below in connection with the
appended drawings is intended as a description of presently
preferred embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to
represent the only forms in which the present disclosure can be
constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the
functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating
the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It
is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions
and sequences can be accomplished by different embodiments that are
also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this
disclosure.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, an exemplary wheelchair vehicle
system 10 and method of implementation thereof may be seen. The
system 10 may be implemented within a vehicle 12. The system 10 has
a wheelchair 14 and may allow an occupant of the wheelchair 14 to
enter and/or leave the vehicle 12 without the need to dismount from
a seat 28 of the wheelchair 14. The system 10 may use the existing
seat back 60 in the vehicle 12 to form the backing for the
wheelchair 14 when the wheelchair 14 is placed in the vehicle to
allow for the airbag to be deployed unobstructed.
[0026] The system 10 may use the door 16 of the vehicle 12 to aid
in the ingress and egress to/from the vehicle 12. The door 16 may
have an elongated slot 22. The slot 22 may be formed within the
panel of the door 16. Alternatively, a beam member having a slot 22
formed therein may be coupled to the door 16. The slot 22 may be
configured to engage and hold the wheelchair 14. The slot 22 may be
positioned at a height on the door 16 so that when the slot 22
holds the wheelchair 14 a bottom section of the seat 28 of the
wheelchair 14 is approximately at a same height as a floor 43 of
the vehicle 12.
[0027] The wheelchair 14 may have a wheelchair connector 26. The
wheelchair connector 26 may be used to engage and hold the
wheelchair 14 within the slot 22. The wheelchair connector 26 may
be part of an existing arm rest section of the wheelchair 14. The
existing arm rest section may be reinforced to allow the wheelchair
connector 26 to support a weight of the user. Alternatively, the
wheelchair connector 26 may be a separate device attached to the
wheelchair 14 to allow the wheelchair 14 to engage and be held in
the slot 22.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, a user of the wheelchair 14 may
roll themselves towards the slot 22 as symbolized by the arrow 40.
A handle 24 may be formed in the door 16. The handle 16 may be used
to allow the user to pull the wheelchair 14 towards and into the
slot 22 when the wheelchair connector 26 is aligned with the slot
22. In accordance with one embodiment, a motorized track (not
shown) may be formed in the elongated mounting slot 22. The
motorized track may be use to pull the wheelchair 14 into the slot
22 once the wheelchair connector 26 engages the slot 22.
[0029] The system 10 may have a pedestal 18. The pedestal 18 may be
retractable as shown by the bidirectional arrow 20. The pedestal 18
may extend and retract from a bottom section of the door 16. When
the user is trying to engage the wheelchair connector 26 with the
slot 22, the pedestal 18 may be lowered so that a bottom section of
the pedestal 18 engages the ground. The pedestal 18 may be used to
steady the door 16 during the engagement process, and to lessen the
torsional loading and stress on the hinges 68 that join the door 16
to the vehicle 12. During the closing of the door 16, the pedestal
18 may be retracted back into the door 16 to allow the door 16 to
close unimpeded.
[0030] The wheelchair 14 may have a seatback 38. A hinge mechanism
96 may be used to couple the seatback 38 to the seat 28 of the
wheelchair 14. The hinge mechanism 96 may allow the seatback 38 to
fold downward, as shown by arrow 52, and slide under into or under,
as shown by arrow 54, the seat 28 of the wheelchair 14 as shown in
FIG. 1B.
[0031] The wheelchair 14 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1E has
a pair of rear wheels 34 and a pair of front wheels 30 connected to
frame posts 32 and 36 of the wheelchair 14. The pair of rear wheels
34 may be fixed so as to not swivel but to rotate about an axis 33.
The pair of rear wheels 34 may be larger than the pair of front
wheels 30 and may be used as drive wheels to move the wheelchair
14. The pair of front wheels 30 may be caster type wheels that may
be used to change the direction of travel of the wheelchair 14. As
shown in FIG. 1C, the front wheels 30 and rear wheels 34 may be
removable as shown by the arrows 56 and 58. The front wheels 30 and
rear wheels 34 may be detached from the frame posts 32 and 36 or
portions of the frame post 32 and 36 supporting and holding the
front wheels 30 and rear wheels 34. Alternatively, the front wheels
30 and rear wheels 34 may collapsible so as to fold under the
wheelchair 14. The front wheels 30 and rear wheels 34 may be
detached/folded under after the wheelchair 14 is secured to the
door 16.
[0032] The system 10 may use the vehicle seatback 60 existing in
the vehicle 12. As may be seen in FIGS. 1C-1E, the vehicle seatback
60 may be moved backwards, shown by arrow 62 and forwards, shown by
arrow 64, on seating tracks 44 that are shown in FIG. 1A. The
seatback 60 may be moved backwards during the insertion of the
wheelchair seat 28 in the seating compartment 42. Once the user and
the wheelchair seat 28 is situated in the seating compartment 42,
the vehicle seatback 60 may be moved forward to a desired user
position with respect to a dashboard 46 and steering wheel 48 of
the vehicle 12 as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E. The desired position of
the vehicle seatback 60 may be stored as a memory seat setting for
future ingress and egress from the vehicle 12 for a particular
user. The seating profile may be communicated wirelessly via a key
fob or other remote control device associated with a particular
user.
[0033] The system 10 may have a platform 45. The platform 45 may be
formed on the floor 43 of the vehicle 12. The platform 45 may be
adjustable to raise and/or lower a height of the platform 45. The
adjustability of the platform 45 may ensure that the bottom section
of the seat 28 is in contact with and supported by the platform 45.
Once the seat 28 is in contact with and supported by the platform
45, the adjustability of the platform 45 may allow the user to
raise and/or lower the height of the seat 28 so that the user may
see above the dashboard 46 and the surrounding area in front of the
vehicle 12.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, one exemplary embodiment of a
wheelchair 70 operative with the system 10 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1E
may be seen. The wheelchair 70 may have a seat 28. A seatback 38
may be coupled to the seat 28. A rear left wheel 34L and a right
wheel 34R may be connected to the wheelchair 70 with retractable
and folding connectors 72L, 72R, respectively. The connectors 72L,
72R may rotate and/or swivel to allow the rear left and right
wheels 72L, 72R to be placed under the wheelchair seat 28 as shown
in FIG. 2B. The front wheels which may not be visible from the rear
view shown, may also be connected with retractable and folding
connectors to the wheelchair 70.
[0035] The seat 28 may have a slot 74 formed therein. The slot 74
may be used for stowing the seatback 38. A hinge mechanism 96 may
be used to couple the seatback 38 to the seat 28 of the wheelchair
14. The hinge mechanism 96 may allow the seatback 38 to be placed
in a retracted position and slide into the slot 74 as shown in FIG.
2C. Alternatively, the wheelchair 70 may be configured to have the
seatback 38 detachable. In this embodiment, once the seatback 38
has been detached from the seat 28, the seatback 38 may be placed
in the slot 74.
[0036] The wheelchair 70 may have one or more arm rests 76. The arm
rest 76 may fold down as shown by the dotted outline 76 in FIG. 2C.
The wheelchair connector 26 may be integrated to and form part of
the arm rest 76. Alternatively, the wheelchair connector 26 may be
a device separate from the arm rest 76. The wheelchair connector 26
may be used to allow the wheelchair 70 to engage the slot 22.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, an exemplary embodiment of a
wheelchair 80 operative with the system 10 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1E
may be seen. The wheelchair 80 may have a seat 28. Wheels 82 may be
coupled to the wheelchair 80 via frame post 36 and 38. The
wheelchair 80 may be a self-propelled electrically driven
wheelchair 80. The use of a motor to drive the wheels 82 may allow
for the wheels 82 to be smaller in size, since the wheelchair
occupant may not have to applying thrust with their arms to the
wheels to move or propel the wheelchair 80 as is the case for
wheelchair 70. As in previous embodiments, the wheelchair connector
26 may form part of the arm rest or may be a separate device to
allow the wheelchair 80 to engage the slot 22.
[0038] The wheelchair 80 may have a seatback 38. If a seatback 38
is provided, the seatback 38 may be placed in a slot 74 formed in
the seatback 38. A hinge mechanism 96 may be used to couple the
seatback 38 to the seat 28. The hinge mechanism 96 may allow the
seatback 38 to be placed in a retracted position and slide into the
slot 74. Alternatively, the wheelchair 80 may be formed without a
seatback 38.
[0039] A wheelchair connector 26 may be coupled or integral to the
seat 28. The wheelchair connector 26 may be used to allow the
wheelchair 70 to engage the slot 22.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4B, an exemplary embodiment of a
wheelchair 90 operative with the system 10 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1E
may be seen. The wheelchair 90 may have a seat 28 but is backless.
The wheelchair 90 may have larger rear wheels 34 connected to the
seat 28 via the frame post 36. The smaller front wheels 30 may be
connected to the seat 28 via frame posts 32. As shown in FIG. 4B
the front wheels 30 and rear wheels 34 may be removed from the
wheelchair 90 as shown by the arrows 56 and 58 when the wheelchair
90 is secured to the door 16. Arrow 86 is illustrative of the
swinging motion of the door 16 closing and placing the backless
wheelchair seat 84 in the vehicle 12.
[0041] A wheelchair connector 26 may be coupled or integral to the
seat 28. The wheelchair connector 26 may be used to allow the
wheelchair 70 to engage the slot 22.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, a side view of an exemplary wheelchair
seat 92 may be shown. The seat 92 may be used with any of the
wheelchairs 14, 70, 80 or 90. The seat 92 may expands to aid the
user in lifting up the user's legs 94. The seat 92 may expands to
aid in lifting up the user's legs 94 at a knee joint 96. The
lifting of the legs 94 may allow for the legs 94 to clear a
threshold of the vehicle seating compartment 42. The expansion of
the wheelchair seat 92 may be accomplished with an inflatable
bladder or a mechanical device. The expansion may be controlled by
the wheelchair occupant, and may be expanded continuously or in
steps such as expanded position one EP1 and expanded position two
EP2.
[0043] The foregoing description is illustrative of particular
embodiments of the application, but is not meant to be a limitation
upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all
equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the
application.
* * * * *