Valeda Company, LLC

Sure-lok International, LLC

Edgardo Cardona

Patrick Girardin

Damian Jackson

Aaron Kiser

Ovidius Turcanu

Provided herein is a controller configured to determine the position, direction, or speed of a wheelchair during ingress or egress in a wheelchair accessible vehicle. The controller may receive input from any combination of sensors configured to provide signals indicative of the wheelchair position, direction, or speed, such as cameras, light curtains, and floor pressure sensors. The controller can be configured to sense and correct unsafe conditions, such as the wheelchair approaching an edge of a ramp, and to sense when the wheelchair has reached a final securement position and/or has departed the vehicle.

Wheelchair location sensing device for a wheelchair accessible vehicle

A retractor with a sensor assembly, comprising an indicator element and a sensor assembly that generates a signal when the indicator element is within a detection range of the sensor, for detecting the length of withdrawn restraint. The indicator element can be located anywhere along the length of the restraint. In one implementation, the retractor is a motorized retractor and the location of the indicator element is selected whereby the sensor generates the signal when the restraint is nearly or fully withdrawn. In an alternative implementation, the retractor is a motorized retractor configured to winch a wheelchair into a wheelchair securement area of a vehicle and the location of the indicator element is selected whereby the sensor detects the indicator element when a wheelchair is in a desired securement position.

Retractor restraint sensor assembly and stop

The embodiments described and claimed herein include an automated securement system that secures a wheeled mobility device for transit in a vehicle, and periodically re-secures the wheelchair to ensure proper securement despite shifting of the wheelchair during transit. The embodiments also include improvements to a compression-based wheeled mobility device securement system.

Mobility device securement system

An occupancy sensor is provided for detecting the occupancy status of a wheeled mobility device securement system. The occupancy sensor may additionally confirm adequate 'tightness' of the wheeled mobility device securement system and/or provide an indication of the magnitude of “tightness.” In one embodiment, the occupancy sensor comprises a spring-loaded follower that breaks the straight-line path of a wheeled mobility device tie down as it travels between two touch points. The follower is displaceable from an extended position to a compressed position in response to the magnitude of tension applied to the tie down. Proximity sensors are used to detect the displacement distance of the follower, thereby providing an indication of occupancy, adequate securement, and/or the magnitude of tension.

Occupancy sensor for wheeled mobility device restraint

Provided herein is a electronically-controlled wheelchair securement system with a winch apparatus that is adapted for pulling and steering a mobility device (e.g., wheelchair, scooter, stretcher, etc.) up and down the ramp of a rear-entry wheelchair accessible vehicle and for providing securement for the mobility device during transport. The system includes two motorized front tie-down units adapted to be positioned in the vehicle at the front of the wheelchair securement area. The front tie-down units have extendable/retractable restraints adapted to connect to the front corners of the mobility device frame. By varying the motor speed between the two front tie-down units, the mobility device can be steered up the ramp. For example, when pulling the mobility device up the ramp, the mobility device can be directed to the left by increasing the speed of the right tie-down unit, slowing the speed of the left tie-down unit, or both. Similarly, the mobility device can be directed to the right by increasing the speed of the left tie-down unit, slowing the speed of the right tie-down unit, or both. Similar adjustments can be made to the speeds of the motors when the mobility device is being directed down the ramp.

Mobility device securement system with winch apparatus

A retractor may include various features that reduce the amount of space necessary to secure an object, for example, a wheelchair in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the webbing is designed to come off of the top of the retractor spool, which shifts the webbing take-off point from the spool rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In another embodiment, the retractor is provided with a webbing guide that rotates around at least a portion of the circumference of the retractor spool. The rotatable guide also shifts the take-off point from the webbing guide rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In yet another embodiment, the retractor is provided with both a rotatable webbing guide and webbing that comes off of the top of the spool.

Retractor with space-saving features

Provided herein is a balanced locking pawl. In particular, the center of gravity of the locking pawl is located at or near the pivot point of the locking pawl. The balanced approach allows for a faster locking response during the rebound (whiplash/return) forces of a crash.

Balanced locking pawl for a retractor

A tensioning device is provided for tensioning a retractor in a wheelchair securement system. The tensioning device may include a clutch assembly for communicating rotational movement of a handle to a drive shaft operably connected to the spool of the retractor. The clutch assembly may include a pawl operably connected to the handle, which pawl communicates rotational movement of the handle to a drive sprocket. The clutch assembly may also include a friction member which communicates rotation of the drive sprocket to the drive shaft up to a predetermined amount of rotational force. If the rotational force exceeds the predetermined amount, the friction member will slip and cease to transfer rotational movement from the drive sprocket to the drive shaft. The clutch assembly may also include a compression member for compressing the friction member and drive sprocket whereby the predetermined amount of force may be adjusted.

Mobility restraint device tensioner

An occupancy sensor is provided for detecting the occupancy status of a wheeled mobility device securement system. The occupancy sensor may additionally confirm adequate 'tightness' of the wheeled mobility device securement system and/or provide an indication of the magnitude of 'tightness.' In one embodiment, the occupancy sensor comprises a spring-loaded follower that breaks the straight-line path of a wheeled mobility device tie down as it travels between two touch points. The follower is displaceable from an extended position to a compressed position in response to the magnitude of tension applied to the tie down. Proximity sensors are used to detect the displacement distance of the follower, thereby providing an indication of occupancy, adequate securement, and/or the magnitude of tension.

A track fitting assembly for engagement with an L-track is disclosed herein. The track fitting assembly includes an anchor with at least one, but preferably three track engaging lugs extending from each side of the anchor. The anchor includes a load beam whose cross-section is larger than the anchor portion not comprising the load beam. The top surface of the load beam rises above the top surface of the track. A stud extending upwards from the load beam, and because it sits above the track, the diameter of the stud is not limited by the narrowed portions of the L-Track or the load beam. The track fitting assembly also includes a locking mechanism comprising at least one index member on each side, wherein the index members fit between the lugs of the anchor. The locking mechanism comprises an opening for receiving one or both of the load beam and the stud. A nut secures hardware to the track fitting assembly through engagement with the stud.

Heavy duty track fitting

The embodiments described and claimed herein relate to a wheelchair securement system that includes a wheelchair securement area, wherein the securement area comprises a front end and a rear end. The securement system includes a first restraint, a second restraint, a third restraint, and a fourth restraint, each of which is anchored near the front end of the securement area and is adapted to extend from the front end of the securement area, wherein the first restraint and the second restraint are adapted to connect to a front portion of the wheelchair, and the third restraint and the fourth restraint are adapted to connect to rear portion of the wheelchair.

Growing community of inventors

Pompano Beach, FL, United States of America

Edgardo Cardona