Abstract: An improved panel wall system is disclosed with means for interconnecting the panels in any desired angular relationship while providing a sight barrier through the joint. As many of the panels may be connected as are desired; and they may be placed in any desired configuration. Each panel includes an insert assembly to provide its exterior face; and these may be removed and changed, if desired. A full line of shelving and cabinets may be assembled to the panels with a limited number of interchangeable components. The cabinets include a flipper door which will not rack when opened or closed, and which slides beneath the top of the cabinet in the open position, yet has its edges flush with the top and bottom of the cabinet in the closed position.

Abstract: A wheelchair retainer mechanism as disclosed including a housing having an outwardly opening mouth dimensioned to receive a wheelchair wheel. The mouth is formed by a pair of jaws, each pivotally mounted to the housing for movement from a first position permitting entrance of the rim of a wheelchair wheel into the housing to a second position closing off the mouth of the housing to thereby lock the wheelchair in place. A shiftable jaw closure is slidably supported on the housing and is engaged by an entering wheelchair wheel and pivots the jaws from the first position to the second, locked position. A plunger lock, mounted to the housing, automatically shifts to a position locking the jaws in their second, closed position.

Abstract: A transportation seat for a vehicle and which is capable of absorbing impact energy during a crash or rapid maneuver to thereby reduce or eliminate the severity of and occurrence of injury to a passenger includes a support frame having a leg structure and fixedly secured to the floor of the vehicle. A seat frame adapted to support the seat cushions is slidably connected to the support frame. A plurality of springs positioned between the support frame and the slidable seat frame permit controlled movement of the seat in a forward direction when impacted from the rear to thereby absorb energy of the impact. Further, the head impact area of the seat back is padded and the knee impact area of the seat back is covered by a plastic back panel which encloses a closed cell foam. The upper frame is capable of absorbing energy by deaccelerating the passenger in a crash situation in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing grab rail for a transit vehicle seat has a longitudinal core material and a covering material around the core material. Passenger movement assistance is provided with no or only slight deflection of the grab rail. Passenger restraint during abrupt movements of the vehicle such as occur in a collision is provided by a core having greater deflective characteristics in a selective direction and a resilient covering material. Additional passenger restraint is provided by deformation of the core material.

Abstract: A patient room headwall unit consisting of an integral module for suspension on the headwall of a hospital room between two patient beds. The unit, which is prewired during assembly at the factory, includes a center section having provisions for gas, communication or nurse call and electrical services, the same being accessible at either bed through use of pendant controls and the like. It also includes a lighting section at either side of the central section for providing reading light and both high and low intensity general room illumination at each patient bed. The unit, ordinarily, will be installed in conjuction with ceiling-drop services and a telescopic shroud is provided to conceal these services once installation has been completed.

Abstract: A seat back is provided with a replaceable headrest cover including an elongated retainer securable to the seat back adjacent the top transverse edge of the headrest portion, a sheet material cover, and a clasp insertable through the retainer and through the cover for positively yet removably securing the sheet material cover to the headrest.

Abstract: A seating system having a number of rows which may be extended for use or retracted for storage is provided with individual chairs. As each row is moved forwardly relative to the next higher row, the chair backs pivot to the upright or use position where they are latched. As each row is moved rearwardly relative to the next higher row, the latches holding the chair backs in the use position are released and the chair backs are engaged by the deck of the next higher row to fold the chair backs downwardly and forwardly to the closed or storage position so that they may be stored in the space between adjacent decks.

Abstract: A flame-resistant cushion includes a frame, an inner core of foamed polyurethane material carried by the frame, and an exterior layer of foamed neoprene bonded to and completely covering the entire surface area of the top, front, back and both sides of the core material. A metal pan is also secured to the seat frame to enclose the bottom of the cushion. In making the cushion, a latex water emulsion of neoprene is foamed and deposited in a thin layer on a carrier sheet. This composite lines a mold with the foam side engaging the mold; and unreacted polyurethane foam is poured into the mold. The adhesive properties of the polyurethane cause it to bond to the carrier sheet as it gels forming an integral cushion material with a covering of neoprene for greater fire resistance.

Abstract: A removable insert for a transit chair shell has a plurality of studs protruding from the back of the insert. A plurality of openings in the chair shell receive the studs. A movable restraining means prevents withdrawal of the studs thereby securely positioning the insert to the chair shell. The restraining means is arranged to be moved longitudinally and rotationally and the insert removed without disassembly of the chair from its operational configuration.

Abstract: An adjustable back vehicle seat has a means of reducing the moment arm of the seat back to a length less than the full length of the seat back. The seat has a back adjustment mechanism with the above said means providing a stop means for limiting the forwardly rotating movement of the seat back in event a force applied to the back overcomes the holding force of such mechanism. In one embodiment the seat is a driver's seat having a shoulder harness. In another embodiment the seat is a passenger seat.

Abstract: A seating system includes a plurality of telescoping seating sections each including a platform and a rear riser. The rear riser for each seating section includes an elongated continuous metal extruded riser beam which defines a longitudinal slot for mounting the rear legs of folding chairs. The nose portion of each platform also contains a slotted, extruded beam which is located directly above the riser beam of a lower seating section when the system is opened for use. The slots facilitate installation and alignment of the chairs, while the extruded nose and riser beams cooperate to provide rigidity and support for opened seating sections. Additional elements such as hand rails, aisle lights, etc. may be mounted to the slots.

Abstract: A removable insert for a transit chair shell has a plurality of studs protruding from the back of the insert. A plurality of openings in the chair shell receive the studs. A removable restraining means prevents withdrawal of the studs thereby securely positioning the insert to the chair shell. The restraining means is arranged to be moved and the insert removed without disassembly of the chair from its operational configuration.

Abstract: A multi-passenger seat is supported by a lower cantilever frame which comprises a horizontal seat frame and an inclined arcuate truss support frame. The horizontal seat frame includes two elongated horizontal stretcher members attached at one end to the wall of a vehicle and at least two cross frame members interconnecting the stretcher members at laterally spaced locations. The inclined arcuate truss support frame is located beneath the horizontal seat frame; and it includes fore and aft inclined arcuate frame members rigidly attached at their upper ends to the stretcher tubes respectively at locations preferably on the aisle side of the transverse center of the horizontal seat frame. The inclined arcuate support frame members extend downwardly from the seat frame and preferably they converge toward each other. They are connected to the wall at locations above the floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A two-passenger seat for public transportation vehicle includes a frame of rectangular tubing with a recessed seat area for receiving a one-piece molded plastic shell which is provided with contoured seat and back areas for each of two side-by-side passengers. A single pedestal having a rectangular cross section elongated in the fore-and-aft direction is located beneath the seat spaced inwardly of the aisle end. Separate replaceable cover inserts are received in the seat and back contoured portions which act to retain passengers in place during turns while providing versatility and modification possibilities in seat and back covers.

Abstract: In a row seating structure a series of telescoping rows are provided, each row having spaced vertical carriage-mounted columns, each having a cantilever arm adapted to rest upon the next adjacent column when the telescoping structure is extended and a transverse rear riser beam connecting the columns in the row and equipped with forwardly extending supporting arms anchored at their rear upon the riser, and a spectator tread or platform supported by the arms, the arms also providing a seat above the forward end of the tread panel or platform.