Abstract: A mobility aid tie-down securing a mobility aid during transit in a vehicle. The mobility aid tie-down comprises a retractor secured to the vehicle at a first anchor point. The retractor has a spool and a restraint extendable therefrom. The restraint has a first restraint segment extending from the spool to a securement point on the mobility aid and a second restraint segment extending from the securement point on the mobility aid to a second anchor point. The tie-down configuration enables a load from the mobility aid during an adverse driving event to be distributed between the first restraint segment and the second restraint segment.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are a restraint system for securing a wheeled mobility device in a vehicle. In one embodiment, at least one restraint includes a hand-releasable connection to the vehicle. In other embodiments, the hand releasable connection is formed by a set of mounting details, where the mounting details include a headed stud received in a slot. In yet other embodiments, the hand releasable connection can be formed by a spring loaded locking pin that engages with a bore. In even further embodiments, the headed stud and spring loaded locking pin are coupled to the restraint, while the slot and bore are coupled to the floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pre/post-tensioning controller system for a wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint system (“WTORS”) will be a comprehensive energy management system for controlling excessive excursions of a wheeled mobility device during various adverse driving scenarios. The system uses multiple pre-tensioning and post-tensioning events during a front, side, or rear impact crash or rollover scenario—and effectively controls excursions by the tensioning of the WTORS equipment at specific and ideal moments. The system also uses tensioning events on the tie-down equipment during a long duration turn or other aggressive maneuvers. The system may also use tensioning events on the occupant restraints. The energy management system can be adapted for use with traditional four-point tie-downs and newer three- and two-point tie-down systems that incorporate fixed or movable bumpers, as well as compressive-type securement systems, and other systems as well, including docking systems.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A backrest device that normally supports an occupant and moves forward with the occupant during a forward impact/crash event. The device is equipped with a spring activated biased ratcheting mechanism that provides only forward movement, thus reducing the amount of dangerous rear excursion during the rebound phase, as measured by the occupant's head and torso.

Abstract: A computing device is provided to monitor or ascertain various characteristics of one or more of a wheeled mobility device securement system, a wheeled mobility device, and an occupant of the wheeled mobility device. The computing device can send any and all data available to it, including but not limited to time, dynamic information concerning the vehicle, the wheeled mobility device securement system, the wheeled mobility device, and the occupant, the actions taken by the computing device during an adverse driving condition, and when those actions were taken, to memory for use after the adverse driving event for analysis purposes to understand and recreate the event.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein include an automated securement system that lock a wheeled mobility device into a designated station aboard an autonomous public transit vehicle, thus preventing unintended movement that is discomforting and potentially dangerous for both the WMD user and other passengers. The automated securement system includes features that integrate with typical autonomous public transit vehicles to minimize obstruction during stowage while maximizing effectiveness during deployment.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A surface mount assembly may comprise at least one connector set, including a mount anchor and mount fitting that are configured to lockingly engage, and a remote release assembly for unlocking the two. The surface mount assembly may include a catch to catch the mount fitting as it drops from engagement with the mount anchor. The surface mount assembly may further include a guide member for guiding the mount fitting into engagement with the mount anchor. The surface mount assembly may further include a case mount assembly that is crashworthy, in that it is configured to transfer the loads from cargo contained in the case to the mount fitting, while largely bypassing the case. The surface mount assembly may also include two connector sets, where the remote release assembly is disposed between the two and is configured to simultaneous release each of the two from engagement.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a bumper being moveable from an extended or usage position to a retracted or storage position to increase the unobstructed floor area of the securement area in a vehicle.

Abstract: A backrest device that normally supports the occupant and moves forward with said occupant during a forward impact/crash event. The device is equipped with a spring activated biased ratcheting mechanism that provides only forward movement, thus reducing the amount of dangerous rear excursion during the rebound phase, as measured by the occupant's head and torso.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a drop-in system comprising a barrier module and a wall-side module, which incorporate two separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at two separate attachment points and a bumper. The system can optionally include a moveable excursion barrier or a pull-mechanism to pre-tension at least one of the restraint devices the wheelchair securements. In a simpler embodiment, a bumper and two restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures at a wall side of a wheelchair securement area or at a rear side of the wheelchair securement area.

Abstract: The restraint and retractor assembly described and claimed herein are for securing a wheelchair to a support while the wheelchair is in transit. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one securement assembly having a configuration in which a portion of the wheelchair is secured in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the securement assembly includes a retractor secured to the vehicle and a restraint that has both of its ends secured to or near the retractor and a middle segment extends to and from a spool in the retractor, a middle segment is connected to the wheelchair by a connector and passes through an opening in the connector, providing a double length of flexible webbing to secure the wheelchair to the support surface.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are a restraint system for securing a gurney in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a conventional antler and rail-type gurney restraint system is improved by the addition of a center latch restraint that engages with a latch member secured by a support bracket to the underside of the gurney. In one configuration, the latch member enters into engagement with the center latch restraint through lateral movement of the control end of the gurney. In that respect, the EMT may use the same autonomic movements used with the conventional antler and rail-type system to secure the gurney in the vehicle. Optionally, one or more of the gurney occupant restraint belts are directly connected to the support bracket, whereby occupant loads during an accident will bypass the gurney and occupant head excursions can be reduced.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein include an automated securement system that lock a wheeled mobility device into a designated station aboard an autonomous public transit vehicle, thus preventing unintended movement that is discomforting and potentially dangerous for both the WMD user and other passengers. The automated securement system includes features that integrate with typical autonomous public transit vehicles to minimize obstruction during stowage while maximizing effectiveness during deployment.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A backrest device that normally supports the occupant and moves forward with said occupant during a forward impact/crash event. The device is equipped with a spring activated biased ratcheting mechanism that provides only forward movement, thus reducing the amount of dangerous rear excursion during the rebound phase, as measured by the occupant's head and torso.