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 refractor, 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 improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a system comprising a barrier module and a wall-side module, which incorporate three separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at three separate attachment points. 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, three restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures in, for example, a generally right-triangular configuration.

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 three separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at three separate attachment points. 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, three restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures in, for example, a generally right-triangular configuration.

Abstract: A rear facing wheelchair passenger station for securing a wheelchair in a large accessible transit vehicle. The station includes a forward excursion barrier for preventing forward movement of a wheelchair, lateral excursion barriers for preventing undesired lateral and rearward movement of the wheelchair, wall side flip seats which are adapted to covert the wheelchair passenger station for use by non-wheelchair persons, hand holds, high friction floor material for assisting in the prevention of movement of the wheelchair, and an electro-pneumatic control system.

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 three separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at three separate attachment points. 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, three restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures in, for example, a generally right-triangular configuration.

Abstract: A track fitting with a spring loaded plunger for use in securing an anchor to a floor track mounted in a vehicle. The track fitting includes an anchor with at least one engaging lug, preferably on each side of the anchor, and a spring loaded plunger with at least one post, preferably one on each side of the plunger, that is registered to a lug to lock the anchor into the floor track when the fitting. The fitting includes visual indicia to signal an installer that the plunger is at least approximately in the locked position.

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.

Abstract: The embodiment described and claimed herein are improved barrier-type wheelchair securement systems. In particular, one embodiment of a barrier includes an integral shoulder belt assembly, two integral wheelchair restraint assemblies, and two integral lap belt assemblies. The wheelchair restraint and lap belt assemblies comprise retractors which can be mounted external or internal to the barrier. The integral shoulder belt assembly could be connected to a vertical telescoping member which is movable from a first position, wherein the telescoping member is housed inside of the barrier, to a second position, wherein the shoulder belt assembly is disposed at a proper height for a wheelchair passenger. Alternatively, the shoulder belt assembly could be rigidly mounted to the barrier in a fixed position, or could be adjustable to accommodate passengers of varying size.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein relate to opening in a housing for a retractor. The opening includes structures which reduce the risk of twisting webbing passing through the opening and, thereby, interfering with the proper functionality of the retractor. The openings can include one or more guide surfaces which incorporate some combination of features which smooth out the webbing as it enters the retractor and/or urge the webbing into alignment with the retractor opening. In addition, or in the alternative, the height of the opening can be modified to closely conform to the maximum thickness of the webbing. The guide surfaces can be integrally formed with the retractor housing or can be provided by an insert piece which attaches to the housing. In one embodiment, the guide surface is disposed along an upper wall of the opening and is curvilinear and outwardly diverging.

Abstract: The inventions described and claimed herein relate to securement devices which are generally used to secure wheelchairs in transit vehicles such as a bus. The preferred embodiment of the inventions is a telescoping arm for a wheelchair anchor which is biased by a spring member or the like in an extended position. The arm is adapted to be at least partially retracted into a housing of the wheelchair anchor, thereby significantly reducing the overall length and size of the wheelchair anchor. The arm of the wheelchair anchor, when unused in the retracted position, protrudes less into an area of the bus which would otherwise be useable by standing passengers. Both the arm and the housing of the wheelchair anchor have securement devices such as restraints attached, such that the wheelchair may be tied down with restraints or the like. The preferred wheelchair anchor also includes a lock and release member which is adapted to lock the arm in the retracted position.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a restraint belt retractor, comprises a latch portion, a cable with a first end arranged to be joined to the latch portion and a second end arranged to be operatively associated with the restraint belt retractor, the latch portion being movable between a first position in which the cable is arranged to maintain the restraint belt retractor in a locked position and a second position in which the cable is arranged to maintain the restraint belt retractor in a released position, a displacement portion for displacing the latch portion between the first and second positions, the latch portion being biased toward the first position, a suspension portion for suspending the latch portion at or near the second position for a predetermined period of time, thereby to permit operation of the restraint belt retractor in the released position.

Abstract: The inventions described and claimed herein are systems or components for a rear facing wheelchair passenger station and include a forward excursion barrier for preventing forward movement of a wheelchair, lateral excursion barriers for preventing undesired movement of a wheel chair, wall side flip seats which are adapted to convert the wheelchair passenger station for use by non-wheelchair persons, hand holds, high friction floor material for assisting in the prevention of movement of the wheelchair, and an electro-pneumatic control system.

Abstract: A docking system for securing a wheelchair into a vehicle in which a docking shoe is firmly attached to either the frame of the wheelchair or to the floor of the vehicle, or both. A firm anchor device, which may be a second docking shoe, is firmly attached to the other of the floor and wheelchair. A docking arm is mounted vertically in the anchor device and the wheelchair is positioned in the vehicle so that the docking shoe and the anchor device are vertically aligned one above the other so that the docking arm can be slidably and releasably locked into the docking shoe. Preferably, the docking shoe 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.

Abstract: A docking system for securing a wheelchair into a vehicle in which a docking shoe is firmly attached to either the frame of the wheelchair or to the floor of the vehicle, or both. A firm anchor device, which may be a second docking shoe, is firmly attached to the other of the floor and wheelchair. A docking arm is mounted vertically in the anchor device and the wheelchair is positioned in the vehicle so that the docking shoe and the anchor device are vertically aligned one above the other so that the docking arm can be slidably and releasably locked into the docking shoe. Preferably, the docking shoe includes an electrically operated, spring loaded, release mechanism.

Abstract: A track fitting with a spring loaded plunger for use in securing an anchor to a floor track mounted in a vehicle. The track fitting includes an anchor with at least one engaging lug, preferably on each side of the anchor, and a spring loaded plunger with at least one post, preferably one on each side of the plunger, that is registered to a lug to lock the anchor into the floor track when the fitting. The fitting includes visual indicia to signal an installer that the plunger is at least approximately in the locked position.

Abstract: A docking system for securing a wheelchair into a vehicle in which a docking shoe is firmly attached to either the frame of the wheelchair or to the floor of the vehicle, or both. A firm anchor device, which may be a second docking shoe, is firmly attached to the other of the floor and wheelchair. A docking arm is mounted vertically in the anchor device and the wheelchair is positioned in the vehicle so that the docking shoe and the anchor device are vertically aligned one above the other so that the docking arm can be slidably and releasably locked into the docking shoe. Preferably, the docking shoe includes an electrically operated, spring loaded, release mechanism.

Abstract: A docking system for securing a wheelchair into a vehicle in which a docking shoe is firmly attached to either the frame of the wheelchair or to the floor of the vehicle, or both. A firm anchor device, which may be a second docking shoe, is firmly attached to the other of the floor and wheelchair. A docking arm is mounted vertically in the anchor device and the wheelchair is positioned in the vehicle so that the docking shoe and the anchor device are vertically aligned one above the other so that the docking arm can be slidably and releasably locked into the docking shoe. Preferably, the docking shoe 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.

Abstract: A spring loaded double plunger track fitting for use in securing a wheelchair or the like to a floor track mounted in a vehicle. The track fitting includes at least four track engaging lugs on each side thereof and a pair of spring loaded plungers between adjacent pairs of lugs to lock into the floor track when the fitting slides therealong. A visual means to indicate when the plungers are in the locked position may be provided.

Abstract: A wheelchair restraint system which includes a floor mounting track, an anchor slidably mountable in said mounting track, and a seat belt retractor directly swivelly mounted on the anchor for movement in a single plane. In a preferred embodiment the seat belt retractor has a planar lower surface which lies in a substantially horizontal plane which is parallel to the mounting track when in operative position.