Wheelchair Patents (Class 296/65.04)
  • Patent number: 11890239
    Abstract: A vehicle, including: a panel member provided at a vehicle body, the panel member opposing a wheelchair, which has boarded the vehicle, in a vehicle width direction; a front side securing member provided at the panel member, the front side securing member being caused to contact a front portion side of a handrim of the wheelchair or a front portion side of a wheel of the wheelchair; and a rear side securing member that presses a rear portion side of the handrim or a rear portion side of the wheel toward a vehicle body front side so as to push the front portion side of the handrim or the front portion side of the wheel against the front side securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Kato
  • Patent number: 10722047
    Abstract: A baby crib may include: a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion connected together; a plurality of peripheral walls made of flexible material and secured to the frame; a bottom secured to the frame at the lower portion of the frame and surrounded by the peripheral walls; at least one of the peripheral walls having variable height; a support structure configured to support the frame and configured to increase and/or decrease a height of the bottom; and elastic return members, fixed to the lower portion of the frame, that are configured to be fixed to a bed to push or pull the frame against the bed. The upper portion, the lower portion, and the elastic return members may be rigidly movable jointly with each other and with the bottom when the height of the bottom is increased and/or decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: ARTSANA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Erica Gallina
  • Patent number: 10689020
    Abstract: A docking station to be fastened in a motor vehicle is provided to receive a stroller, such as for example a baby carriage. A stroller, which is compatible with the docking station, is additionally provided. The docking station includes an electrical connection, and the stroller is able to be connected, via the electrical connection, to an on-board power supply of the motor vehicle. The docking station is configured to provide the motor vehicle with information about a mounting status and/or docking status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carsten Starke, Thomas Baranowski, Markus Franzen, Stefan Wolter
  • Patent number: 9833367
    Abstract: A module element for a vehicle, in particular a public transport vehicle such as a bus or train, comprises a lower component and an upper component connected to the lower component at an interface. The essentially identical lower component can be combined with different upper components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Jürgen Mill
  • Patent number: 9376131
    Abstract: A modular cart for transporting and securing femtosecond lasers and other highly sensitive equipment to medical facilities by truck transit and within medical facilities by rolling the modular cart is disclosed. The modular cart includes a cart base member with rollers, a sub plate attached to the top portion of the cart base member, a control box attached to a top end portion of the cart base member, and an adaptable interface plate attached thereto the top portion of the sub plate for selectively receiving and securing highly sensitive equipment. The adaptable interface plate may be modified by size, shape, and receiving means in order to receive and secure various specific types of highly sensitive equipment. Different adaptable interface plates may be used for receiving and securing different highly sensitive equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Sightpath Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lenkman, David Massey
  • Patent number: 9326900
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle, the seat being releasably anchored to the interior of the vehicle by an anchoring mechanism and having wheels to enable it to be rolled when not anchored to the interior of the vehicle. The seat is temporarily removable from the vehicle for the purpose of seating a person in the seat while it is outside of the vehicle, before moving the seat back into the vehicle while the person remains seated in it. The wheels are retractable from a lowered position for rolling the seat, to a raised position for anchoring the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Special Transport Solutions PTY LTD
    Inventor: Peter John Bancroft
  • Patent number: 9061612
    Abstract: A device suitable for use in a transport vehicle of able people and/or people in a wheelchair is described. The device includes a foot support with a foot attachment for attachment to a vehicle floor and a rigid arm having a shoulder end and a foot end. The rigid arm is connected near the foot end to the foot support. The system also includes a safety-belt system including a safety-belt and safety-belt attachment. The safety-belt attachment has a first attachment point with belt-guiding situated near the shoulder end of the rigid arm. The rigid arm is attached to the foot support by one or more arm hinges. The rigid arm is capable of rotating around the arm hinges. In addition, a foldable chair may be mounted on the foot support. The foot support may be connected with the vehicle floor using a connector which fits in a rail in the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: BEHEERS-EN BELEGGINGSMAATSCHAPPIJ VERACHTERT B.V.
    Inventors: Sjoerd Hendrik de Bijl, Marcel Johannes Hendrikus Schouten
  • Patent number: 8814196
    Abstract: A shower assistance scooter device supports a person in a bathing facility. The device includes a base and a seat coupled to and extending upwardly from the base. The seat is rotationally coupled to the base. A handle assembly is coupled to the base and positioned adjacent to a front side of the base. The handle assembly is rotatable relative to the base. A plurality of wheels is coupled to the base including at least one drive wheel and a directional wheel coupled to the handle assembly for steering the device. A first front foot rest is coupled to the base adjacent to a front side of the base. The base, seat, handle assembly, wheels, and first front foot rest are each water resistant to support a person in a bathing facility while the person bathes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Steven K. Poggenpohl
  • Publication number: 20140084562
    Abstract: A wheelchair transit bracket assembly is provided and includes a clamp configured for attachment to a portion of a wheelchair frame. A pivot is attached to the clamp and is configured for rotation relative to the clamp. The pivot is configured for attachment to a tie-down assembly. The tie-down assembly is configured to secure the wheelchair to a vehicle during transit. A belt bracket is attached to the pivot and is configured for rotation relative to the pivot. The belt bracket is configured for attachment to a lap belt thereby forming a lap belt assembly. The lap belt assembly is configured to secure an occupant to the wheelchair during transit. In an installed position, the wheelchair transit bracket assembly is configured to transfer forces generated by the wheelchair and wheelchair occupant from the lap belt assembly to the tie-down assembly without introducing the forces to the wheelchair frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: SUNRISE MEDICAL (US), LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Anooshian, Samuel D. Traxinger, Jason Shelton, Thomas Lockton
  • Publication number: 20130328340
    Abstract: A backrest arrangement for installation in a motor vehicle for transporting wheelchair users, and a motor vehicle including the backrest arrangement. The backrest arrangement includes a fixing device that attaches the backrest arrangement to the roof of the motor vehicle. A backrest is mounted to the fixing device and is configured to support a wheelchair user. The backrest is rotatably mounted to the fixing device by a telescoping bar. The backrest may thereby be moved between a stowage position and a substantially extended operative position by rotating the backrest down from the stowage position and extending the telescoping bar. While in the stowage position, the backrest may be disposed completely in the roof region of the motor vehicle so that the backrest arrangement does not take up space in the passenger region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Gustav Bruns Maschinenbau und Förderanlagen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerit Bruns
  • Patent number: 8469431
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reconfigurable seating arrangement (10) for car, bus, trains, or the like, comprising first (1) and second (2) frame section elements connected with a backrest part (IA) and a seat part (2A), respectively. A connection and reconfiguration device (3) connects said first frame section element (1) with said second frame section element (2) so that the seating arrangement (10) can be reconfigured between a first functional state wherein the seat part (2A) and the backrest part (IA) form a seat having a backrest, and a second functional state wherein the lower part of the seat part (2A2) forms vertical support to wheelchair (20) or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Cha Be Di AB
    Inventor: Håkan Andersson
  • Patent number: 8152101
    Abstract: A handicapped accessible seat that classifies functionally as an aircraft seat is configured for maneuvering within an aircraft and docking to an aircraft floor using a typical track member having a longitudinal flange like extension and counterbores for mating with a shear plug of an aircraft seat. A bracket or track above the typical track member and containing inwardly-extending longitudinal flanges allows mating association with a plug or plunger on the wheel/caster or bottom seat structure of the handicapped accessible seat (94). A flange-like extension along the bottom portion of the track, having a planar portion along the floor of the aircraft and an outer, upward portion, could run the entire length of an aircraft or in only specific portions thereof and may also be used to guide the wheels into a locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Sondra F. Law
  • Patent number: 8109554
    Abstract: In a vehicle adapted for a driver or passenger in a wheelchair, an additional support (11) for the back of the wheelchair is fastened to an upper portion of a pillar (12, 13), a lower portion of the pillar being fastened to the floor, and the upper portion of the pillar being turnable relative to the lower portion of the pillar and turnably fastened to a bracket of the B-pillar (10) of the vehicle so that the support (11) can be swung into and out of an operative position by the turning the upper portion relative to the lower portion. The upper and lower portions have interacting inner and outer sleeves (24,19) with grooves (28,21) oriented at an angle to each other. The inner and outer sleeves are interconnected by a through bolt (22) fastened to a device inside the lower portion and arranged to move the bolt along the pillar so that the upper portion (12) of the pillar is turned when the bolt is displaced vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hedemora Anpassning AB
    Inventor: Rickard Undevik
  • Patent number: 8109551
    Abstract: Bus cabin structures including improved configurations of floors, passenger aisles and steps, interior roofs or ceilings, and door frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: New Flyer Industries Canada ULC
    Inventors: Andrew Kerr, Glen Naylor, Paul Cantin, Tomasz Cychowski, Kristopher Egilson, Jordan Fast
  • Publication number: 20110204688
    Abstract: In a vehicle adapted for a driver or passenger in a wheelchair, an additional support (11) for the back of the wheelchair is fastened to an upper portion of a pillar (12, 13), a lower portion of the pillar being fastened to the floor, and the upper portion of the pillar being turnable relative to the lower portion of the pillar and turnably fastened to a bracket of the B-pillar (10) of the vehicle so that the support (11) can be swung into and out of an operative position by the turning the upper portion relative to the lower portion. The upper and lower portions have interacting sleeves with grooves (21) oriented at an angle to each other. The sleeves are interconnected by a through bolt (22) fastened to a device inside the lower portion and arranged to move the bolt along the pillar so that the upper portion (12) of the pillar is turned when the bolt is displaced vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Rickard Undevik
  • Patent number: 7906050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheelchair having a back plate and a seat plate and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to a customized wheelchair having a back plate and a seat plate formed to fit a body shape and a manufacturing method thereof. In a method of manufacturing a customized wheelchair having a back plate and a seat plate which are designed to fit a body shape, the method includes steps of: forming a preliminary molding material which is directly formed to fit a back and a hip of a user; fixing the preliminary molding material to a molding frame; filling a foaming resin in the molding frame fixed with the preliminary molding material; hardening the foaming resin filled in the molding frame; and releasing a last molding material which is foamed and hardened to have a shape of the back and the hip of the user by the preliminary molding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Eugene Medicare Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Sung Lae Kim
  • Patent number: 7854437
    Abstract: A conversion assembly for enabling or improving wheelchair accessibility to a front-wheel-drive vehicle, wherein said assembly comprises rear suspension mountings for fixing to the structure of the vehicle in place of an existing rear suspension such that a portion of a floorpan of the vehicle of sufficient width to accommodate the width of a wheelchair can be lowered between said rear suspension mountings. A method of converting a front-wheel-drive vehicle to enable or improve wheelchair accessibility to the vehicle, the method including the steps of removing an existing rear suspension from the vehicle, installing rear suspension mountings to the vehicle, one at each side of the structure of the vehicle, and lowering a portion of the floorpan of the vehicle between said rear suspension mountings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey Duncan Watters
  • Patent number: 7641209
    Abstract: A conversion assembly for enabling or improving wheelchair accessibility to a front-wheel-drive vehicle, wherein said assembly comprises rear suspension mountings for fixing to the structure of the vehicle in place of an existing rear suspension such that a portion of a floorpan of the vehicle of sufficient width to accommodate the width of a wheelchair can be lowered between said rear suspension mountings. A method of converting a front-wheel-drive vehicle to enable or improve wheelchair accessibility to the vehicle, the method including the steps of removing an existing rear suspension from the vehicle, installing rear suspension mountings to the vehicle, one at each side of the structure of the vehicle, and lowering a portion of the floorpan of the vehicle between said rear suspension mountings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey Duncan Watters
  • Patent number: 7549690
    Abstract: An arresting device used in a cot fastening system for an emergency vehicle is disclosed. The arresting device includes an extension beam providing a bolt pattern, and a pair of antler brackets each having first and second hook portions. The present invention may be used with a plurality of prior art cots, without requiring modifications or installation changes to the emergency vehicle or the cot fastening system to which the arresting device is a part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Ferno-Washington, Inc.
    Inventors: El-B Bourgraf, Abe Arnold
  • Publication number: 20080084084
    Abstract: A supporting strut for a wheelchair has a longitudinal shaft and a cross-shaft. The cross-shaft extends perpendicularly from the longitudinal shaft and has a mounting bracket, two proximal brackets, two distal brackets, a medial pivot hole and a brace pivot hole. The mounting bracket is U-shaped, is formed on and extends longitudinally from the distal end of the cross-shaft. The proximal brackets are mounted opposite to each other on the cross-shaft near the proximal end and are connected to the longitudinal shaft. The distal brackets are mounted opposite to each other on the cross-shaft near the distal end and are connected to the mounting bracket. The medial pivot hole is formed through the cross-shaft between the proximal and distal ends parallel to the longitudinal shaft. The brace pivot hole is formed through the cross-shaft between the medial pivot hole and the proximal end parallel to the longitudinal shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: Q. S. CONTROL CORP.
    Inventor: Chang-Ting Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7100718
    Abstract: A self-propelled wheelchair (1, 101) comprising a frame (2, 102) supporting a seat (3, 103), two drive wheels (5, 105) mounted to the front of the frame, a prime mover mounted to the frame so as to drive the two drive wheels. The wheelchair having at least one castor wheel (7, 107) mounted to the rear of the frame and pivotal about a substantially vertical axis (Y), the frame being height adjustable in such a manner that when the frame is lowered, the seat is simultaneously tilted backwardly. The frame is provided with an anchoring mechanism (116) which allows the wheelchair to be releasably anchored to an anchoring element (119) secured to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Baribunma Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Peter John Bancroft
  • Patent number: 6962383
    Abstract: A vehicle seat 1 includes a seat unit, a lift-up unit and a long-sliding unit. The lift-up unit moves the seat unit between an interior and an exterior of a vehicle via a door opening portion that corresponds to a passenger seat position. The long-sliding unit moves the seat unit between a driver's seat position and the fellow passenger seat position. The lift-up unit moves the seat unit downward when the seat unit is positioned at the driver's seat position, so that the seat unit is located at a suitable position for driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Takenoshita, Yoshirou Suehiro, Tomoyuki Kuroda, Teiji Naruse, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6729829
    Abstract: A wheelchair vehicle access system, wherein the wheelchair has a detachable seat connected to a carriage, and the vehicle has a folding ramp and a pathway for movement of the seat. The carriage locks onto the ramp and the seat is detached and moved on the vehicle pathway to a desired location, where it is secured in place. The ramp is then folded, which brings the carriage into the vehicle. To unload, the ramp is extended, the seat is released and rolled back onto the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Sherrod Vans of Jacksonville, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul H. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6715816
    Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for the occupant, and also arrangement for wheelchairs that may be engaged in the position of a conventional occupant seat. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 6582181
    Abstract: A lift-up mechanism (50, 150) installed inside a vehicle serves to move a seat unit (10, 110) into or out of the vehicle. The seat unit (10, 110) is used as a passenger seat inside the vehicle and as a wheelchair outside the vehicle. Connecting plates (56, 156) are disposed on the lift-up mechanism (50, 150) permit the lift-up mechanism (50, 150) to be connected to the seat unit (10, 110) by inserting the connecting plates into connecting recesses (40, 140) formed in the seat unit (10, 110). Front wheels (60, 160) and rear wheels (70, 170) of the seat unit (10, 110) can be retracted and extended. A drive unit having an electric motor or similar drive may be provided to retract and extend the front wheels (60, 160) and the rear wheels (70, 170). An attitude changing arrangement may be provided to automatically change the attitude of the front wheels (60, 160) when the front wheels (60, 160) and the rear wheels (70, 170) are retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignees: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Matsunaga Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoshiro Suehiro, Masamitsu Iwatani, Takafumi Hijikata, Kenji Murabayashi, Mineki Ninomiya, Yoshiyuki Miura, Tomoyuki Kuroda, Takeshi Toda, Shigeyuki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 6416272
    Abstract: A lift-up mechanism (50, 150) installed inside a vehicle serves to move a seat unit (10, 110) into or out of the vehicle. The seat unit (10, 110) is used as a passenger seat inside the vehicle and as a wheelchair outside the vehicle. Connecting plates (56, 156) are disposed on the lift-up mechanism (50, 150) permit the lift-up mechanism (50, 150) to be connected to the seat unit (10, 110) by inserting the connecting plates into connecting recesses (40, 140) formed in the seat unit (10, 110). Front wheels (60, 160) and rear wheels (70, 170) of the seat unit (10, 110) can be retracted and extended. A drive unit having an electric motor or similar drive may be provided to retract and extend the front wheels (60, 160) and the rear wheels (70, 170). An attitude changing arrangement may be provided to automatically change the attitude of the front wheels (60, 160) when the front wheels (60, 160) and the rear wheels (70, 170) are retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignees: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Matsunaga Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoshiro Suehiro, Masamitsu Iwatani, Takafumi Hijikata, Kenji Murabayashi, Mineki Ninomiya, Yoshiyuki Miura, Tomoyuki Kuroda, Takeshi Toda, Shigeyuki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 6386614
    Abstract: A wheelchair system is provided for use with conventional passenger vehicles. The system includes a wheelchair frame for supporting a conventional seat of the vehicle thereon for rolling movement along the ground. The wheelchair frame includes a lift frame which permits the seat to be supported thereon at various heights and inclinations relative to the ground. A portable ramp permits the wheelchair frame to be rolled in and out of the vehicle. A docking system mounts in place of conventional existing floor anchors in the floor of the vehicle for securing the wheelchair frame thereon in a transport position. The use of the wheelchair frame and the docking system permits a vehicle such as a mini-van to be adapted to transport a disabled person requiring the use of a wheelchair, with no structural modification required to the vehicle while providing a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing seat for the disabled person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Donald A. Logan
  • Patent number: 6231283
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus for three or four-wheeled personal vehicles commonly called “scooters” and wheelchairs comprising a baseplate, left and right wheel clamp assemblies slidably mounted on the baseplate, and a cable drive connected between the wheel contact assemblies to pull them together on demand to clamp the outside surfaces of the rear wheels of the scooter. An emergency release is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas R. Stowers