Tie down loop for motorized wheelchair

Details Tie down loop for motorized wheelchair Tie down loop for motorized wheelchair

1998-11-13

2001-05-22

Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)

Freight accommodation on freight carrier

Particular article accommodation

Wheeled vehicle

C410S011000, C410S023000, C180S907000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06234732

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to wheelchairs and more particularly, to tie down points for wheelchairs. Most particularly, the invention relates to a tie down bracket for wheelchairs to create tie down points for securing a wheel chair in a vehicle.
Wheelchairs generally include a frame that supports a pair of drive wheels and a pair of front casters. The drive wheels and casters are typically rigidly supported by the wheelchair frame. The drive wheels make contact with the ground and are driven to propel the wheelchair. The drive wheels may be driven manually or powered by an electrical motor. The wheelchair supports a seat assembly comprising a seat and a backrest. The seat assembly is oriented above and between the drive wheels and the front casters to provide stability.
Wheel chairs are frequently transported in vehicles with the user in them. Typically, the user drives the wheelchair onto a lift attached to the vehicle. The lift is operated to raise the wheelchair into the vehicle. The user stays in the wheelchair while the vehicle is being driven. Often, the wheelchair is secured simply by setting the brakes. Perhaps some minimum kind of tie down is provided. At worst this tie down might consist of nothing more than opposing shock cords that do little more than prevent rocking of the wheelchair as the vehicle turns. At best, high-test nylon webbing is looped through any convenient location in the frame or wheels.
Tremendous forces are generated inside a vehicle every time an accident occurs. These forces are so great that it is not uncommon for individuals secured to a vehicle seat with a lap and shoulder harness to suffer injuries ranging from deep bruising to cracked ribs. Obviously, someone sitting in an unsecured or barely secured wheelchair will be severely injured. The likelihood of injury decreases if the wheelchair is secured with webbing. However, the combination of a motorized wheelchair and its user can easily weigh 500 lbs. (227 kg). In an accident, the force generated by such mass is focused at the point where the webbing passes through the frame or wheels. Considering that typical casual tie down points are not engineered to withstand such focused forces, its not surprising that wheelchairs fail to stay secured in place during vehicle accidents.
Thus is would be desirable to have tie down points through which a wheelchair could be safely and securely tied down in a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above objects as well as other objects not specifically enumerated are achieved by a wheelchair comprising a base frame having a longitudinal axis, and a forward end and a rearward end joined by a first side frame and a second side frame, each side frame being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The wheelchair also includes a first motor and a second motor. A first mounting bracket is affixed on the first side frame and a second mounting bracket affixed on the second side frame. The first and second mounting brackets have a main body including a motor gear bore for securing the first motor or the second motor, a front tie down point directed toward the forward end of the frame, and a rear tie down point directed toward the rearward end of the frame.
According to this invention there is also provided a mounting bracket for supporting a motor for a wheelchair, the mounting bracket providing front and rear tie down points. The mounting bracket comprises a main body configured, such as with a series of bores, to be attached to the wheelchair, and also comprises a bore for securing the motor. A front portion of the main body defines the front tie down point, and a rear portion of the main body defines the rear tie down point.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2948253 (1960-08-01), Coonrod
patent: 4103934 (1978-08-01), Arnholt et al.
patent: 4147318 (1979-04-01), McDonald
patent: 4257644 (1981-03-01), Stephens
patent: 4389056 (1983-06-01), Tenniswood
patent: 4427210 (1984-01-01), Wevers
patent: 4455046 (1984-06-01), Linderoth
patent: 4492403 (1985-01-01), Blomgren et al.
patent: 4688843 (1987-08-01), Hall
patent: 4690364 (1987-09-01), Constantin
patent: 4826193 (1989-05-01), Davis
patent: 4934722 (1990-06-01), Goetzelman
patent: 4973022 (1990-11-01), Mayland
patent: 5026225 (1991-06-01), McIntyre
patent: 5044847 (1991-09-01), Saunders et al.
patent: 5186269 (1993-02-01), Avakian et al.
patent: 5391030 (1995-02-01), Lee
patent: 5431524 (1995-07-01), Antal et al.
patent: 5823723 (1998-10-01), Finch
patent: 5888038 (1999-03-01), Ditch et al.
patent: 5944131 (1999-08-01), Schaffner et al.
ANSI/RESNA WC/19 Standards for Wheelchairs Used as Seats in Motor Vehicles, pp. 9 and 10, published Oct. 1997.
SAE J2249 Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint Systems for use in Motor Vehicles, p. 42, published Oct. 1996.
ISO/CD Proposed Standards 7176/ 19-1, Annex D, Specifications for Strap-Type Securement Points on Wheelchairs, p. 22, published Jule 1997.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Tie down loop for motorized wheelchair does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Tie down loop for motorized wheelchair, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tie down loop for motorized wheelchair will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2472053