CA1086140A - Wheelchair retaining clamp for buses - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure Apparatus retaining wheelchairs in stationary position in a bus type motor vehicle including retaining arms extending along and around the wheelchair wheels and gripping the wheelchair frame at the front, the arms being extendible and retractable, and a releasable chair clamping jaw, and being swingable upwardly to and out of the way position, the arm being articulated to swing the jaw transversely toward and away from the chair, the articulation in the arm providing locking for the extension and retraction of the arm, slide rails securing the retaining arms to the vehicle frame, the slide rails being wall mounted or floor mounted.

Description

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~ iEELCEiAIR .RETAINIMG CLAMP FOR BUS13S
1 This invention relates to apparatus for immobilizing wheelchairs as they may be used for carryi.ng persons in vehicles.
Backgrouncl of the Invention People who are confined to wheelchairs encounter a great deal of difficulty in traveling in vehicles such as buses because there have no-t been any good devices available for i~nobilizing the wheelchairs while in ~he vehicles.
There have been a few devices available c~mmercially which are to be aff.ixed to the sidewall oE a bus body and then simply attached to the wheelchair by means of a hook ; attached to -the rim of the main wheel of the wheelchair.
These hooks have been inadequate for the purpose intended because they do not solidly secure the wheelchair in place while in the vehicle, and damage to the rims of the wheels is likely to occur in the event of any sudden stops or starts o~ the vehicle while the wheelchair is contained therein. Furthermore, such devices have not been sufficiently flexible as to accommodate a wide variety of wheelchairs which currently exist.
Summary of the Invention The present invention makes it possible to anchor a wheelchair in a bus body so that the wheelchair is very firmly secured. The device is sufficiently flexible as to permit one or a number of wheelchairs to be accommodated simultaneously and in very close proximity to each other.
The wheelchair is grasped by its frame and held solidly against the structuxe of the bus body so that the ;
entire wheelchair and the patient carried therein is ~; 30 completely immobile relative to the body of the bus.
.- The retaining apparatus for the wheelchair is readily applicable and removable relative to the bus body so that partlcular spaces in the bus can be quickly converted ~or use in carrying a wheelchair and for other uses as may be desired.
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~il6~0 1 The present invention will accommodate mast of the common types and sizes of wheelchairs which vary considerably i.n wicl-th and ill length from front to back.
~ccording to the present i.nvention, the rubber tire of the main wheel of the wheelchair is held firmly against a fixed part of the bus frame or hody, and the resi].iency of -the rubber tire is uti.lized in assuring that the entire wheelchair is very firmly, but readily releasably attache~ to the vehicle or bus body.
In adjus-ting -the clamp:ing apparatus to fi.t a wheelchair of particular size, no tools need be utilized, .~ and the entire adjustment procedure can be accomplished ~ery quickly and in many cases by the person in the chair ........... if he has some degree of dexterity in his lim~s. In most cases, however, an attendant, such as the bus driver, can set up a wheelchair to be held in stationary position . with a minimum of difficulty.
The wheelchair clamping and retaining apparatus . includes a stationary rail affixed to and extending .- 20 horizontally at a location spaced above the floor, : ~
. approximately half the height of the large main wheels :~:
.- of the wheelchair. This bar provides a mounting for the clamping devices and also accommodates the wheels o the . wheelchair to bear against it. The clamping devices are `' 25 disposed at each side of the wheelchair and are slidably adjusted along the rail so as to be in close proximity with the outer sides o the wheelchair wheels. The clamping ~.
devices normally extend forwardly along the wheelchair frame and clamp to a forward upright portion of the wheelchair frame.
The clamping device is adjustable in length and has a linkage to.move the clamping jaw rearwardly against the wheelchair frame and pull the frame and wheels tightly against the stationary rail.
.. In many instances the retaining apparatus is ~ 35 mounted against the wall of the bus, and to accommodate : ' . . . ~ , ~

o 1 such usage, the clamping devices may swing upwarclly and out of the way when not in use.
The present inven-tion also contemplates mounting the stationary rail at a central location in an open bus ~ody or van-type vehicle. The present invention facilitates mounting the stationar~y bar to anchoring tracks in the Eloor of the bus body. Provision is made `~ for readily and easily moving the stationary bar from the floor mounted tracks so that the open center space . ...
of the bus body or van may be used :Eor many purposes, not the leas~ of which is maneuvering other wheelchairs in the bus body and subsequently locating additional wheelchairs and anchoring them in a central location in the bus body.
lS Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the present invention clamping a wheelchair in fixed position.
Figure 2 is an elevation view of the clamping device and wheelchair fixed in position.
; 20 Figure 3 is an enlarged detail top plan view of the clamping jaw of the retaining device.
` Figure 4 is an enlarged elevation view of the jaw ~, mechanism illustrated in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a detail top plah view, similar to Figure 3, but illustrating a shifted position of the mechanism.
Figure 6 is an elevation view of the mechanism of Figure 4, but illustrating a shifted position of the mechanism.
Figure 7 is an enlarged detail elevation view of a part of the clamping apparatus and partly broken away for clarity of detail.
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail section view taken at approximately 8-8 in Flqure 7 .

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1 Fiyure 9 is an enlarged detail section view, similar to Figure 8, but showing a shifted position of the mechanism.
Figure 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of a van-type bus with the top broken away to show a possib~e arrangement of wheelchairs aEfixed therein.
Figure 11 is a perspective view oP an anchor rail removably affixed to the Eloor of the bus body.
Figure 12 is a detail section VJeW taken at .
approximately 12-12 in Figure 11.
F'igure 13 is an enlarged detail section view taken at approxima-tely 13-13 in Figures 11 and 12.
Figure 14 is a detail section view taken approxi-. mately at 14-14 in Figures 11 and 15.
Figure 15 is a detail section view taken approxi-mately at 15-15 in Figures 12 and 14.
Figure 16 is an elevation view of a modified form of telescoping lock in tne arms.
Figure 17 is a detail section view taken approxi-mately at 17-17 in Figure 16.
Detailed Description of the Invention ..
The wheelchair retaining device is illustrated in the drawings and described herein and is indicated in general in Figure 1 by the~numeral 10. The wheelchair retaining device lncludes a pair~of arms, indicated in general by numérals 11 and 12 to extend horizontally on opposite sides of a wheelchair W and to extend substantially horizontally from front to back of the wheelchair. The arms are mounted on a stationary rail 13 affixed as by suitable fittings 14 to a stationary frame part F of a passenger type vehicle. The frame part may be one and the same as the wall of the vehlcle, or may be other type of frame structure such as channels, beams, etc.

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, :' o 1 The arms 11 and 12 have clamping jaws 15 and 16 on their front ends eo embrace the tubular frame T of the wheelchair W.
It wil:L be seen that the forward ends of arms 11 ; 5 and 12 are bent obliquely inwardly with respect to each other adjacent their Eront ends 50 that the arms may lie alongside the rubber tired wheels of the wheelchair while the clamping jaws 15 are disposed well inwardly to embrace the frame structure T of the wheelchair. The arms 11 and 12 are articulated to permit outward movement of the clamping jaws 15 and 16 by swinging or tllting into the dotted line position P illustra-ted in Figure 1 so that the arms will not interfere with the wheelchair as the ; chair is removed in a forward direction from that illustrated in the drawing. This swinging or tilting of the jaws 15 ~, and 16 is also important for proper detachment of these jaws from the frame because oftentimes close ~uarters are encountered relative to other wheelchairs and clamping devices 10 in a passenger type bus or vehicle.
The two arms 11 and 12 are substantially identical to each other so that an understanding of one of the arms will suffice for an understanding of both. As illustrated, each of the arms is arranged to be extensible and retractable, and, accordingly, has a substantially square tubular ' 25 sleeve 17 and a slightly smaller rod type insert 18 telescopically inserted into the sleeve 17. The rod insert 18 is bent at 19 so as to orient the front portion 20 thereof in an inwardly and oblique arrangement. The rod type insert 18 is rotatable in the sleeve 17 to provlde the necessary articulation to move the jaw on the front end of the arm outwardly away from the wheelchair to the position P
~ illustrated in Figure 1~ ~
; Locking apparatus is provided in each of the arms to permit and prevent extension and retraction of the arm.
As illustrated in Figures 7 - 9, the sleeve 17 is provided ,' ~ . :~

3L~8~40 1 with an enlarged sl.eeve housing 17.1 at its forward encl.
The sleeve housillg 17.1 has an end plate 17.2 with an oblong opening 17.3 therein conforming to the oblony transverse shape of rod 18 and slidab].y receiving the rod therein. The end plate 17.2 defl.nes rod locki.ng keys 17.4 adjacent the upper and lower edges of the opening 17.3. Keys 17.4 are inte~ral o~ plate 17.2, but could ta]~e the form of pins, as well, traversing the end of tube 30.
The rod 18 of extruded alum.inum has a number of notches 21 formed in the upper and lower sides thereof to define a reduced core 22 along a length thereof which is circular in cross section, and of such a diameter as ` to readily pass through the opening 17.3 and between the keys 17.4 in the sleeve housing. The rod insert 18 has ` opposite flat sides 23 which are spaced apart a distance `i! substantially identical to the diameter of the core 22 so as to readily pass between the ]seys 17.4. The rod insert :~ 18 also has a plurality of regularly spaced lugs 24 projecting transversely outwardly from the core 22 to confront and engage the keys 17.4 of the end plate 17.2 ~`
when the rod insert 18 is rotated about an axis extending -~ longitudinally of the sleeve 17 through 90 degrees or -I approximately one-fourth of a re~olution.
.~ 25 Accordingly, it will be seen that when the rod `~ insert 18 is rotated to the position illustrated in ` Figure 8, which is the same identical position as the rod insert illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 wherein the clamping ~aw embraces the frame of the wheelchair, the lugs 24 will engage the end plate 17.1 and no further - changes in the length of the arm can occur. After the ; clamping jaw is released from the wheelchair frame, the front portion 20 of the rod insert can be swung downwardly to the dotted position P illustrated in Figure 1, or upwardly, to remove the clamping jaw from the vicinity t , ~

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1 oE the wheelchalr Erame and to also orient the rod insert 18 -to the position illustrated in Figure 9 to permit sliding of the rod insert 18 relati.ve to the sleeve 17.
At the rear end of the arms 11 and 12 each of the sleeves 17 has a mounting ear 26 welded thereto and confronting a mounting ear 27 which is welded to a C-shaped slide 28 embracing the rectangularly shaped ~ ` rail 13. The slide 28 fits snugly to the shape oE the -~ 10 rail, but moves f~eely therealong. A pivot bolt 29 B extends through ~ apertures in the ears 26 and 27 to provide a hinged connection between the sleeve 17 and the slide 28 to accommodate upward swinging of the ` sleeve 17 so that the entire arm can be swung to an 15 upright out of the way position indicated by the letter S
I in Figure 2. It will be noted that the rail 13 has open and unobstructed ends and the ~lides 28 may be entirely ; removed from the rail 13 by simply sliding them off the end.
As illustrated in Figures 3 - 6, the forward end 20 of the rod 18 has the same characteristic oblong ~- transverse shape.
The clamping jaws~ 15 and;16 have tubular~mounting portions 30, substantially square in cross section and ` 25 preferably formed of box channel~and slidably mounted on the front end 20. The clamping jaws are thereby mounted ~ ~
` for fore and aft movement along the arms. `~-, - :
~ It will be noted`that each of the clamping jaws 15 -~ and 15 is substantially hook~shaped, and is arcuately shaped`about an upright~axis so that the jaw lies ` substantially horizontal and embraces an upright part of - the wheelchair frame T. ~ A swinging linkage, indicated in general by numeral 31r is~provided for controlling the - ~
fore and aft sliding movement of the tubular mounting 30 ~ -35 and for locking the tubular mounting and clamping jaw in ~

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1 retracted position. The linkage 31 includes a pair of hook shaped links 32 pivoted on a pair of upstanding ears 33 affixed as by welding to tile rod 18. The forward ends of links 32 are pivoted to the handle 34 at pin 35.
Handle 34 is mounted on pin 36 in upstanding ears 37 which are affixed as by welding to the sleeve or box channel 30.
As the handle 34 is SWUnCJ to -the position of ` Figure 6, the mounting 30 and the clamping jaw 15 are moved rearwardly along the arm and bear very firmly against the wheelchair. As this clamping of the chair occurs, the pi~ot point defined by pin 35 swings clockwise about the pin 36 to an over-center position as illustrated in Figure 6 so that the pressure exerted by the wheelchair ^ against the clamping jaw ~ends to hold the rod 32 and the linkage arm 35 downwardly so that the clamping jaw is - effectively locked in retracted position. ~-Figure 10 illustrates a possible arrangement of arranging a number of wheelchairs in clamped position in , a small open bus or van type~vehicle which is indicated - 20 in general by numeral 40.~ The vehicle has a driver's compartment 40.1 with access doors 40.2, and rear access door 40.3 for the open van compartment 40.4. Rails 13 as -~
f illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 are shown to be affixed to ;~ upright walls or bulkheads F which incorporate suitable ~-frame structure as to render the mounting of the rails 13 s~ to be solid. Accordingly, the retaining arms 11 and 12 may be suitably mounted on the several rails 13 to affix wheelchairs in a number of parking locations indicated by -, the letter L and illustrated in dotted line.
Affixing of additional wheelchairs in positions indicated by dotted lines and numerals M, approximately in the center of the compartment 40 of the vehicle, may -~ be provided for by tracks 41 which are affixed to and ~ embedded in the floor of the compartment 40.4 in order ~
;~ 35 to lie flush with the floor 42. The tracks 41 are generally ,:. .
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',' ' ' ' 1~ 0 1 similar to the type that are otentimes used i~ the ~loor structures of aircraft which may be alternately employed for mounting passenger sea~s or tyiny down cargo. The tracks 41, as illustrated, are channel shaped and have , ' inturned flanges 43, the upper surfaces of w~lich lie substantially flush with the adjacent floor surEace 42.
The flanges 43 have regularly spaced recesses 43.1 therein, -~ circularly arcuate in shape to receive the circular heads 44 :~ '"' of attachment lugs 45, the reduced circular narrow necks 46 .
thereof are of such a diame~er as to pass between the edges of the trac]c :Elanges 43. The upper ends of the mounting., lugs 45 are affixed into the bottom of upright bases or pedestals 47 to which rigid rails 13.1 are affixed for mounting the wheelchair retaining arms 11 and 12. In the lS position of the lugs 45 illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, the larger circular heads 44 thereof bear upwardly against the track flanges 43 to,solidly retain the pedestals 47 in fixed position relative to the floor 42. In order to ,:~
prevent the pedestals 47 from shifting longitudinally of . 20 the tracks, a retractable sleeve or cylinder 48 is mounted .:
~ in the bottom wall 47.1 of the pedestal and extends downwardly :
',', through one of the arcuate recesses 43.1 in the top flange;
~ and accordingly the pedestal 47 is prevented Erom shifting :
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.', along the track and the retaining lugs 45 are maintained in `. 25 the proper'relationship to the track for holding the : pedestals solidly to the floor. A lifting crank 49 extending through slots 50 in opposite sides of the cylinder 48 and . controlled by a rotary handle 51 are provided to raise and "~ '.lower the cylinder 48 as it may be desired to remove or . "'~
~, 30 replace the pedestals and rail 13.1 in the bus. , '' .,~ In Figures 16 and 17, an alternate locking apparatus :'- is illustrated to accomm~d,ate tilting of the front ends of , the arms 11 and 12 while permitting longitudinal extension ".~ and retraction of the arms. The inser-t 18.1 has a transverse :-, '' pin or Lug 24.1 which protrudes to the exterior of =he insert , '~

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1 at one side and extends into one of a plurality of slots ~1.1 of the sleeve portion 17'. The portions 21.2 of the sleeve between the slots acts as a stop against which the pin 24.1 bears to prevent extension and retraction of the arm~
It will be seen -that I have provided a new and improved wheelchair retaining device for a passenger type vehicle so that the device ma~ he readily and easily applied to the vehicle and removecl so that wheelchairs can be positioned in various locations in the body of the vehicle.
The clamping jaws clamp to the upright frame structure at the fron~. of -the wheelchair and pull the wheelchair tightly against the rail to which the mounting arms are attached.
The arms of the structure are adjustable as to length and are adjustable in a sideward direction to accommodate many different sizes of chairs. The clamping jaws may be tilted or swung out of the way and may be swung inwardly toward the wheelchair so that they may be readily and easily applied to and removed from the wheelchair frame.

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Claims (19)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A wheelchair retaining device for use in a passenger carrying vehicle, comprising:
an elongate arm to extend generally horizontally alongside of the wheelchair from back to front, the arm having a rear end with attachment means to be affixed to a rigid part of the vehicle, the arm having a transversely extending front end to traverse the plane of the chair wheel and confront the tire of the wheel;
a releasable clamping jaw on the front end of the arm and facing rearwardly to embrace the frame of the wheelchair; and articulated means in the arm permitting the front end of the arm and the clamping jaw to move in a transverse direction to swing away from the wheelchair frame and out of the way of the wheel of the chair.

2. The wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1 and the arm being extendible and retractable and having locking means to secure the arm in any of a plurality of extended positions and against extension of the arm.

3. The wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1 and the arm being articulated adjacent the rear end thereof to permit the arm to swing upwardly to an out of the way position.

4. The wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1 and the arm having sleeve and insert telescoping portions to effect extension and retraction of the arm, the insert portion having a plurality of regularly spaced and aligned, lugs projecting from one side thereof and defining transversely oriented slots along said one side, an adjacent side of the insert portion being free of such lugs, the sleeve portion having a transverse key at said one side of the insert portion and received in one of said slots to confront a lug and prevent such extension and retraction, one of said sleeve and insert portions being rotatable about an axis extending longitudinally of the arm to separate the key from the slot and permit telescopic movement of the sleeve and insert portions.

5. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1 and the attachment means including a horizontally oriented rail and slide to permit transverse relocating of the arm relative to the wheelchair.

6. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 5 and the arm being extensible and retractable and having quick release locking means to secure the arm against extension..

7. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1 and the articulated means including adjacent telescoping portions of the arm, said telescoping portions being rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending longitudinally of the arm.

8. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1 and the articulated means defining an axis of rotation of said front end, the axis extending longitudinally of the rear end of the arm.

9. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1 and the clamping jaw being slidable longitudinally along the front end of the arm, and means for extending and retracting the clamping jaw and securing the clamping jaw in retracted position.

10. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1 and the attachment means including an upright pedestal having support means for detachable affixation to the floor of such a vehicle and mounting the rear end of the arm spaced well above the support means.

11. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1 and the arm having telescoping portions respectively provided with transversely oriented interfitting slot and key parts, one of which is rotatable relative to the other about an axis extending longitudinally of the arm to effect such interfitting and disengagement to allow telescoping movement of such portions.

12. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1, and the attachment means including, a substantially horizontal rigid rail to be attached to a rigid part of the vehicle; and the arm having means on the rear end thereof and secured to the rail at any, of a plurality of locations along the length of the rail to locate the arm in closely spaced relation to the wheelchair and to accommodate wheelchairs of various sizes.

13. The wheelchair retaining device according to claim 12 and the rail having a pair of support pedestals spaced from each other along the length of the rail, a pair of mounting tracks to be affixed to the vehicle floor beneath each of such said pedestals, each track and a respective pedestal having interfitting and detachable sockets and insert means removably retaining the pedestal in fixed position on the track.

14. The wheelchair retaining device according to claim 12 and said releasable locking means including a swinging linkage having an over-center position to prevent swinging of the linkage and prevent forward movement of the clamping jaws against the resilient pressure generated by the wheelchair tires bearing against the rail.

15. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 1, and also including a second elongate arm extending generally parallel to and in spaced relation with said first mentioned elongate arm and being substantially identical to said first mentioned elongate arm to cooperate therewith in retaining the wheelchair, the second arm extending generally horizontally alongside the wheelchair from front to back and having a rear end with attachment means to be attached to a rigid part of the vehicle and also having a transversely extending front end to traverse the plane of the chair wheel and confront the tire of the wheel, said second elongate arm also having a releasable clamping jaw on the front end of the arm and facing rearwardly to embrace the frame of the wheelchair and also having articulated means in the second arm permitting the front end of the second arm and the clamping jaw thereon to move in a transverse direction to swing away from the wheelchair frame and out of the way of the wheel of the chair.

16. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 15 and the attachment means of said arms including a substantially horizontal rigid rail to be attached to a rigid part of the vehicle, the arms having means on the rear ends thereof and secured to the rail at any of a plurality of locations along the length of the rail to locate the arms in closely spaced relation to the wheelchair and to accommodate wheelchairs of various sizes between the arms.

17. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 16 and each of the arms having sleeve and insert telescoping portions to vary the length thereof, the insert portion being rotatable in the sleeve portion to provide the tilting of the front ends and clamping jaws to clear the chair frame, the sleeve portion having a stationary locking keeper extending transversely of and spaced from the rotation axis, the keeper being in close proximity with the rotatable insert portion, the insert portion having a flat side confronting the keeper and slidable -therealong to accommodate changing the length of the arm, the insert portion also having another side with a plurality of spaced lugs projecting therefrom and defining transverse slots therebetween to receive the locking keeper and prevent extension and retraction of the arm while the obliquely extending forward end of the arm extends generally horizontally inwardly toward the wheelchair frame.

18. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 16 and the arms having hinged connections to the attachment means, the rear ends of the arms bearing endwise against the rail, and the swing axes of the hinged connections being disposed above the arms and extending transversely thereof.

19. A wheelchair retaining device according to claim 16 and said attachment means for each of the arms comprising a slide on the rail and movable therealong.