GB2277495A

GB2277495A - Restraining wheelchairs in vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2277495A
Application number: GB9403907A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Grant Malcolm Lockhart
Original assignee: Omni Coach Ltd
Current assignee: Omni Coach Ltd
Priority date: 1993-04-28
Filing date: 1994-03-01
Publication date: 1994-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-01
Also published as: GB9403907D0; GB9308788D0; GB2277495B

Abstract

A deployable barrier (13) is provided adjacent a space for the wheelchair, and means (16) to drive said barrier between a deployed position (13) and a retracted position (13A). The driving means is operable from a position remote from said space such as by the driver of the vehicle. The restraining device may thus be deployed and retracted in the absence of an attendant and without the need for the driver of the vehicle to leave his seat The barrier may be used in an omnibus. <IMAGE>

Description

Restraining device.

The present invention relates to vehicles and in particular to passenger vehicles such as buses, coaches and taxis.

It is becoming increasingly important for disabled persons to be able to travel upon buses, for example whilst using a wheelchair. Some passenger vehicles already provide a space in the vehicle suitable for parking a wheelchair whilst a person is still sitting in it. Although wheelchairs can be prevented from rolling out of position by applying the wheelchair's own brakes, there is a risk that the motion of the vehicle could cause the wheelchair and its occupant to tip for example if driven around a sharp corner. In order to prevent the wheelchair from tipping and sliding, a restraining bar may be provided which the driver of the vehicle or a vehicle attendant can deploy manually when the wheelchair has been manoeuvred into the space provided.

However, on public service vehicles, which are often operated by the driver alone, only restraining bars which are provided in a space adjacent to the driver can be deployed and retracted without the driver leaving his seat. It is therefore unacceptable to provide wheelchair spaces with restraining bars on such vehicles in other locations in the vehicle, so the number of wheelchair spaces in any one vehicle must be restricted, usually to one.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair space on a passenger vehicle, remote from the driver, having a restraining bar which may be deployed by the driver from his usual driving position.

According to the invention, a vehicle having a space suitable for parking a wheelchair has a restraining device adjacent to said space which comprises a deployable barrier and means to drive said barrier between a deployed position and a retracted position, said driving means being operable from a position remote from said space. In this way the restraining bar may be deployed and retracted in the absence of an attendant and without the necessity for the driver to leave his seat. The device is also useful for restraining pushchairs, trolleys or other items.

The space for a wheelchair is preferably adjacent to a bulkhead securely fixed to the vehicle chassis. Preferably, the space is arranged so that the bulkhead prevents movement of the wheelchair in response to the deceleration of the vehicle i.e. between the wheelchair and the front of the vehicle. It is most preferred for the wheelchair occupant to travel facing the rear of the vehicle so that the deceleration force tends to push the occupant into the chair rather than out of it.

Preferably the barrier is driven to pivot in an arc between a generally horizontal deployed position and a generally vertical retracted position.

The deployable barrier may take the form of a solid bar but is preferably an enclosed space formed by shaping an elongate material to enclose the shape of the barrier. In this case, the barrier may include a crosspiece. Suitable materials for the barrier are strong enough to restrain a falling wheelchair or other heavy item and may include metals, including plastic coated metals. Preferably the barrier has a tactile surface so that it can be used effectively as a grab-handle for standing passengers when it is retracted.

In a preferred form, the barrier may be secured in its retracted position by means of a locking device. The locking device may be operated mechanically, e.g. by means of a lever, or, more preferably, it is operated electrically, comprising e.g. a microswitch to withdraw a locking bolt to allow the barrier to be deployed when required. In this case the microswitch is preferably operated by depressing a button provided on the barrier. The locking device is preferably operated to secure the barrier automatically when the barrier is placed in its fully retracted position.

The driving means may include pneumatic or hydraulic systems, perhaps by connection to the systems already provided on the vehicle. Preferably, however, the driving means comprises an electric motor, most preferably of the linear actuator type which has the advantage that the barrier may be operated in a slow and controlled manner and that the position of the barrier may be fixed if the motor is stopped when the barrier is in an intermediate position. The driving means are remotely operable, for example by a switch on the driver's control panel. The progress and/or position of the barrier may be monitored either by the driver viewing it directly or in a mirror or by the provision of an indicator in a convenient position.

The barrier may also be provided with a means for detecting an obstruction during its movement between its deployed and retracted positions. Such means may preferably comprise a touch-sensitive edge, for example in the form of a compressible tube having electrical contacts disposed so as to touch each other when the tube is compressed.

A strap or seat belt is advantageously provided to extend between the barrier and a side wall of the vehicle, the strap or belt preferably being automatically wound on a reel when not in use. The reel carrying the belt is preferably adjustably attached to the side-wall of the vehicle whilst the fastening point is adjustably attached to the barrier, but the alternative arrangement may also be convenient. The belt provides additional security for the wheelchair occupant during sudden braking or acceleration of the vehicle, for example. The belt also provides a restraint against the barrier being pulled away from its mounting.

When the space is not occupied by a wheelchair, it may be used for passengers to stand in, or, more preferably, it may be provided with additional seats which can be folded away.

An embodiment of the invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are: Fig.l, a plan view of a bus showing the arrangement of the wheelchair space and restraining bar.

Fig.2, a perspective view of the restraining device.

Figure 1 is a plan of the interior of a bus having two wheelchair spaces 10, 11 provided.

Fold-away seats 12 are arranged within the spaces 10, 11. The forward space 10 has a restraining bar 13 deployed horizontally between the space and the bus gangway. The rearward space 11 is shown with its restraining bar in a vertical, retracted position. The spaces 10, 11 are separated by a bulkhead 14 to which the restraining bar 13 is attached.

In Fig.2, the restraining bar 13, made mainly of metal tubing, is pivotally attached to the bulkhead 14 at 15 to pivot between the horizontal deployed position 13 and a vertical retracted position 13A. The drive means 16 comprise an electrically driven linear actuator, secured to the bulkhead 14.

The edge 17 of the bar incorporates a touch sensitive device to arrest the downward movement of the bar during deployment. A seat belt 18 and fastening point therefor 19 are provided on the side of the bus and the restraining bar respectively.

In use, a wheelchair is parked facing the rear of the bus, i.e. with the back of the wheelchair adjacent to the bulkhead 14.

The vehicle driver operates the motor 16 from his driving position 20 to raise or-lower the bar 13. The wheelchair occupant then fastens the seat belt 18 into the point 19 and is able to press a button 21 operating a bell or buzzer to request the driver to stop the vehicle. An emergency button 22 is provided to enable the restraining arm to be raised in an emergency.

Although the bar adjacent to the forward space 10 may be operated manually by the driver, the invention allows an additional wheelchair to be carried safely or for a single wheelchair space to be located remotely from the driving position.

Claims

1. A vehicle having a space suitable for parking a wheelchair wherein said vehicle has a restraining device adjacent to said space, said device comprising a deployable barrier and means to drive said barrier -between a deployed position and a retracted position, said driving means being operable from a position remote from said space.

2. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said space is adjacent to a bulkhead which is securely fixed to the vehicle chassis.

3. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said bulkhead is located between said space and the front of the vehicle.

4. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said barrier is driven to pivot in an arc between a generally horizontal deployed position and a generally vertical retracted position.

5. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said deployable barrier comprises a solid bar.

6. A vehicle as claimed in any of Claims 14, wherein said deployable barrier comprises a space enclosed by an elongate material formed in the shape of the barrier.

7. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said deployable barrier includes - a crosspiece.

8. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier has a tactile surface.

9. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said barrier is securable in its retracted position by means of a locking device.

10. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said locking device is operated mechanically.

11. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said locking device is operated electrically.

12. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said locking device comprises a micro-switch operated by depressing a button provided on the barrier.

13. A vehicle as claimed in any of Claims 9 -12, wherein said locking device operates to secure the barrier automatically when the barrier is placed in its fully retracted position.

14. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the driving means comprises an electric motor.

15. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said electric motor is a linear actuator.

16. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein an indicator is provided whereby a driver of the vehicle may monitor the progress and/or position of the barrier.

17. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier is provided with a means for detecting an obstruction during its movement between its deployed and retracted positions.

18. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said detecting means comprises a touch-sensitive edge.

19. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said touch-sensitive edge is a compressible tube having electrical contacts disposed so as to touch each other when the tube is compressed.

20. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a strap or seat belt is provided to extend between said barrier and a side wall of the vehicle.

21. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.