GB2529821A

GB2529821A - Tensioning device

Info

Publication number: GB2529821A
Application number: GB1415497.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rodney John Brotherwood
Original assignee: BROTHERWOOD AUTOMOBILITY Ltd
Current assignee: BROTHERWOOD AUTOMOBILITY Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-02
Filing date: 2014-09-02
Publication date: 2016-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-02
Also published as: GB201415497D0; GB2529821B

Abstract

A tensioning device comprising a base (1), at least one restraint anchor point (2) mounted moveably on the base, and a ramp (3) pivotally attached to the base. The ramp is coupled to the anchor point such that when the ramp is moved vertically, the anchor point moves towards the ramp, tensioning a restraint attached to it. Preferably the anchor points are located on a sliding platform (7) which is connected to a link (8) pivotally connected to the ramp. A wheelchair restraint system comprising the tensioning device and a restraint is also claimed. A vehicle with the wheelchair restraint is claimed. A method of restraining a wheelchair in a vehicle is also claimed. The method comprises deploying a ramp and loading a wheelchair using the ramp, attaching each restraining member to the wheelchair, and stowing the ramp to increase the tension in each restraining member.

Description

TENSIONING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a tensioning device for use in a wheelchair restraint system.

The problem of safely transporting wheelchair-bound passengers seated in thcir wheelchairs is well known. V/hen transporting wheelchairs in motor vehicles it is important to prevent the wheelchair from moving in the event of an accident or for example during hard braking.

The most common way of aehicving this is by attaching the wheelchair to the floor of the vehicle using four webbing straps. A number of manufacturers produce webbing restraint systems for this purpose, in which the four seatbelt type webbing assemblies are attached to the wheelchair, typically by hooks or a seatbelt type buckle and tongue arrangement.

In such a system therefore one end of each of the belts is fitted to each of the four corners of the wheelchair and the other cnd of the belts to strong anchor points built into the floor. Belt lengths are adjusted to suit the wheelchair and the rear belts (at the rear of the vehicle and the wheelchair) are normally fitted with a tensioning device, which prevents the wheekhair from moving around in transit.

There are different tensioning designs on the market; typically, a tensioning device will be included in the rear tie-down straps to prevent the wheelchair from moving about during normal driving. However a problem with current tensioning devices for wheelchair restraints is that these can be difficult to tension sufficiently to prevent wheelchair movement, particularly when being operated by elderly people who often do not have the strength required.

In a first aspect of the invention. we provide a tensioning device for use in a wheelchair restraint system comprising at least one restraining member, the device comprising: * abase * at least one anchor point for a restraining member, the anchor point being mounted on the base for movement relative thereto; and * a ramp pivotally attached to the base; in which the ramp is coupled to the anchor point such that pivotal movement of the ramp relative to the base causes movement of the anchor point relative to the base.

Thus, the movement of the ramp, which is commonly provided to enable a wheelchair to be rolled into a vehicle, can be used in order to tension the restraining members, Typically, movement of the anchor point relative to the base in a first sense -usually that tending to stow the ramp -tends to tension the restraining members of each anchor point. Likewise, movement of tile anchor point in a second sense opposite to the first sense -usually to deploy the ramp -will reduce the tension in the restraining inc in be r s.

Preferably, each anchor point is mounted for sliding movement relative to the base, and pivotal movement of the ramp relative to the base causes sliding movement of the anchor point relative to the base. Thus, the rotational movement of the ramp is converted into linear movement of each anchor point.

As such, there may be provided an anchorage platform on which is provided each anchor point, the anchorage platform being mounted for sliding movement on the base, and a link having a first end mounted on the ramp. but which can rotate relative thereto, and a second end mounted on the anchorage platform, but which can rotate relative thereto. Thus, the link (which may comprise a rod or strut) couples the ramp to each anchor point.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a wheelchair restraint system for a vehicle comprising the tensioning device the first aspect of the invention and at least one restraining member coupled to each anchor point.

There may be at least one additional restraining member arranged to be fixed to the vehicle not through each anchor point. Typically, the additional restraining members would be provided at one end, say the front end, of the wheelchair, and the restraining members at another end, say the rear end. There may be two of each of the restraining members and the additional restraining members, Each restraining member and each additional restraining member may comprise a strap, such as a webbing strap.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising S the whe&chair restraint system of the second aspect of the invention.

Typically, the ramp can be deployed and stowed by pivoting the ramp relative to the base, pivoting the ramp in a first sense acting to stow the ramp and in a second opposite direction tending to dep'oy the ramp. The ramp, when deployed. may extend through an openable door of the vehicle, such as a tailgate.

The action of deploying the ramp may act to reduce the tension in each restraining member, with the action of stowing the ramp typicafly tending to increase the tension in each restraining member.

A wheelchair may be included in the vehicle, with each restraining member (and any additiona' restraining member) being attached to the wheelchair.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of tensioning at least one restraining member of a wheelchair restraint system in a vehicle, the vehicle being in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, the method comprising: * deploying the ramp; * loading the wheelchair onto the vehicle through the ramp; * attaching each restraining member to the wheelchair; and * stowing the ramp so as to increase the tension in each restraining member.

There now follows, by way of example only, description of embodiments of the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a tensioning device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in a deployed position; Figure 2 is a side view of the tensioning device of claim 1, in a stowed position; and Figure 3 is a side view of a vehide fitted with a wheelchair restraint system using the tensioning device of Figure 1, S The Figures show a tensioning device used, in Figure 3. as part of a wheelchair restraint system in a vehicle. The tensioning device comprises a base 1, which supports a sliding platform 7. The sliding platform 7 supports a pair of anchor points 2. As will be explained below these anchor points 2 provide attachment points for restraint members in the form of webbing straps.

Also supported on the base 1 is a ramp 3, The ramp 3 is pivotally mounted on the base 1. It is connected to the anchorage platform through a link 8. This link 8 is pivotafly connected a first end to the ramp 3 and at a second end to the sliding platform 7. Thus, when the ramp 3 is pivoted about the base 1, it will drive the sliding platform 7 and hence the anchor points 2 for sliding movement relative to the base 1.

The effect of this can be seen in Figure 3. which shows the tensioning device used in a wheelchair restraint system in a vehicle 10, the vehicle having a lowered floor 15, The ramp 3 has been deployed through the rear tailgate 12 of the vehicle and a wheelchair I I has been rofled into the passenger space inside the vehicle 10, The wheelchair restraint system includes the tensioning device discussed above and a set of webbing straps. A first set of straps 13 are attached to the front of the wheelchair and are attached solidly to the interior of the vehicle, However, the second. rearmost set of straps 14 connect the anchor points 2 to the wheelchair 11, Thus, when the ramp 3 is stowed, by pushing it upwards and rotating it clockwise in the view of Figure 3, the anchor points wifl move backwards in rdation to the whedchair 14 and so wifl tension the reannost webbing straps 14. Thus, the motion of the ramp 3 is used to provide an extra tension on the webbing straps 14 and further secure the wheelchair in addition to any tension that the operator is able to provide them sdves.

Similarly, at the end of a journey, deploying thc ramp will pivot the ramp 3 about the base 1 in the opposite direction (anti-clockwise in Figure 3), reducing the tension in the straps and allowing the operator to easily release the wheelchair 11

Claims

CLAIMS1 A tensioning device for use in a wheelchair restraint system comprising at least one restraining member, the device comprising: * abase * at least one anchor point for a restraining member, the anchor point being mounted on the base for movement relative thereto; and * a ramp pivotally attached to the base; in which the ramp is coupled to the anchor point such that pivotal movement of the ramp relative to the base causes movement of the anchor point relative to the base.
2. The tensioning device of claim 1, in which the movement of the anchor point relative to the base in a first sense tends to tension the restraining member of each anchor point. I5
3, The tensioning device of claim 1 or claim 2, in which each anchor point is mounted for sliding movement relative to the base, and pivotal movement of the ramp relative to the base causes sliding movement of the anchor point relative to the base.
4, The tensioning device of claim 3. further comprising: * an anchorage platform on which is provided each anchor point, the anchorage platform being mounted for sliding movement on the base, * a link having a first end mounted on the ramp, but which can rotate relative thereto, and a second end mounted on the anchorage platform, but which can rotate relative thereto.
5, A wheekhair restraint system for a vehide comprising the tensioning device of claim 1 and at least one restraining member coupled to each anchor point.
6. The wheelchair restraint system of claim 5, further comprising at least one additional restraining member arranged to be fixed to the vehicle not through each anchor point.
7. A vehicle comprising the whedchair restraint system of claim 5 or claim 6.
8. The vehicle of claim 7. in which the ramp can be deployed and stowed by pivoting the ramp relative to the base, pivoting the ramp in a first sense acting to stow the ramp and in a second opposite direction tending to deploy the ramp.

9, The vehicle of claim 8, in which the action of deploying the ramp acts to reduce the tension in each restraining member and the action of stowing the ramp tends to increase the tension in each restraining member.

10, The vehicle of any of claims 7 to 9, including a wheelchair in the vehicle in which each restraining member is attached to the wheelchair, 11. A method of tensioning at least one restraining member of a wheelchair restraint system in a vehicle, the vehicle being in accordance with claim 8 or 9, the method comprising: * deploying the ramp; * loading the wheelchair onto the vehicle through the ramp; * attaching each restraining member to the wheelchair; and * stowing the ramp so as to increase the tension in each restraining member.12, A tensioning device, wheelchair restraint system or vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.