Automatic wheelchair restraining device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mechanism for moving a vehicular wheelchair restraining device back and forth between a remote, stowed position and a deployed position from which it may lockingly engage a wheelchair to prevent it from freely moving around the vehicle. The mechanism includes a shallow platform having ramped sides over which a wheelchair may easily roll, and a motor and drive train for moving the wheelchair restraining mechanism between its remote position and its deployed position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A wheelchair lockdown device, comprising: 
 an elongated member having a proximal end, a distal end, a substantially flat top portion, a bottom portion and tapered elongated sides extending from the bottom portion to the top portion;    a motor connected to said elongated member and having a rotatable drive member;    a pulley mounted to said bottom portion of said elongated member substantially near said distal end and substantially covered by said top portion;    a slotted guide track formed in said elongated member;    a lockdown apparatus slideably mounted in said slotted guide track and adapted to releasably engage a wheelchair; and    a flexible drive connector extending from said lockdown apparatus around said pulley and around said rotatable drive member and back to said lockdown apparatus;    wherein said flexible drive connector tractionally engages said rotatable drive member; and    wherein rotation of said rotatable drive member causes movement of said flexible connector and actuates sliding of said lockdown apparatus in said slotted guide track.    
     
     
         2 . The device of    claim 1   , further comprising: 
 an ear coupled to said lockdown apparatus;    a post connected to said elongated member;    wherein said ear is adapted to engage said post to prevent further motion of said lockdown apparatus.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of    claim 2    wherein said post is adapted to be placed in one of a plurality of discrete positions on said elongated member.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for securing a wheelchair in a motor vehicle, comprising, in combination: 
 a raised platform having a top portion, a bottom portion mounted to the floor of the motor vehicle, ramped side portions extending from said bottom portion to said top portion, a proximal end and a distal end;    a pulley positioned substantially at said proximal end between said top portion and said bottom portion;    a guide track formed in said top portion and linearly extending substantially from said distal end to said proximal end;    a motor coupled to said platform and having a rotatable drive member;    a lockdown apparatus having a guide track-engaging portion operationally coupled to said guide track and adapted to move in said guide track;    a drive train having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is connected to said lockdown apparatus;    wherein said drive train extends from said lockdown apparatus to said motor and engages said rotatable drive member and extends around said pulley and back to said lockdown apparatus; and    wherein said second end is connected to said lockdown apparatus.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of    claim 4    further comprising: 
 an engaging member coupled to said lockdown apparatus;  
 a post connected to said platform;  
 wherein said engaging member is adapted to engage said post to stop the motion of said lockdown apparatus.  
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of    claim 5    further comprising a plurality of discrete apertures formed in said platform and wherein said post is adapted to be placed in one of said plurality of discrete apertures formed in said platform.  
     
     
         7 . A wheelchair lockdown device, comprising: 
 a platform having a proximal end and a distal end;    a guide track formed in said platform and substantially extending from said proximal end to said distal end;    a lockdown apparatus slideably mounted in said guide track and adapted to releasably engage a wheelchair; and    a motor operationally coupled to said platform and to said lockdown apparatus;    wherein said motor is adapted to move said lockdown apparatus in said guide track.    
     
     
         8 . The wheelchair lockdown device of    claim 7   , wherein said platform further comprises a top portion and a bottom portion and oppositely disposed tapered elongated sides extending from said bottom portion to said top portion.  
     
     
         9 . A method for securing a wheelchair to a vehicle, comprising: 
 providing an engaging member extending downwardly from the wheelchair;    positioning the wheelchair above a portion of the platform with the engaging member extending downwardly from the wheelchair for engagement;    moving a wheelchair restraining apparatus along said platform from a stowed position to a wheelchar engaging position; and    coupling the wheelchair to the wheelchair restraining apparatus via the engaging member.    
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 9    further comprising: 
 decoupling the wheelchair engaging member from the wheelchair restraining apparatus; and  
 moving the wheelchair restraining apparatus to the stowed position.