Barrier with Integrated Wheelchair Restraints

Abstract

The embodiment described and claimed herein are improved barrier-type wheelchair securement systems. In particular, one embodiment of a barrier includes an integral shoulder belt assembly, two integral wheelchair restraint assemblies, and two integral lap belt assemblies. The wheelchair restraint and lap belt assemblies comprise retractors which can be mounted external or internal to the barrier. The integral shoulder belt assembly could be connected to a vertical telescoping member which is movable from a first position, wherein the telescoping member is housed inside of the barrier, to a second position, wherein the shoulder belt assembly is disposed at a proper height for a wheelchair passenger. Alternatively, the shoulder belt assembly could be rigidly mounted to the barrier in a fixed position, or could be adjustable to accommodate passengers of varying size.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A wheelchair securement system for a transit vehicle comprising a first module adapted to be oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the transit vehicle, the first module including as an integral component at least one shoulder restraint assembly configured to secure a wheelchair-seated passenger in cooperation with at least one lap belt, whereby the first module defines a sit-stand area for use by at least one sit-stand passenger when the stowable seat is placed in a use position and collectively define a wheelchair securement area for a wheelchair-seated passenger when the stowable seat is placed in a stowed position. 
     
     
         2 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 1 , wherein the first module is a modesty barrier. 
     
     
         3 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 2 , wherein the first module includes a stowable seat. 
     
     
         4 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one shoulder belt assembly and the at least one lap belt are disposed in a location that render them inoperable to secure the at least one sit-stand passenger. 
     
     
         5 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one shoulder belt assembly and the at least one lap belt are configured to secure a forward-facing wheelchair-seated passenger and the stowable seat is configured to provide a seat for a forward-facing sit-stand passenger. 
     
     
         6 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 5 , wherein the stowable seat is a flip seat that is disposed above the at least one lap belt when placed in the use position. 
     
     
         7 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second module module adapted to be oriented transversely to the first module and positioned adjacent to a wall of the transit vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 7 , wherein the first module and the second module are interconnectable. 
     
     
         9 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one shoulder belt assembly is positionally adjustable to accommodate the wheelchair-seated passenger of varying size. 
     
     
         10 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 9  wherein:
 the first module includes a telescoping member and the at least one shoulder belt assembly includes a shoulder belt; 
 a distal portion of the shoulder belt extends from an upper portion of the telescoping member; and, 
 the telescoping member has a first position, where the telescoping member is substantially housed by the first module, and a second position, wherein the telescoping member is in an extended position, wherein the distal portion of the shoulder belt is disposed approximately above the shoulder of the wheelchair-seated passenger when the telescoping member is in the second position. 
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the telescoping member is biased in the extended position. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the shoulder belt assembly further includes a positioning member for positioning the telescoping member in one of either the extended or retracted position, the positioning member being selected from the group including a spring, a pneumatic cylinder, or an electric motor. 
     
     
         13 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least shoulder belt assembly comprises a shoulder belt retractor and a shoulder belt, whereby the shoulder belt is retractable into the shoulder belt retractor; and, 
 the at least one shoulder belt retractor is disposed at least partially inside of the first module. 
 
     
     
         14 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 13  wherein:
 the first module includes as an integrated component at least one lap belt assembly comprising a lap belt retractor and the at least one lap belt, whereby the at least one lap belt is retractable into the lap belt retractor; and, 
 the at least one lap belt retractor is disposed at least partially inside of the first module. 
 
     
     
         15 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 14  wherein:
 the first module includes as an integrated component at least one wheelchair restraint assembly comprising a wheelchair restraint retractor and a wheelchair restraint strap, whereby the wheelchair restraint strap is retractable into the wheelchair restraint retractor; and, 
 the at least one wheelchair restraint retractor is disposed at least partially inside of the first module. 
 
     
     
         16 . A wheelchair securement system for a transit vehicle comprising a first module adapted to be oriented transversely to a second module, at least one of the first module and the second module including a stowable seat configured for use by at least one sit-stand passenger, and at least one of the first module and the second module including as an integral component at least one shoulder restraint assembly configured to secure a wheelchair-seated passenger in cooperation with at least one lap belt, whereby the first module and the second module collectively define a sit-stand area for use by the at least one sit-stand passenger when the stowable seat is placed in a use position and collectively define a wheelchair securement area for the wheelchair-seated passenger when the stowable seat is placed in a stowed position. 
     
     
         17 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 16 , wherein the first module is a modesty barrier and includes the at least one shoulder restraint assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 17 , wherein the second module includes the stowable seat. 
     
     
         19 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 18 , wherein the first module is configured to be disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the transit vehicle and the second module is configured to be disposed adjacent a wall of the transit vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one shoulder belt assembly and the at least one lap belt are disposed in a location that render them inoperable to secure the at least one sit-stand passenger. 
     
     
         21 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one shoulder belt assembly and the at least one lap belt are configured to secure a forward-facing wheelchair-seated passenger and the stowable seat is configured to provide a seat for a lateral-facing sit-stand passenger. 
     
     
         22 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 20 , wherein the stowable seat is a flip seat that is disposed above the at least one lap belt when placed in the use position. 
     
     
         23 . The wheelchair securement system of  claim 19 , wherein the first module and the second module are interconnectable.