Retractor with space saving features

Abstract

A retractor may include various features that reduce the amount of space necessary to secure an object, for example, a wheelchair in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the webbing is designed to come off of the top of the retractor spool, which shifts the webbing take-off point from the spool rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In another embodiment, the retractor is provided with a webbing guide that rotates around at least a portion of the circumference of the retractor spool. The rotatable guide also shifts the take-off point from the webbing guide rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In yet another embodiment, the retractor is provided with both a rotatable webbing guide and webbing that comes off of the top of the spool.

1 . A retractor in a securement system securing a wheelchair, the retractor comprising a spool, a belt, and a wheelchair connector, wherein:
 a proximal end of the belt is connected to and at least partially wound around the spool;   a terminal end of the belt is connected to the wheelchair connector;   the wheelchair connector is releasably connected to the wheelchair; and,   the belt extends from a top half of the spool to the wheelchair connector in a substantially uninterrupted line.   
     
     
         2 . The retractor of  claim 1  further comprising a housing with an opening, the belt extending through the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The retractor of  claim 2 , wherein the opening is a top opening. 
     
     
         4 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the belt extends at an angle in a range of 35° to 55°. 
     
     
         5 . The retractor of  claim 4  further comprising an angle indicator that provides an indication of the angle. 
     
     
         6 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially uninterrupted line is a straight line. 
     
     
         7 . A wheelchair accessible vehicle comprising:
 a vehicle access device for ingress and egress of a wheelchair;   a wheelchair securement area for receiving the wheelchair; and,   a wheelchair securement system comprising at least one retractor for securing the wheelchair during transit, the at least one retractor each including a spool, a belt, and a wheelchair connector;   wherein:
 a proximal end of the belt is connected to and at least partially wound around the spool; 
 a terminal end of the belt is connected to the wheelchair connector; 
 the wheelchair connector is adapted to releasably connect to the wheelchair; and, 
 the belt is configured to extend from a top half of the spool to the wheelchair connector when connected to the wheelchair in a substantially uninterrupted line. 
   
     
     
         8 . The wheelchair accessible vehicle of  claim 7  wherein the retractor further comprises a housing with an opening, the belt extending through the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The wheelchair accessible vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein the opening is a top opening. 
     
     
         10 . The wheelchair accessible vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the belt is configured to extend in the substantially uninterrupted line at an angle in a range of 35° to 55°. 
     
     
         11 . The wheelchair accessible vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the retractor further comprises an angle indicator that provides an indication of the angle. 
     
     
         12 . The wheelchair accessible vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the substantially uninterrupted line is a straight line. 
     
     
         13 . The wheelchair accessible vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one retractor comprises at least two retractors. 
     
     
         14 . A method for securing a wheelchair in a wheelchair accessible vehicle having a vehicle access device for ingress and egress of the wheelchair, a wheelchair securement area for receiving the wheelchair, and at least one retractor for securing the wheelchair in the wheelchair securement area during transit, the at least one retractor each including a belt at least partially wound around a spool and having a wheelchair connector at a terminal end, the method comprising the step of releasably securing the wheelchair connector of a first of the at least one retractor to a portion of the wheelchair whereby the belt extends from a top half of the spool to the wheelchair connector in a substantially uninterrupted line. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the releasably securing step includes selecting the portion of the wheelchair such that the belt extends in the substantially uninterrupted line at an angle in a range of 35° to 55°. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the substantially uninterrupted line is a straight line. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the steps of:
 releasably securing the wheelchair connector of a second of the at least one retractor to a second portion of the wheelchair whereby the belt extends from a top half of the spool to the wheelchair connector in a substantially uninterrupted line; 
 releasably securing the wheelchair connector of a third of the at least one retractor to a third portion of the wheelchair whereby the belt extends from a top half of the spool to the wheelchair connector in a substantially uninterrupted line; and, 
 releasably securing the wheelchair connector of a fourth of the at least one retractor to a fourth portion of the wheelchair whereby the belt extends from a top half of the spool to the wheelchair connector in a substantially uninterrupted line. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of releasably securing the wheelchair connector of a second of the at least one retractor to a second portion of the wheelchair whereby the belt extends from a top half of the spool to the wheelchair connector in a substantially uninterrupted line. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of releasably securing the wheelchair connector of a third of the at least one retractor to a third portion of the wheelchair whereby the belt extends from a top half of the spool to the wheelchair connector in a substantially uninterrupted line. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of releasably securing the wheelchair connector of a fourth of the at least one retractor to a fourth portion of the wheelchair whereby the belt extends from a top half of the spool to the wheelchair connector in a substantially uninterrupted line.