Wheel chair abstract
A wheel chair ramp and restraining device 10 for positioning a
wheel chair 64 in a vehicle 12 is provided. The wheel chair ramp
and restraining device in accordance with the principles of this
invention includes a ramp 20 having first and second platform members
22 and 24 respectively. The first platform member 22 is pivotably
coupled to an entrance of the vehicle 12 and the second platform
member 24 is pivotably coupled to first platform member. The coupling
arrangement allows the first and second platform members 22 and
24 to be folded and stored in an upright position in the vehicle
12 or extended diagonally out of the vehicle to provide a surface
for moving the wheel chair 64 into and out of the vehicle. The device
also includes a restraining assembly 70 having a mechanism for locking
device 86 for engaging each of the wheels 66 of the wheel chair
64 once the wheel chair is moved into the vehicle. This allows the
wheel chair 64 to be held in a stationary position in the vehicle
12 thus allowing the persons confined therein to be transported
safely.
Wheel chair claims
What is claimed:
1. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device for positioning a
wheel chair in a vehicle including:
a first platform member;
a first coupling means for pivotably coupling the first platform
member in an entrance to the vehicle so that the first platform
member can be moved to a vertical position and so that the first
platform member can be moved to a diagonal position;
a second platform member;
a second coupling means for pivotably coupling the second platform
member to the first platform member so that the second platform
member can be moved to a vertical position when the first platform
member is in a vertical position and so that the second platform
member can be moved to a diagonal position when the 20 first platform
member is in a diagonal position thereby allowing the first and
second platform members to be folded and diagonally extended to
provide a surface to move the wheel chair into the vehicle;
a base support member coupled to a floor of the vehicle;
a first upstanding member coupled to one side of the base support
member;
a second upstanding member coupled to the other side of the base
support member;
a third upstanding member coupled to the one side of the base support
member and perpendicularly coupled to the first upstanding member;
a fourth upstanding member coupled to the other side of the base
support member and perpendicularly coupled to the second upstanding
member;
a first guide member coupled to the base support member and the
third upstanding member;
a second guide member coupled to the base member and the fourth
upstanding member;
a first support member, having an aperture extending therethrough
and an access opening formed in one side thereof, coupled to an
upper portion of the first upstanding member;
a first elongated member aligned in the aperture in the first support
member for slidable and rotatable movement therein;
a first engaging arm perpendicularly coupled to one end of the
first elongated member;
means coupled in the access opening of the first support member
for selectively engaging the elongated member to hold the first
engaging arm against one wheel of the wheel chair thereby locking
the wheel in a predetermined stationary position in the vehicle;
a second support member, having an aperture extending therethrough
and an access opening formed in one side thereof, coupled to an
upper portion of the second upstanding member;
a second elongated member aligned in the aperture in the second
support member for slidable and rotatable movement therein;
a second engaging arm perpendicularly coupled to one end of the
second elongated member;
means coupled in the access opening of the second support member
for selectively engaging the second elongated member to hold the
second engaging arm against the other wheel of the wheel chair thereby
locking the wheel in a predetermined stationary position in the
vehicle.
2. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device as defined in claim
1 wherein the first platform member includes:
a plurality of spaced parallel aligned longitudinally extending
members;
a first laterally extending member coupled to a front end of the
plurality of spaced parallel aligned longitudinally extending members;
a second laterally extending member coupled to the other end of
the plurality of spaced parallel aligned longitudinally extending
members;
a first side rail, having a pair of spaced apertures formed therein,
coupled between the first and second laterally extending members
to one of the outermost longitudinally extending members of the
plurality of spaced aligned parallel aligned longitudinally extending
members;
a second side rail, having a pair of spaced apertures formed therein,
coupled between the first and second laterally extending members
to the other one of the outermost longitudinally extending member
of the plurality of spaced parallel aligned longitudinally extending
members; and
means coupled between each of the longitudinally extending members
to form a surface thereon.
3. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device as defined in claim
2 wherein the first coupling means includes:
a first member for coupling one end of the first laterally extending
member to the entrance of the vehicle;
a second member, having an aperture formed therein, perpendicularly
coupled to the first member and aligned with the first side rail
so that the aperture therein is aligned with one of the pair of
apertures in the first side rail;
a first pivot pin aligned in the apertures in the second member
and the first side rail;
a third member for coupling the other end of the first laterally
extending member to the entrance of the vehicle;
a fourth member, having an aperture formed therein, perpendicularly
coupled to the third member and aligned with the second side rail
so that the aperture therein is aligned with one of the pair of
apertures in the second side rail; and
a second pivot pin aligned in the apertures in the fourth member
and the second rail.
4. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device as defined in claim
3 wherein the second platform member includes:
a plurality of spaced parallel aligned longitudinally extending
members;
a first laterally extending member coupled to a front end of the
plurality of spaced parallel aligned longitudinally extending members;
a second laterally extending member coupled to the other end of
the plurality of spaced parallel aligned longitudinally extending
members;
a first side rail coupled between the first and second laterally
extending members to one of the outermost longitudinally extending
members of the spaced parallel aligned longitudinally extending
members;
a second side rail coupled between the first and second laterally
extending members to the other one of the outermost longitudinally
extending members of the plurality of spaced parallel aligned longitudinally
extending members; and
means coupled between each of the longitudinally extending members
to form a surface thereof.
5. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device as defined in claim
4 wherein the second coupling means includes:
a plurality of spaced aligned support arms coupled to the second
laterally extending member of the first platform member, each one
of the plurality of support arms having an aperture formed therein;
a plurality of pivot arms coupled to the first laterally extending
member of the second platform member, each one of the plurality
of pivot arms having an aperture formed therein, and each one of
the plurality of pivot arms being aligned between an adjacent pair
of the plurality of support arms; and
a plurality of coupling pins, each one of the plurality of coupling
pins aligned in the apertures of one of the plurality of pivot arms
and the adjacent pair of support arms.
6. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device as defined in claim
5 including a third coupling means for locking the first and second
platform members in a vertical position in the vehicle.
7. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device as defined in claim
6 wherein the third coupling means includes:
a first upstanding member coupled to the floor of the vehicle adjacent
one end of the first laterally extending member;
a second upstanding member having an aperture formed therein, perpendicularly
coupled to the first upstanding member and aligned with the first
side rail when the first platform member is in a vertical position
so that the aperture is aligned with the other one of the pair of
apertures in the first side rail;
a first pivot pin alignable in the apertures in the second upstanding
member and the first side rail;
a third upstanding member coupled to the floor of the vehicle adjacent
the other end of the first laterally extending member;
a fourth upstanding member having an aperture formed therein, perpendicularly
coupled to the third upstanding member and aligned with the second
side rail when the first platform member is in a vertical position
so that the aperture is aligned with the other one of the pair of
apertures in the second side rail; and
a second pivot pin alignable in the aperture in the second upstanding
member and the second
8. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device as defined in claim
7 further including a means couplable to a horizontally extending
support member on the wheel chair for lockingly engaging the wheel
chair in a predetermined position.
9. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device as defined in claim
8 wherein the means for lockingly engaging the wheel chair includes:
an arm pivotably coupled to the upstanding support member;
a spring, having one end thereof, coupled to one end of the arm
and the other end thereof coupled to the horizontally extending
support member on the wheel chair; and
a handle coupled to the other end of the arm so that when the handle
is pivoted downwardly, the spring is moved to lock the wheel chair
in place.
10. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device as defined in claim
9 wherein the means for lockingly engaging the wheel chair further
includes means for holding the handle of the arm in a downward position.
11. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device for positioning a
wheel chair in a vehicle including:
a first platform member;
a first coupling means for pivotably coupling the first platform
member in an entrance to the vehicle so that the first platform
member can be moved to a vertical position and so that the first
platform member can be moved to a diagonal 10 position;
a second platform member;
a second coupling means for pivotably coupling the second platform
member to the first platform member so that the second platform
member can be moved to a vertical position when the first platform
member is in a vertical position and so that the second platform
member can be moved to a diagonal position hen the first platform
member is in a diagonal position thereby allowing the first and
second platform members to be folded and diagonally extended to
provide a surface to move the wheel chair into the vehicle;
an upstanding support member coupled to a floor of the vehicle;
an arm pivotably coupled to the upstanding support member;
a spring, having one end thereof, coupled to one end of the arm
and the other end thereof coupled to a horizontally extending support
member on the wheel chair; and
a handle coupled to the other end of the arm so that when the handle
is pivoted downwardly, the spring is moved to lock the wheel chair
in a predetermined stationary position in the vehicle.
12. A wheel chair ramp and restraining device as defined in claim
11 wherein the means for lockingly engaging the wheel chair further
includes means for holding the handle of the arm in a downward position.
Wheel chair description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a vehicle wheel chair ramp and more particularly
a wheel chair ramp and restraining device for transporting wheel
chairs onto vehicles and restraining the chair therein. For many
years wheel chairs have been a necessary tool in transporting disabled
persons. Because of the necessity of the wheel chair as a tool for
transporting disabled persons it is desirable to be able to transport
the wheel chair with the person confined therein in vehicles. Because
of the size of the wheel chair it is common to use vehicles such
as vans to transport the chair and confined person. Consequently,
it is desirable to provide a wheel chair ramp and restraining device
that can be readily mounted to a vehicle thus providing access to
the vehicle and also allowing proper restraint of the chair in the
vehicle.
BACKGROUND ART
There are a number of different arrangements available today for
allowing a wheel chair to be transported in a vehicle.
One such arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,527. In
this arrangement the vehicle door is modified to include a power
operated lift assembly. This arrangement is effective, however because
of the need to modify the door of the vehicle and the power operated
component, this arrangement can be cost prohibitive for some. The
cost of using this arrangement can be increased evenmore because
of the need to also get a restraining device in that this arrangement
does not facilatate restraining the wheel chair once it is put in
the vehicle.
Another arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,548. This
invention relates to an extendable and retractable vehicle ramp
which includes a power activating mechanism. This arrangement can
also be costly and also does not address the issue of restraining
the wheel chair once in the vehicle. Although these devices are
suitable for the purposes they serve it is desirable to have a device
which is inexpensive while facilating both the transporting of the
wheel chair into the vehicle and the restraining of the chair once
within the vehicle.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A wheel chair ramp and restraining device for positioning a wheel
chair in a vehicle is provided. The wheel chair ramp and restraining
device in accordance with the principles of this invention includes
a first and second platform member. The first platform member is
pivotably coupled to an entrance of the vehicle and the second platform
member is pivotably coupled to the first platform member. The coupling
arrangement allows the first and second platform members to be folded
and stored in an upright position in the vehicle or extended diagonally
out of the vehicle to provide a surface for moving the wheel chair
into and out of the vehicle. The device also includes a means for
lockingly engaging each of the wheels of the wheel chair once the
wheel chair is moved into the vehicle. This allows the wheel chair
to be held in a stationary position in the vehicle thus allowing
the persons confined therein to be transported safely.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The details of the invention will be described in connection with
the accompanying drawl in which:
FIG. 1 is a prospective view illustrating a wheel chair ramp and
restraining device in accordance with the principles of the invention.
FIG. 2 is another prospective view of the wheel chair ramp and
restraining device in accordance with the principles of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a prospective view of the wheel chair ramp and restraining
device illustrating the ramp pivoted to a folded position in accordance
with the principles of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the restraining device
of a wheel chair ramp and restraining device in accordance with
the principles of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a wheel chair secured
in place in the restraining device of a wheel chair ramp and restraining
device in accordance with the principles of the invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a wheel chair ramp and restraining
device, generally designated, by the numeral, 10 is provided to
be coupled to a vehicle, generally designated, by the numeral 12.
The wheel chair ramp and restraining device 10 is coupled to the
vehicle 12 in a side entrance 14 thereof on a raised floor board
16.
The wheel chair ramp and restraining device 10 is provided with
a ramp, generally designated by the numeral, 20 having a pair of
platform support members, generally designated, by the numerals,
22 and 24. Each platform support member 22 and 24 includes a plurality
of spaced parallel aligned longitudinally extending members 28 which
are coupled together at each end thereof by laterally extending
members 30. The laterally extending members 30 are provided with
downwardly extending end members 32 (FIG. 2). Side rails 34 are
coupled to the outermost longitudinally extending members 28 and
the laterally extending members 30 of the platform members 22 and
24. The side rails 34 are provided with a plurality of raised members
36 which will keep wheels from rolling off the ramp 20. A metal
grading, generally designated, by the numeral 38 having apertures
40 formed therein is coupled between each of the longitudinally
extending members 28 to form a no skid surface for the ramp 20.
The platform support members 22 and 24 are pivotably coupled to
each other by coupling members, generally designated by the numeral,
42 (FIG. 2). The coupling members 42 are provided with spaced aligned
support arms 44 which are coupled to the platform support member
22.
The coupling members 42 also includes a plurality of pivot arms
46 which are coupled to the platform support member 24. The pivot
arms 46 are alignable between an adjacent pair of support arms 44
and coupled for pivotable movement therebetween by a coupling pin
48 which extends into apertures 50 in the support arms 44 and pivot
arm 46. The apertures 50 in the support arms 44 and pivot arms 46
are slightly larger than the pin 48. This facilatates the pivotal
movement of the platform support member 24. A cover plate, generally
designated by the numeral 52, is pivotably coupled to the front
laterally extending member 30 of the platform support member 22
and the rear laterally extending member of the platform support
member 24 by a pivot member 54.
The front laterally extending member 30 of the platform support
member 22 is coupled to the entrance 16 of the vehicle by spaced
aligned brackets 56 (FIG. 3). The brackets 56 are provided with
perpendicularly coupled members 57 and 58. The member 57 of the
bracket 56 is coupled to the vehicle entrance 16 by bolts 59 and
the member 58 is aligned adjacent the side rails 34. The brackets
56 are pivotably coupled to each side of the platform support member
22 between the laterally extending member 30 and side rail 34 by
a pivot pin 60 which extends through apertures 62 in the member
58 of the bracket 56 and the side rail 34. This permits pivotal
movement of the platform member 22 to a vertical upright position
as illustrated in FIG. 3.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 the wheel chair ramp and restraining
device 10 also includes a restraining assembly, generally designated,
by the numeral 70. The restraining assembly 70 is provided to hold
and secure a wheel chair 64 (FIG. 5) in place in the vehicle 12.
The restraining assembly 70 is provided with a planar base support
member 72 which is coupled to the floor board 16 of the vehicle
12. The restraining assembly 70 also includes a pair of spaced aligned
wheel support members, generally designated by the numeral, 74.
The wheel support members 74 are provided to position wheels 66
of the wheel chair 64 in place in the restraining assembly 70. The
wheel support members 74 are formed with two perpendicularly coupled
upstanding members 76 and 78. A guide member 80 is coupled to the
lowermost portion of each of the upstanding members 78. The wheel
support members 74 are coupled in spaced relationship to each other
by a coupling member 82 which is secured to the base member 72.
A locking device, generally designated, by the numeral, 86 is coupled
to each of the wheel support members 74 at an uppermost portion
of the upstanding member 76. Each locking device 86 is provided
with a rectangularly shaped support member, generally designated
by the numeral, 88 having an aperture 90 formed therethrough. A
locking arm, generally designated by the numeral 92 is mounted for
slidable and rotable movement in the aperture 90 of the member 88
as illustrated by arrows 94 and 96.
The locking arm 92 is provided with an elongated member 98 which
is mounted in the aperture 90 of the member 88 and an engaging arm
or handle 100 which is perpendicularly coupled to the elongated
member. The dimensions of the elongated member 98 are slightly less
than the dimensions of the aperture 90 thereby permitting the elongated
member to be rotated and slide in the body member 88 as desired.
The body member 88 is also provided with an access opening 102 in
one side thereof. The access opening 102 includes a threaded protruding
member 104 which is provided to receive a screw 106. The screw 106
is set in the access opening 102 to selectively engage the elongated
member 98. When the screw 106 engages the elongated member 98 it
locks the locking arm 90 in a desired position. This permits the
locking arm 90 to be locked in engagement with the wheel 66 of the
wheel chair 64 when the wheel chair is placed in the restraining
device 70. (FIG. 5 ).
The restraining assembly 70 is provided with a second locking device,
generally designated, by the numeral, 108. The locking device 108
is provided with an upstanding support member, generally designated
by the numeral, 110 having perpendicularly coupled support members
112 and 114. The locking device 108 includes an arm, generally designated
by the numeral, 116 which is pivotably coupled to the support member
112 by a pin 118. The arm 116 is provided with a handle 120 coupled
to one end thereof. A spring, generally designated by the numeral,
130 having hooks 132 and 134 coupled to opposite ends thereof is
provided. The hook 132 of the spring 130 is coupled to the arm 116
in an aperture 122 formed in the arm. The other hook 134 of the
spring 130 is provided to engage a horizontally extending support
bar 68 on the wheel chair 64. When the hooks 132 and 134 are in
place on the arm 116 and the wheel chair 64 the arm can be pivoted
downwardly to lock the wheel chair in place. The arm 116 can be
held in a downward position by a hook 136 which has portions 138
thereof which engage the spring 130 and other portions 140 which
engages the arm. The locking device 108 can be used in addition
to the locking device 86 or it can be used independently.
The wheel chair ramp and restraining device 10 is also provided
with coupling members, generally designated by the numeral 142 (FIG.
3) which are aligned on each side of the cover plate 52 of the platform
support member 22 and coupled to the floor 16 of the vehicle 12.
Each of the coupling members 142 is provided wich upstanding members
144 and 146 which are perpendicualarly coupled to each other. The
upstanding member 144 is provided with an aperture 148 which is
alignable adjacent an aperture 150 in the side of the platform support
member 22 when it is pivoted to an upright position. A pivot pin
152 is provided to set in the aperture 148 of the upstanding member
144 and the aperture 150 in the the platform support member 22.
The coupling members 142 are provided to couple of the ramp 20 in
a vertical upright folded position in the vehicle 12 when it is
not in use.
The wheel chair ramp and restraining device 10 is provided to allow
a wheel chair 64, which normally transportes a disabled persons
(not shown), to be rolled into the vehicle 12 and restrained therein
to allow the confined person to be safely transported in the vehicle.
When it is desired to put a wheel chair 64 in the vehicle 12 the
ramp 20 is unfolded and extended as illustrated in FIG. 1. The wheel
chair 64 can then be rolled up the ramp 20 and backed into the restraining
assembly 70 so that the wheels 66 engage the wheel support members
74 (FIG. 5). The wheel chair 64 can then be secured in the restraining
assembly 70 by adjusting the locking device 86 adjacent each wheel
66 to engage the wheel and thereby lock the wheels in a stationary
position in the wheel support members 74. This is accomplished by
adjusting the locking arm 90 of each locking device 86 so that the
engaging handle 100 engages inner portions of the tire 66 and holds
it up against the wheel support members 74. The ramp 20 can then
be folded to an upright position and locked in place by the coupling
members 142. The vehicle 12 can then proceed on its journey with
the wheel chair 64 safely locked in place.
The wheel chair can also be secured independent of or in conjunction
with the locking device 86 by utilizing the locking device 108.
In this embodiment once the wheels 66 are aligned in the wheel supports
74 the hook 134 of the spring 130 is placed on the support bar 68
of the wheel chair 64. The arm 116 is then pushed downward and locked
in place by the hook 136. This causes the spring 136 to immobilize
the wheel chair 64 in the vehicle 12. When it is desired to release
the wheel chair 64 the hook 136 is removed so the handle can be
raised thus allowing the spring to be removed from the wheel chair.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined in the following claims. |