GB2386871A

GB2386871A - Wheelchair anchorage device for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2386871A
Application number: GB0207287A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Der Zwaluw Jeroen Jacobus Van
Original assignee: GOWRINGS MOBILITY Ltd
Current assignee: GOWRINGS MOBILITY Ltd
Priority date: 2002-03-27
Filing date: 2002-03-27
Publication date: 2003-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-27
Also published as: GB0207287D0; GB2386871B

Abstract

A wheelchair anchorage device for a vehicle, provides a rear impact protection structure 10 and comprises an elongate backrest 11 provided on one side with comfort padding and on another side 9 an anchorage site 15. The backrest 11 is provided with a structural extension 12 having a lower end (25, Fig 3) that engages with a vehicle floor and is fixed to a vehicle via the anchorage site 15 and engagement of the lower end of the structural extension to a vehicle floor. Preferably the rear impact protection structure 10 is provided in a motor land vehicle with wheel chair access via a ramp (22, Fig 3) attached to a floor region of the vehicle. When a wheelchair is aboard the vehicle, the ramp may act as a support strut and is engaged with the anchorage site 15 on the backrest. Advantageously the rear impact protection structure 10 is easily fitted and removed from the vehicle and is suitable for use in small vehicles with restricted load areas.

Description

238687 1

A REAR IMPACT PROTECTION STRUCTURE FOR PROTECTING A

WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT

The present invention concerns the field of adaptation of passenger transport

5 for the transit of wheelchairs and their occupants. In particular the present invention relates to a rear impact protection structure for protecting a wheelchair occupant in a motor vehicle.

It is known to adapt motor vehicles, passenger trains and aircraft for 10 wheelchair transport. Conveniently the wheelchair is secured in a passenger area so that the occupant remains seated in his/her wheelchair during transit.

Our earlier UK application GB-A-2319995 discloses the adaptation of a motor vehicle for wheelchair access by lowering of a load area to facilitate ramp access and create more space.

A problem with known wheelchair anchorage methods is that they leave the occupant somewhat exposed during an impact, such as would be caused by an accident or crash. It is known to provide wheelchair support structures in vehicles which locate and securely fasten the wheelchair, as well as providing 20 safety belts for restraining the occupant. However these are substantial, dedicated structures which occupy a large area of the vehicle passenger

accommodation. Consequently they are only suitable for use in vehicles which have a relatively large load area.

There is a need for a structure which protects a wheelchair occupant in a 5 vehicle which is compact and which may be used in vehicles having small load areas.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a rear impact protection structure for protecting a wheelchair occupant in a vehicle 10 having passenger accommodation, comprising: an elongate backrest, a front side of which is provided with comfort padding and a rear side of which is provided with an anchorage site, and wherein a lower end region of the backrest is provided with a structural extension, a lower end of which is to be engaged with a floor and ramp of the vehicle, the backrest to be fixed in the 15 vehicle via the backrest anchorage site and engagement of the extension lower end with the vehicle floor.

The structure does not need to be permanently fixed into the vehicle load area, and has to be removed to allow easy access of the wheelchair, for example via 20 a ramp, and then secured in place in the vehicle once the wheelchair is in . posltlon.

Preferably the lower extension deviates from the plane of the backrest, to project backwards from the backrest, whereby the lower end of the backrest may engage with the vehicle floor at a location behind the plane of the backrest when the backrest is substantially vertically oriented. This provides 5 improved structural rigidity against rearward toppling of the wheelchair during a collision.

The backrest anchorage site may comprise engagement means for releaseably engaging with a free end of a strut which is attached at another end thereof to 10 the vehicle. The releasable engagement means preferably comprises a slot or recess into which the end of the free end strut may be entered.

The structural extension may comprise a generally U-form frame, the lower end of the extension comprising the base of the U. In a preferred embodiment the backrest is provided at an upper front side region thereof with a headrest.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a motor land vehicle with 20 passenger accommodation including provision for the location of a wheelchair and wheelchair occupant, which vehicle is provided with a rear impact

protection structure according to any preceding claim.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, wheelchair access to the vehicle is provided via a ramp attached at one end to a lowered floor region of s the vehicle, and wherein the ramp may be oriented upwardly in the vehicle after use, the free end of which ramp acts as a support strut which is engageable with the anchorage site on the backrest.

Preferably the ramp is attached to the vehicle floor region at hinge means.

Conveniently the lower end region of the structural extension engages with a rear lowered floor region of the vehicle.

Thus in one embodiment the access ramp doubles as a support strut for the 15 backrest, and the structural extension provides a secure position for the base of the backrest. In a particular embodiment the lower end of the extension is constrained in the apex of the angle between the hinged ramp and the vehicle floor. This angle is preferably acute so as to securely constrain the lower end region of the structural extension.

Following is a description, by way of example only and with reference to the

accompanying drawings, of one method of putting the present invention into effect. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front view of a rear impact protection structure for protecting a wheelchair occupant according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the structure.

Figure 3 is a side view of a motor vehicle cut away to show the position of the rear impact protection structure in relation to the vehicle passenger load area and the location of the wheelchair.

15 In Figure 1 a rear impact protection structure is shown generally as 10. The structure comprises a backrest 11 and a structural extension 12 to the lower end region of the backrest. The structural extension is formed from tubular aluminium and has the form of a tapered U or a blunt V. An upper end region of the backrest is formed with a head restraint 13.

Figure 2 is a side view of the same support structure 10. The structural

extension deviates from the plane of the backrest rearwardly from the backrest.

The backrest itself is formed from a metal-framed structure (not shown) provided with comfort padding in the conventional manner of a rigid backrest for a motor vehicle passenger seat. A rear side 9 of the backrest is provided 5 with an anchorage site 15. The anchorage site is in the form of a deep slot 16 which is flared at a free end 17. The structural extension is provided with a strengthening fillet 18 for each arm 19.

Figure 3 shows the position of the wheelchair support structure in a motor 10 vehicle 20. The motor vehicle is a conventional four-seater motorvan which has been adapted for wheelchair access by the provision of a lowered rear load area 21. The rear edge 23 of the load area has pivotally attached thereto a ramp 22. A free end 24 of the ramp 22 is engaged with the slot 16 on the backrest. Preferably the slot and ramp are engaged by a latch (not shown) or 1S some other form of releasable secure engagement. A lower end 25 of the structural extension 12 to the backrest is located at the apex of the rear edge of the lowered floor and hinged ramp. The arrangement is shown in greater detail in the enlarged view of Figure 4. A back end 31 of a wheelchair 30 rests against the front side 33 of the backrest. The backrest 11 and head support 13 20 provide a comfortable location for the wheelchair occupant.

When it is desired to unload the wheelchair 30 the ramp 22 may be disengaged from the slot 16 in the backrest 11 and the support structure removed from the vehicle. The ramp may then be unfolded to allow the wheelchair to be wheeled out of the vehicle. When the vehicle is not carrying a wheelchair the 5 support structure can simply be fitted to the ramp panel as normal. As the support structure is not a permanent fixture to the load area of the vehicle, access of a wheelchair into the vehicle through the rear doorway is not hindered, making the structure particularly suitable for use in small vehicles having restricted load areas.

Claims

1. A rear impact protection structure for protecting a wheel chair occupant in a vehicle having passenger accommodation, comprising: s an elongate backrest, a front side of which is provided with comfort padding and a rear side of which is provided with an anchorage site, and wherein a lower end region of the backrest is provided with a structural extension, a lower end of which is to be engaged with a floor of the vehicle, the backrest to be fixed in the vehicle via the backrest anchorage site and engagement of the 10 extension lower end with the vehicle floor.

2. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lower extension deviates from the plane of the backrest, to project backwards from the backrest, whereby the lower end of the backrest may engage with the vehicle floor at a 15 location behind the plane of the backrest when the backrest is substantially vertically orientated.

3. A structure as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the backrest anchorage site comprises engagement means for releaseably engaging with a 20 free end of a strut which is attached at another end thereof to the vehicle.

4. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein the releasable engagement means comprises a slot, recess or clamp into which the end of the free end strut may be entered.

5 5. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the structural extension comprises a generally U-form frame, the lower end of the extension comprising the base of the U.

6. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the backrest is 10 provided at an upper front side region thereof with a headrest.

7. A motor land vehicle with passenger accommodation including provision for the location of a wheelchair and wheelchair occupant, which vehicle is provided with a rear impact protection structure according to any 15 preceding claim.

8. A motor land vehicle as claimed in claim 7 wherein wheel chair access to the vehicle is provided via a ramp attached at one end to a floor region of the vehicle, and wherein the ramp may be oriented upwardly in the vehicle 20 after use, the free end of which ramp acts as a support strut which is engageable with the anchorage site on the backrest.

9. A motor land vehicle as claimed in claim 8 wherein the ramp is attached to the vehicle floor region at hinge means.

10. A motor vehicle as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9 wherein the lower s end region of the structural extension engages with a rear floor region of the vehicle.

11. A rear impact protection structure for protecting a wheel chair occupant substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.