PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/847,260, filed Sep. 26, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an apparatus for securing an object, such as a wheelchair, to the interior of a vehicle. More particularly, the invention includes a compact and self-contained assembly comprising a plurality of belt retractors operated by a single control. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Accommodation of mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, in public transit vehicles is now commonplace. For the convenience of all of the passengers, methods and equipment have been developed for quickly and easily securing wheelchairs in mass transit vehicles. However, a recognized problem in accommodating such mobility aids in buses, train cars, and the like, is the need for reliably securing the mobility aid to prevent its unwanted movement while the vehicle is in motion. 
         [0004]    It is desirable in mass transit vehicles to have mobility aid securement systems which are versatile, i.e., that may be positioned so as not to interfere with the use of the vehicle by ambulatory passengers. Preferably, wheelchair restraint systems should be readily stowable so as not to present any obstacle, intrusion or tripping hazard when the restraint systems are not in use. It is also desirable that such systems be readily convertible so that they may be integrated with conventional seating systems in such a way that conventional seating systems may still be used when the wheelchair restraint systems are not needed. It is also desirable to have the restraint systems physically retracted or stowed so as not to present any undue hazard to other passengers when the wheelchair restraint system is not in use. 
         [0005]    At the same time, a wheelchair restraint system should be readily accessible to the wheelchair-using passenger, and operable by the vehicle operator, or by the passenger without the need for the assistance of the vehicle driver or any other party. Further, a wheelchair restraint system should be convenient for use, preferably allowing one-handed operation. Preferably, during the positioning and securement of a wheelchair in the vehicle, various elements of the restraint system should be readily manipulatible without the requirements for complex movements, such as the activation of a release with one hand and the activation of a portion of the restraint with the other. 
         [0006]    To accomplish these goals, a number of prior art devices have been suggested and, in some cases, developed. 
         [0007]    One such class of systems is disclosed by Gresham in U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,403. The system therein disclosed utilizes a plurality of floor-mounted tracks to which are releasably attached one or more seat belts and one or more ratcheting spool assemblies. While this type of system provides some measure of safety to the wheelchair occupant, these systems are difficult to use for a number of reasons. First, the belt assemblies are separate and must be retrieved and appropriately located in and secured to the track and to the wheelchair, and they must be manually tensioned by operation of a ratchet handle or crank. 
         [0008]    A more desirable system is disclosed by Kiernan, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,564, in which a plurality of belt retractor assemblies are permanently secured to the four corners of a wheelchair station, eliminating the requirement for retrieval and mounting of portions of the restraint system. However, each belt assembly is separate and separately operable, requiring the assistance of an operator. Similar limitations are found in the operation of systems such as that taught by Kraft in U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,254 and Ditch, U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,038. 
         [0009]    A somewhat better approach is disclosed by Magnuson, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,039, which discloses the use of a pair of retractor assemblies which can be controlled by a common actuator. However, this invention suffers from one of the limitations of the previously described prior art, in that it uses separate exposed retractor bodies which can easily snag or catch other passengers in the vehicle. Further, Magnuson, et al. relies upon a complicated system of cables for interconnecting the remote actuator to the retractors, which is expensive, complicated to install and maintain, and unreliable after repeated use. 
         [0010]    All of the prior art systems, however, are limited in that they require the simultaneous activation of a control, usually to release a belt retractor, coupled with movement of the belt to a securing position on a wheelchair. Once the belt has been secured to the wheelchair, the release mechanism may need to again be activated to effect locking. In Magnuson, for example, a release lever is operated with one hand, while the operator extends belts from the retractor with the other hand. Then, once the belts are attached to the wheelchair, the operator releases a lock allowing the belts to retract. 
         [0011]    The present system, however, contemplates a timed release mechanism which allows the spools of the retractor mechanism to be freely extended and retracted for a predetermined time interval after actuation of a mechanical or electromechanical control. This system allows for single-handed operation, thereby greatly simplifying the securement and removal of the restraint system from a wheelchair. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided for securing a wheelchair from movement within a wheelchair space or station in a mass transit vehicle. One or more retractor spools are located in a common housing, with the spools, their associated flexible webbed belts, and their actuator mechanisms contained within the same housing. The housing is designed so that only hooks and a small portion of the end of the flexible belts protrude from the housing. The housing presents an essentially flush or flat surface on its exposed exterior, thereby permitting the housing to be secured within or to a vehicle bulkhead, or under a foldable vehicle seat while presenting little or no obstacle to other passengers using the vehicle when the retractor system is not in use. 
         [0013]    The plurality of retractor spools contained within the housing are physically aligned to permit a common mechanical or electromechanical release mechanism to directly engage the retractor mechanism to provide a simple, inexpensive and reliable means for locking and unlocking the retractor mechanism, thereby allowing the wheelchair-engaging belts to be easily positioned and locked to secure the wheelchair from movement within a typical mass transit vehicle. 
         [0014]    At the same time, the system includes a single or multiple point wheelchair securement system for the front of the wheelchair, which is placed in the outboard section of the wheelchair station within the vehicle. 
         [0015]    The apparatus herein described, by virtue of its compact configuration, is also easily mountable underneath a foldable seat assembly, allowing the apparatus to be placed out of the way when not in use and allowing the wheelchair station to be utilized for ambulatory passengers, as needed. Further, the controls for the apparatus are central, allowing the device to be easily operated by the vehicle operator or by the occupant of a wheelchair without assistance from the vehicle operator or other passengers. The system may be provided with a positive locking actuator which provides visual indicia of the locked position of the retractors within the assembly. Moreover, the actuator may be provided with an electrically operated actuator. In either case, the apparatus may also be provided with a time-delay circuit or mechanism, which will allow easy manipulation of the belts within the retractor assembly for a limited period of time, following which the retractors will revert to the locked position without further action on the part of the operator of the vehicle or occupant of the wheelchair. Additionally, the system may be equipped with a remote annunciator which alerts the user as well as the driver of the vehicle when the retractors within the assembly are in the unlocked (and hence, unsafe) position. 
         [0016]    In use, the occupant of the wheelchair moves the wheelchair into a position in the wheelchair station. It may be necessary, prior to this maneuver, for one or more foldable seats of the vehicle to be moved into the folded position to allow full access to the wheelchair station. The vehicle operator, or, in some cases, the wheelchair occupant, then attaches the front restraint to a forward portion on the frame of the wheelchair, and then either tensions the front restraint or moves the wheelchair backward to tension the connection between the front restraint and the wheelchair. The operator or occupant then operates the release lever or the release switch on the rear retractor module, thereby initiating a timed interval during which the retractor assemblies within the retractor module are conditioned to permit free rotation of the retractor spools and extraction of the belts, thereby allowing hooks on the ends of the retractor belts to be attached to selected portions of the frame of the wheelchair. The retractor assemblies are biased to urge the belts to fully retract into the module when tension on them is released. As the timed interval ends, a lock assembly is simultaneously engaged within the retractor module for both retractor assemblies, thereby locking the retractor assemblies and preventing movement of the wheelchair in relation to the vehicle until such time as the release mechanism is again activated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention oriented within its intended environment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention oriented within its intended environment in use with a typical wheelchair. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the retractor module. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the retractor module. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the interior of the retractor module, showing the major components thereof, in the release mode. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the retractor module in the release mode. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  is a front elevational view of the retractor module in the release mode. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the retractor module and its major components shown in the locked mode. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  is a front elevational view of the retractor module shown with the control lever in the locked mode. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of a portion of the retractor module shown in the locked mode. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the retractor module installed underneath a foldable seat. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the retractor module of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of the interior of the module showing an electromechanical solenoid and a diagrammatic view of associated delay circuitry. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]    With reference first to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the overall environment in which the invention is utilized will be best appreciated. In a typical vehicle  14 , the apparatus  10  is utilized to secure a wheelchair  12  within a pre-designated location or “station” within a vehicle, such as a bus, train car or other vehicle. One lateral side of the area or station in which the wheelchair  12  is secured is provided with a barrier  80  which is affixed to the floor  82  of the vehicle  14  utilizing mounting plates  81 . Barrier  80  serves to restrict the lateral movement of a wheelchair  12  positioned within the wheelchair station, and also to provide a supplemental hand hold which may be used by a wheelchair occupant during the process of securing the wheelchair  12  in the station. 
         [0031]    Typically, the wheelchair station is defined in the rear by bulkhead  84 , at one lateral side by the barrier  80 , at the other lateral side by the aisle of the vehicle, and in the front by the back of the next seat or collection of seats which may be found within the vehicle&#39;s interior. 
         [0032]    Bulkhead  84  is typically secured to bulkhead frame  89 , which is in turn secured to the floor  82  of the vehicle  14  by bulkhead bases  86 . Bulkhead bases  86  are secured to the floor  82  using nuts, bolts, screws or similar fasteners. Affixed to the sides of the bulkhead frame  89  are one or more belt assemblies  118 , including retractable seat belts, seat belt receptacles  112 , retractable shoulder belts and shoulder belt receptacles (not shown) designed to be utilized by the occupant of a wheelchair  12  positioned within the wheelchair station, simultaneously with the use of wheelchair-securing belts  22  which will be described in further detail herein. 
         [0033]    Securing of the wheelchair  12  within the station is affected by rear belts  22  and rear hooks  24 . Belts  22  are retractable within the retractor module  20 . 
         [0034]    The front of the wheelchair is typically secured to the station by a front belt  87  provided with a hook  88  and secured to a front retractor  90  mounted to a retractor base  96  and a retractor base support  92  utilizing a front retractor pivot mounting plate  94 . It will be appreciated from  FIG. 2  that a wheelchair positioned within the station may be secured against fore, aft and lateral movement by belts  22  and  87  when tension is applied to such belts. 
         [0035]    Front retractor  90  is provided with an internal spool about which is wound a front belt  87 . By manipulation of one or more controls on the front belt retractor  90 , a suitable portion of front belt  87  may be withdrawn from the retractor  90  or wound up onto spool contained within retractor  90 , thereby regulating the length of the portion of the front belt  87  between the housing of the front retractor  90  and the hook  88 . Regulation of this length of belt  87  allows selective positioning of the hook  88  in relation to the wheelchair  12  and the vehicle  14  in which the wheelchair  12  is being carried. 
         [0036]    The operation of retractor module  20  will be best understood first by reference to  FIG. 3 , which depicts the retractor module  20 , and more specifically, retractor module  20  having a housing front  30  and a housing rear  32  which, when assembled, form a 6-sided enclosure which substantially surrounds and encloses the operating elements of the retractor module  20 . The housing may also comprise the housing formed by an existing bulkhead in a vehicle. Belts  22  are selectively spooled on retractor assembly spools which will be described in further detail herein. At one end of each of the belts  22  is a hook  24 , which is preferably an open, J-shaped hook to permit easy engagement of the hook  24  with a portion of a wheelchair  12 . To insure that belts  22  are properly aligned for retraction into the retractor module  20 , the housing front  30  has affixed thereto belt guides  26  which serve to guide and flatten belts  22  as they retract into the retractor module  20 . To permit the belts  22  to be withdrawn from the retractor module  22 , an external release lever  54  is provided, the operation of which will be described in detail herein. 
         [0037]    With reference now to  FIG. 4 , the mechanical operation of the retractor module  20  is explained as follows: attached to the interior side of housing front  30  is a pair of retractor assemblies  40 . Typically, such retractor assemblies  40  are secured by means of fasteners  28 , which typically include a screw or bolt, one or more washers and one or more nuts. Each retractor assembly  40  includes a frame  41  supporting a retractor spool  44 . The ends of the retractor spools  44  comprise sprockets  42 . In the preferred embodiment, spools  44  are spring-biased within spool frames  41 , urging belts  22  to be wound around spools  44  whenever tension on belts  22  is released. It is of critical importance, however, that the extension of belts  22  from spools  44  be controlled absolutely, so that extension of belts  22  may take place only under certain conditions. When spools  44  are appropriately locked in relation to spool frames  41 , belts  22  are restricted from further extension from the retractor module  20 , thereby holding the wheelchair  12  secure from forward movement in relation to vehicle  14 . 
         [0038]    To achieve this selective locking result, each retractor assembly  40  is provided with a retractor lock pawl  72  which is pivotally mounted adjacent to retractor sprockets  42 . When brought into engagement with sprockets  42 , retractor lock pawl  72  prevents spools  44  from rotating, and thereby prevents further extension of belts  22  from spools  44 . Retractor lock pawl  72  may be disengaged from sprockets  42  by release shaft extensions  48 . Release shaft extensions  48  are connected to release shaft  63 . Release shaft  63  is biased toward the locked position as will be further described herein. The release shaft  63  is interconnected with release lever  54 . Release shaft bracket  46  is secured to the interior of housing front  30 . When fully assembled, release arm  58  rotates in response to movement of release lever  54  thereby activating velocity controller  60 . 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, velocity controller  60  is in the form of a pneumatic or hydraulic timer secured to housing front  30  by velocity controller mount  62 . As release lever  54  is moved laterally, it engages the upper end of release arm  58 , which then rotates and urges velocity controller actuator  61  out of its retracted position within velocity controller  60 . Velocity controller actuator  61  is pneumatically or hydraulic biased to retract into the body velocity controller  60 , so that after a short period of time, velocity controller actuator  61  returns to its initial position fully retracted within the body of velocity controller  60 . The time interval between extension of velocity controller actuator arm  61  and retraction is adjustable by a valve (not shown) mounted to velocity controller  60 . 
         [0040]    During the time that velocity controller actuator  61  is fully to partially extended from velocity controller  60 , release arm  58  is restricted from rotation, which in turn restricts a rotation of release shaft  63  and release shaft extensions  48 . As a result, retractor lock pawls  72  remain disengaged from sprockets  42 , allowing belts  22  to be unwound from spools  44 . The design of release shaft  63  and release shaft extensions  48  is such that the release shaft extensions  48  on each side of the release shaft  63  move in concert, thereby simultaneously locking and unlocking spools  44  for and against rotation. Release lever  54  may be provided at one end with a release lever knob  56  to facilitate manipulation of the release lever  54  by the user. The release lever  54  is pivotally mounted through release shaft  63 , thereby allowing release lever  54  to move vertically in aperture  57  to affect rotation of release shaft  63 , and at its lower limit of travel, to move horizontally within aperture  57 , thereby engaging release lever  54  with release arm  58 . Since release shaft  63  is biased for rotation to urge release lever  54  upward in aperture  57 , release lever  54  is held in the locked position for a fail-safe condition to prevent undesired and unexpected operation of the retractor assemblies  40 . 
         [0041]    More detailed understanding of the operation of the system will be apparent from reference to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C, which show the interrelation of the various components of the retractor and release assembly. In  FIG. 5A , the two retractor assemblies  40  are shown in relation to the release shaft  63 , release shaft extensions  48 , retractor lock pawl  72 , release lever  54  and velocity controller  60 . In the release mode, as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  5 A and  5 B, the release lever  54  has been urged downwardly and to the side within the confines of aperture  57 . This action simultaneously rotates release shaft  63  and release shaft extensions  48 , thereby urging the lock pawl arms  50  of release shaft extensions  48  against the retractor pawls  72 . The lower ends of retractor lock pawl  72  are thus disengaged from sprockets  42  of spools  44 , allowing spools  44  to rotate freely in both directions. At the same time, release lever  54  has urged release arm  58  away from its central position, extracting velocity controller actuator  61  from velocity controller  60 . Attached to velocity controller actuator  61  internal to the velocity controller  60  is a piston. Attached to an upper portion of release arm  58  is a lock pawl power spring  70  which urges release arm  58  clockwise, and simultaneously urges velocity control actuator  61  toward a retracted position within velocity controller  60 . Since velocity controller  60  incorporates a calibrated leak, velocity control actuator  61  retracts into velocity controller  60  at a slow, measured and predetermined rate. When velocity controller actuator  61  has fully retracted into the velocity controller  60 , the upper portion of release arm  58  urges the release lever  54  to the opposite side of aperture  57 , thereby permitting release lever  54  to move upward in aperture  57 . This upward movement is facilitated by the bias on release shaft  63  imposed by tension spring  52 . When release lever  54  has moved fully upward in aperture  57 , release shaft  63  has correspondingly rotated in cooperation with the bias of tension spring  52 , thereby disengaging from retractor lock pawl  72 . 
         [0042]    The condition of the various components after upward movement of the release lever  54  is depicted in  FIGS. 6 ,  6 A and  6 B. With particular attention to  FIGS. 6 and 6B , it will be appreciated that with the upper ends of release shaft extensions  48  disengaged from retractor lock pawls  72  creating gap  74 , lock pawls  72  are free to rotate into engagement with retractor spool  44 , thereby locking retractor spool  44  from rotation in the direction which would permit withdrawal of belt  22  from retractor assembly spool  44 , thereby effecting locking of the belts  22  in relation to the retractor module  20 . It should also be appreciated, however, that because the sprockets  42  of spools  44  have a sawtooth shape, belts  22  may be permitted to retract and further wind around spools  44 , since the lock pawl  72  does not inhibit movement of the spool in the direction of belt retraction. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 9 , velocity controller  60  is replaced by an electromagnetic solenoid  120 . In this embodiment, the electromagnetic solenoid  120  is powered by an electronic controller  122  containing a timing circuit. A push button  102  for operation of the release mechanism is provided to the user or vehicle operator. When the push button  102  is activated, the timer circuit begins to run, causing the plunger  126  of the solenoid  120  to retract, thereby rotating the release shaft  63  and release shaft extensions  48 , again allowing free movement of retractor spools  44 . After the interval set by the timer circuit has expired, the solenoid plunger extends, again rotating the release shaft  63  and the release shaft extensions  48  to effect locking of the spools  44  by virtue of engagement of the retractor lock pawl  72  with the sprockets  42 . 
         [0044]    In yet another embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the retractor module  20  is mounted, not to the bulkhead  84 , but rather, to a seat base  116  to which is affixed a foldable seat element  110 . In this embodiment, seat belt or shoulder belt components  114  may be affixed to the seat base  116  to permit the occupant of the wheelchair  12  to be individually secured in relation to the vehicle. In this embodiment, the operation of the retractor module  20  is identical to that of the first embodiment, and, in fact, the same retractor assembly housing elements are configured to fit neatly within the framework of seat base  116 , which is secured to the floor  82  of the vehicle  14 . 
         [0045]    Although the above-described embodiments are drawn to a positioning of the module  20  behind a wheelchair or other mobility aid, it will be appreciated that the module  20  is equally effective in a position in front of a mobility aid, where means are provided to secure the rear of the mobility aid. It will also be appreciated that a plurality of modules  20  may be utilized, for example, one module in the front of the wheelchair and one module in the rear of the wheelchair, with each module containing one or more retractor mechanisms operated by a mechanical or electromechanical timer as above-described. 
         [0046]    It will be appreciated that modifications within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art without departing from the invention of which
An apparatus for restraining a mobility aid in the interior of a vehicle includes two or more retractor spools contained within a common housing. The retractor spools carry flexible webbed belts, and are operated by common actuator mechanism having a direct mechanical attachment to the spools. The various elements of the apparatus are contained within a common housing which is easily mounted to a bulkhead or under a foldable seat. A third retractor is mounted in opposition permitting both the front and rear of the mobility aid to be easily secured by the occupant of the mobility aid without assistance of the operator of the vehicle. The operative portions of the retractor are designed to be positioned so as not to present an obstacle to other users of the vehicle in which the apparatus may be installed. A timing mechanism is provided for at least one of the retractor spools to allow at least one of the retractor spools to be freely manipulated during a predetermined time interval.