IP Library Granted Patent US 11,712,380
Granted Patent B2
US 11,712,380 · App. 17/143,750 · Granted Aug 1, 2023

Wheelchair passenger securement system with bumper having a retracted position

Inventors: Jean-Marc Girardin (Golden Beach, FL); Joe Esteireiro (Cambridge, CA)
Assignee: Valeda Company, LLC
A61G3/0808B60N2/24B60P3/079B60R22/20B60R22/22B60R22/24A61G2203/723
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,712,380
App. No.
17/143,750
Granted
Aug 1, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a bumper being moveable from an extended or usage position to a retracted or storage position to increase the unobstructed floor area of the securement area in a vehicle.

Claims (24)

1. A securement system adapted for securing a mobility aid in a securement area of a vehicle, the securement system comprising:

a bumper adapted as a touch point between the vehicle and the mobility aid for restraining the mobility aid during transit, wherein the bumper is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, whereby in the retracted position, the bumper is positioned adjacent a wall of the vehicle and, in the extended position, at least a portion of the bumper is spaced a distance from the wall; and,

a seat for an amble passenger, wherein the bumper is disposed entirely below the seat when the seat is in a use position.

2. The securement system of claim 1 , wherein the securement area is defined by an unobstructed floor area for accommodating the mobility aid, whereby the unobstructed floor area of the securement area is greater when the bumper is in the retracted position compared to when the bumper is in the extended position.

3. The securement system of claim 2 , wherein the unobstructed floor area has a width and a length, whereby the width of the unobstructed floor area of the securement area is greater when the bumper is in the retracted position compared to when the bumper is in the extended position.

4. The securement system of claim 1 further comprising: a first module configured to be positioned at a first edge of the securement area, wherein the first module includes the seat, the seat has the use position and a stored position, in its use position the seat extends outward from the first module and into the securement area, and in its stored position the seat is positioned outside of the securement area; and a second module oriented transversely to the first module.

5. The securement system of claim 4 , wherein the securement area is defined by an unobstructed floor area for accommodating the mobility aid, whereby the unobstructed floor area of the securement area is greater when the bumper is in the retracted position compared to when the bumper is in the extended position.

6. A securement system adapted for securing a mobility aid in a securement area of a vehicle, the securement system comprising:

a bumper adapted as a touch point between the vehicle and the mobility aid for restraining the mobility aid during transit, wherein the bumper is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, whereby in the retracted position, the bumper is positioned adjacent a side of and outside of the securement area and, in the extended position, at least a portion of the bumper extends into the securement area; and,

a seat for an amble passenger, wherein the bumper is disposed entirely below the seat when the seat is in a use position.

7. The securement system of claim 6 , wherein the securement area is defined by an unobstructed floor area for accommodating the mobility aid, whereby the unobstructed floor area of the securement area is greater when the bumper is in the retracted position compared to when the bumper is in the extended position.

8. The securement system of claim 7 , wherein the unobstructed floor area has a width and a length, whereby the width of the unobstructed floor area of the securement area is greater when the bumper is in the retracted position compared to when the bumper is in the extended position.

9. The securement system of claim 8 , wherein the side of the securement area is a wall side of the securement area.

10. The securement system of claim 6 further comprising: a first module configured to be positioned at a first edge of the securement area, wherein the first module includes the seat, the seat has the use position and a stored position, in its use position the seat extends outward from the first module and into the securement area, and in its stored position the seat is positioned outside of the securement area; and a second module oriented transversely to the first module.

11. The securement system of claim 10 , wherein the securement area is defined by an unobstructed floor area for accommodating the mobility aid, whereby the unobstructed floor area of the securement area is greater when the bumper is in the retracted position compared to when the bumper is in the extended position.

12. The securement system of claim 10 , wherein the first module is positioned adjacent a wall of the vehicle.

13. A securement system adapted for securing a mobility aid in a securement area of a vehicle, the securement area being defined by an unobstructed floor area for accommodating the mobility aid, the securement system comprising:

a bumper adapted as a touch point between the vehicle and the mobility aid for restraining the mobility aid during transit, wherein the bumper is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, whereby the unobstructed floor area is greater when the bumper is in the retracted position as compared to when the bumper is in the extended position; and

a seat for an amble passenger, wherein the bumper is disposed entirely below the seat when the seat is in a use position.

14. The securement system of claim 13 , wherein the unobstructed floor area has a width and a length, whereby the width of the unobstructed floor area of the securement area is greater when the bumper is in the retracted position compared to when the bumper is in the extended position.

15. The securement system of claim 13 , wherein the bumper is disposed adjacent a side of the securement area.

16. The securement system of claim 15 , wherein the side of the securement area is a wall side of the securement area.

17. The securement system of claim 13 further comprising: a first module configured to be positioned at a first edge of the securement area, wherein the first module includes the seat, the seat has the use position and a stored position, in its use position the seat extends outward from the first module and into the securement area, and in its stored position the seat is positioned outside of the securement area; and a second module oriented transversely to the first module.

18. The securement system of claim 10 , wherein the first module is positioned adjacent a wall of the vehicle.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: VALEDA COMPANY, LLC; SURE-LOK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 067310/0483 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2024
From: THE BRAUN CORPORATION; B & D INDEPENDENCE, LLC; VALEDA COMPANY, LLC; SURE-LOK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 067310/0911 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2021
From: VALEDA COMPANY, LLC; SURE-LOK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 056441/0065 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2021
From: GIRARDIN, JEAN-MARC; ESTEIREIRO, JOE; GIRARDIN, PATRICK; CARDONA, EDGARDO
To: VALEDA COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 055257/0871 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 16412981 · May 15, 2019
Continuation 16230574 · Dec 21, 2018
Continuation 14811248 · Jul 28, 2015
Continuation 13842407 · Mar 15, 2013
Continuation In Part 12573881 · Oct 5, 2009
Provisional Application 61102853 · Oct 5, 2008
Related Publication 20210121341A1 · Apr 29, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,623,574