Wheelchair docking system and method thereof
A wheelchair docking system including a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being movable relative to the lower portion between a lowered position and a raised position. A coupler mechanism engages a wheelchair during a docking operation. The system also includes a first latching mechanism being movable between a retracted position and a latching position such that the first latching mechanism is spaced from the coupler mechanism. A second latching mechanism moves the upper portion of the frame between its lowered position and raised position. The first latching mechanism is partially retracted by a wheelchair during the docking operation, and the first latching mechanism is biased to its latching position when the coupler mechanism engages the wheelchair.
1 . A multi-directional docking system for coupling to a wheelchair, comprising:
a frame;
a coupling device coupled to the frame, the coupling device comprising a first opening and a second opening;
a coupling mechanism on the wheelchair; and,
wherein, in a coupled configuration, the coupling mechanism is alternatively received in one of the first opening and the second opening of the coupling device for coupling the wheelchair to the docking system and the other one of the first opening and the second opening is uncoupled.
2 . The docking system of claim 1 , further comprising a first leg, a second leg, a third leg;
wherein, the first leg and the second leg define the first opening for receiving the coupling mechanism on the wheelchair and the third leg and a fourth leg define the second opening for receiving the coupling mechanism on the wheelchair.
3 . The docking system of claim 1 , wherein the first opening is formed at a first end of the coupling device, and the second opening is formed at a second end thereof.
4 . The docking system of claim 1 , wherein the first opening is approximately 180° spaced from the second opening.
5 . The docking system of claim 1 , wherein-the coupling device comprises a first portion and a second portion collectively defining the first opening and the second opening, and wherein a width of the first and second openings at the first portion is less than a width of the first and second openings at the second portion.
6 . The docking system of claim 2 , wherein the coupling device comprises a first portion and a second portion collectively defining the first leg, the second leg, the third leg, and the fourth leg, wherein a width of each of the first leg, the second leg, the third leg, and the fourth leg at the first portion is greater than a width of the first leg, the second leg, the third leg, and the fourth leg at the second portion.
7 . The docking system of claim 1 , wherein the coupling device is mechanically coupled to the frame via one or more fasteners.
8 . A transport vehicle, comprising:
a floor;
a multi-directional docking system adjustably coupled to the floor, the multi-directional docking system comprising a frame and a coupling device coupled to the frame, wherein the coupling device comprises a first opening and a second opening; and,
a wheelchair configured to be removably coupled to the docking system, the wheelchair comprising a frame, at least one wheel coupled to the frame, and a coupling mechanism;
wherein, in a coupled configuration, the coupling mechanism is alternatively received in one of the first opening and the second opening of the coupling device for coupling the wheelchair to the docking system and the other one of the first opening and the second opening is uncoupled.
9 . The transport vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the coupling device further comprises a first leg, a second leg, a third leg, and a fourth leg;
wherein, the first leg and the second leg define the first opening for receiving the coupling mechanism on the wheelchair and the third leg and fourth leg define the second opening for receiving the coupling mechanism on the wheelchair.
10 . The transport vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the first opening is formed at a first end of the coupling device, and the second opening is formed at a second end thereof.
11 . The transport vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the first opening is approximately 180° spaced from the second opening.
12 . The transport vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the coupling device comprises a first portion and a second portion collectively defining the first opening and the second opening, and wherein a width of the first and second openings at the first portion is less than a width of the first and second openings at the second portion.
13 . The transport vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the coupling device comprises a first portion and a second portion collectively defining the first leg, the second leg, the third leg, and the fourth leg, wherein a width of each of the first leg, the second leg, the third leg, and the fourth leg at the first portion is greater than a width of the first leg, the second leg, the third leg, and the fourth leg at the second portion.
14 . The transport vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the coupling device is mechanically coupled to the frame of the docking system via one or more fasteners.
15 . The transport vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the multi-directional docking system comprises a locking mechanism for coupling the wheelchair to the docking system.
16 . The transport vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the coupling mechanism is coupled to a bottom portion of the wheelchair, the coupling mechanism comprising a first portion and a second portion;
wherein, the first portion is coupled directly to the bottom portion of the wheelchair and is radially smaller than the second portion.
17 . The transport vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising a sensor for detecting the coupling mechanism of the wheelchair relative to the coupling device.
18 . A system for restricting movement of a wheelchair, the wheelchair including a coupling mechanism, comprising:
a multi-directional docking system comprising a frame and a coupling device coupled to the frame;
a coupling mechanism on the wheelchair;
a first opening for receiving the coupling mechanism on the wheelchair;
a second opening for receiving the coupling mechanism on the wheelchair; and
a releasably engageable locking mechanism for coupling the wheelchair to the docking system;
wherein, in a coupled configuration, the coupling mechanism is alternatively received in the first opening or the second opening of the coupling device and the other one of the first opening and the second opening is uncoupled.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein, in the coupled configuration, the releasably engageable locking mechanism is engaged for coupling the wheelchair to the docking system.
20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the coupling device comprises a first portion and a second portion collectively defining the first opening and the second opening, and wherein a width of the first and second openings at the first portion is less than a width of the first and second openings at the second portion.