Track fitting having visible and tactile indicator
View Patent ↗A track fitting comprising a body with a plurality of engagement flanges is disclosed. The engagement flanges extend laterally from the body to protrude below a top of an L-track. A locking slide is slidably attached to the body and biased downward by a locking slide spring. At least one locking lug extends down from the locking slide to engage with the L-track in a locking position. An indicator pin is slidably attached to the body and biased downward by an indicator pin spring.
1 . A track fitting, comprising:
a body;
a plurality of engagement flanges extending laterally from the body to protrude below a top of an L-track;
a locking slide being slidably attached to the body and biased downward by a locking slide spring;
at least one locking lug extending down from the locking slide and arranged to engage with the L-track; and
an indicator pin being slidably attached to the body and biased downward by an indicator pin spring.
2 . The track fitting of claim 1 , wherein the indicator pin extends above an upper surface of the locking slide in a locked position.
3 . The track fitting of claim 1 , wherein the indicator pin comprises an annular groove that extends above an upper surface of the locking slide in a locked position.
4 . The track fitting of claim 1 , wherein the indicator pin remains substantially below an upper surface of the locking slide in a neutral position.
5 . The track fitting of claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the locking slide comprises a release tab.
6 . The track fitting of claim 1 , wherein the locking slide remains in an extended position in a locked position.
7 . The track fitting of claim 1 , wherein the locking slide remains in a retracted position in an engaged position.
8 . A wheelchair restraint system, comprising:
a track fitting having a body;
a threaded hole in the body arranged to attach a wheelchair restraining strap;
a plurality of engagement flanges extending laterally from the body to protrude below a top of an L-track;
a locking slide being slidably attached to the body and biased downward by a locking slide spring;
at least one locking lug extending down from the locking slide and arranged to engage with the L-track; and
an indicator pin being slidably attached to the body and biased downward by an indicator pin spring.
9 . The wheelchair restraint system of claim 8 , comprising a switch arranged to detect a position of the indicator pin and the locking slide.
10 . The wheelchair restraint system of claim 9 , comprising a display configured to indicate a status of the switch.
11 . The wheelchair restraint system of claim 10 , wherein the display comprises at least one light emitting diode.
12 . The wheelchair restraint system of claim 9 , comprising a transducer to indicate a status of the switch.
13 . The wheelchair restraint system of claim 9 , wherein the switch comprises:
a first switch arranged to detect a position of the indicator pin; and
a second switch arranged to detect a position of the locking slide.
14 . The wheelchair restraint system of claim 13 , comprising a display configured to indicate a status of the first and second switches.
15 . A track fitting, comprising:
a body;
a plurality of engagement flanges extending laterally from the body to protrude below a top of an L-track;
a locking slide being slidably attached to the body and biased downward by a locking slide spring;
at least one locking lug extending down from the locking slide and arranged to engage with the L-track;
an indicator pin being slidably attached to the body and biased downward by an indicator pin spring; and
a switch arranged to detect a position of the indicator pin and the locking slide.
16 . The track fitting of claim 15 , comprising a display configured to indicate a status of the switch.
17 . The track fitting of claim 16 , wherein the display comprises at least one light emitting diode.
18 . The track fitting of claim 15 , wherein the switch comprises:
a first switch arranged to detect a position of the indicator pin; and
a second switch arranged to detect a position of the locking slide.
19 . The track fitting of claim 15 , comprising:
a first switch arranged to detect a position of the indicator pin;
a second switch arranged to detect a position of the locking slide; and
a display configured to indicate a status of the first and second switches.
20 . The track fitting of claim 15 , comprising a transducer arranged to emit a sound when the switch indicates a status change of the indicator pin and the locking slide.