Wheelchair and occupant restraint system for transportation of handicapped passengers

The objective of research into restraining wheelchair-bound passengers of buses and vans, was to design an effective system that can be built with standard components at reasonable costs without interfering unduly with passengers and space requirements. The author consulted with rehabilitation medicine and transportation specialists and found that virtually all current systems are ineffective in either restraining wheelchair, occupant, or both under conditions of impacts at 50km/h and less. Many systems may appear technically sound, but contain weak links, thus rendering the whole system useless or making it dangerous. A system was designed that utilizes off-the-shelf components and especially designed channels. The assembly has been tested under static conditions in the laboratory by applying a pull of 6000 newtons (N), according to static test procedures standardized by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for seatbelts. Furthermore, the system was dynamically tested in a crash test at 50km/h. The system is currently used in a private van, a public van offering 5 seating positions, and a school bus designed for 17 wheelchair positions.