A surface mount assembly may comprise at least one connector set, including a mount anchor and mount fitting that are configured to lockingly engage, and a remote release assembly for unlocking the two. The surface mount assembly may include a catch to catch the mount fitting as it drops from engagement with the mount anchor. The surface mount assembly may further include a guide member for guiding the mount fitting into engagement with the mount anchor. The surface mount assembly may further include a case mount assembly that is crashworthy, in that it is configured to transfer the loads from cargo contained in the case to the mount fitting, while largely bypassing the case. The surface mount assembly may also include two connector sets, where the remote release assembly is disposed between the two and is configured to simultaneous release each of the two from engagement.

A loading system for loading a wheelchair into a rear loading space of a vehicle includes at least one loading device disposable on the vehicle. The loading system has at least one first coupling unit disposable on a rear side of a backrest of the wheelchair and fixable to the wheelchair. The loading device has at least one second coupling unit capable of being coupled to the first coupling unit, at least one telescopic loading arm which at an end portion is connected to the coupling unit pivotable about a free pivot axis, and at least one pivot bearing fastenable to a front side end portion of the loading space, by which a pivot bearing the loading arm at another end portion is connected pivotable about a locationally-fixed pivot axis that runs parallel with and spaced apart from the free pivot axis transverse to a vehicle longitudinal direction.

The disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus to automatically maneuver a wheelchair relative to a vehicle. The vehicle has a first sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor, and the wheelchair has a second sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor. The automatic maneuver is carried out both on the basis of sensor signals from the first sensor arrangement and on the basis of sensor signals from the second sensor arrangement.

A lifting device for lifting a wheelchair into and out of a rear loading space of a motor vehicle includes lifting assemblies, fastened within a loading space of the vehicle, each having a pivot bearing; a telescopic lifting arm, connected to the pivot bearings to pivot about an axis in the vehicle transverse direction; a transverse stay which runs in the vehicle transverse direction, connected to free end portions of the lifting arms; and a coupling unit disposed on the transverse stay and configured to couple at least indirectly to the wheelchair.

A restraint apparatus for securing a mobility device in a vehicle includes a base configured to being mounted to a floor of the vehicle, a support coupled to the base and extending upward therefrom, and a backing plate adjustably coupled to the support. The backing plate defines a channel to provide vertical adjustment of the backing plate with respect to the support. An upper support is pivotally coupled to the backing plate, and a claw assembly is coupled to the upper support. The claw assembly includes a claw member and a latching member, where the latching member is pivotally coupled to the claw member to enable pivotal movement between an unlatched position and a latched position. A control system operably controls the pivotal movement of the latching member between its latched position to its unlatched positions. In the unlatched position, the claw assembly provides an opening for receiving the device.

The disclosure relates to a a method for automating driving of a vehicle into a stopping position. The method includes receiving and processing vehicle environment signals, and generating control signals configured to at least partly automate the driving of the vehicle into the stopping position. The processing includes detecting an entry/exit area to be used for boarding/disembarking of a wheelchair user, checking whether the entry/exit area has spatial dimensions required for for the boarding/disembarking, checking whether the entry/exit area is independently traversable by the wheelchair user, and determining a stopping position adjacent to the entry/exit area for stopping the vehicle in response to recognizing that (i) the entry/exit area has the spatial dimensions required for the at least one of the boarding and the disembarking of the wheelchair user and (ii) the entry/exit area is independently traversable by the wheelchair user.

Cot fastening systems which fix and hold an emergency cot to a crash stable, cot fastener track included in the system and provided within an emergency vehicle and methods of affixing the emergency cot thereto are disclosed. The track has a longitudinal length with first and second ends, open side rails longitudinally extending between the ends, and a channel centrally located between the rails. The side rails align, accommodate and guide a first fixture of the cot towards the first end as the cot is rolled within the vehicle and to retain the first fixture adjacent the first end at least vertically and laterally therein. The channel accommodates therein and retains a second fixture adjacent the second end at least vertically and laterally therein. A securing mechanism releasably prevents removal of the first fixture from the open side rails and removal of the second fixture from the channel.

A wheelchair lift includes a base, and an arm slideably supported by the base. A chair support is rotatably supported by the arm. A linkage is supported by the arm and is extendable relative to the chair support from a coiled position to a straightened position. A motor is supported by the arm and is connected to the linkage. The linkage is coiled about the motor in the coiled position.

Cot fastening systems (2) which fix and hold an emergency cot (14) to a crash stable cot fastener track (12) provided within an emergency vehicle (8). The track (12) has a longitudinal length with front (85) and back ends (80), open side rails (28, 30) longitudinally extending between the ends, and a channel (86, 88) centrally located between the rails. The side rails (28, 30) align, accommodate and guide a forward fixture (4) of the cot towards the front end (85) as the cot (14) is rolled within the vehicle to retain the forward fixture (4) adjacent the front end (85) at least vertically and laterally. The channel (86, 88) accommodates and retains a rearward fixture (6) adjacent the back end (80) at least vertically and laterally. A securing mechanism (70,102) releasably prevents removal of the forward fixture (4) from the open side rails and removal of the rearward fixture (6) from the channel (86, 88).

A vehicle lift includes a lift base, a movable lift tower, and a movable platform. A first rail is configured to move the lift tower horizontally, and includes a outer extruded rails secured to the lift base, central extruded rails movable with respect to the outer extruded rails, and inner extruded rails movable with respect to the central extruded rails and fixed to the lift tower. A second rail assembly is fixed to the lift tower and may move the platform vertically with respect to the lift tower, and includes a outer extruded rails secured to the lift tower, central extruded rails movable with respect to the outer extruded rails, and inner extruded rails movable with respect to the central extruded rails and fixed to the lift tower.