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US-12622824-B2 - Track fitting having visible and tactile indicator

US12622824B2US 12622824 B2US12622824 B2US 12622824B2US-12622824-B2

Abstract

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.

Inventors

  • John L. Kazanchy

Assignees

  • John L. Kazanchy

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20230530

Claims (20)

  1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 5 . The track fitting of claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the locking slide comprises a release tab.
  6. 6 . The track fitting of claim 1 , wherein the locking slide remains in an extended position in a locked position.
  7. 7 . The track fitting of claim 1 , wherein the locking slide remains in a retracted position in an engaged position.
  8. 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. 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. 10 . The wheelchair restraint system of claim 9 , comprising a display configured to indicate a status of the switch.
  11. 11 . The wheelchair restraint system of claim 10 , wherein the display comprises at least one light emitting diode.
  12. 12 . The wheelchair restraint system of claim 9 , comprising a transducer to indicate a status of the switch.
  13. 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. 14 . The wheelchair restraint system of claim 13 , comprising a display configured to indicate a status of the first and second switches.
  15. 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. 16 . The track fitting of claim 15 , comprising a display configured to indicate a status of the switch.
  17. 17 . The track fitting of claim 16 , wherein the display comprises at least one light emitting diode.
  18. 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. 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. 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.

Description

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of Provisional Appl. No. 63/355,844, filed Jun. 27, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a track fitting that secures a load during mobile transport. L-track systems are frequently incorporated in transportation systems to secure loads. The L-track systems are frequently mounted on the floors of vans, trucks, aircraft or other transportation systems. The L-track systems, therefore, may become contaminated with dirt or liquid spills or even damaged by foot or vehicle traffic during loading and unloading. These L-track systems often include an adjustable locking mechanism that is inserted into the track and coupled to the load to secure it during transport. Many different styles of locking mechanisms have been developed that incorporate various visual indicators to verify that the locking mechanism is in a locked position. These, visual indicators, however, may fail to indicate that the locking mechanism is properly engaged with the L-track due to contamination or damage. Some of these systems may require manipulation such as latching or bolting the locking mechanism in place but fail to indicate whether the locking mechanism is properly engaged with the L-track. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention is directed to a track fitting comprising a body. A plurality of engagement flanges extends 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. An indicator pin is slidably attached to the body and biased downward by an indicator pin spring A second embodiment of the present invention is directed to a wheelchair restraint system comprising a track fitting having a body. A threaded hole in the body is arranged to attach a wheelchair restraining strap. A plurality of engagement flanges extends 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. An indicator pin is slidably attached to the body and biased downward by an indicator pin spring. A third embodiment of the present invention is directed to a track fitting with electronic monitoring, A body of the track fitting has a plurality of engagement flanges that extends laterally 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. An indicator pin is slidably attached to the body and biased downward by an indicator pin spring. A switch is arranged to detect a position of the indicator pin and the locking slide. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a track fitting of the present invention installed on an L-track; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the track fitting of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a further exploded view of the track fitting of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the track fitting of FIG. 1 in a neutral position; FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the track fitting of FIG. 4 in a locked position on the L-track; FIG. 6 is a cutaway side view of the track fitting of FIG. 5 in the locked position; FIG. 7 is a side view of a further embodiment of the track fitting in the neutral position with electronic monitoring; and FIG. 8 is a side view of the embodiment of the track fitting of FIG. 7 in the locked position on the L-track. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention provide significant advantages over L-track restraint systems of the prior art. In the following description, like reference numerals indicate like components in the several drawing figures. Also, in the following description terms such as “down,” “downward,” and “bottom” indicate a direction toward an L-track even though the L-track may be mounted on a floor, side walls, or a ceiling. Likewise, terms such as “up,” “upward,” and “top” indicate a direction away from the L-track. Referring to FIG. 1, there is an isometric view of a track fitting 1 of the present invention installed on L-track 13 in a locked position. L-track 13 has a bottom with perpendicular side walls supporting a top. The top of L-track 13 is characterized by periodically spaced apart circular openings with intervening narrow regions. A body 5 of track fitting 1 carries a slidably mounted indicator pin 2 having an annular groove 3 near the top. In the locked position, indicator pin 2 and groove 3 are visible and provide both visual and tactile confirmation that track fitting 1 is in the locked position. A secu