Automatic Wheelchair Locking Devices

What Is an Automatic Wheelchair Locking Device?

Automatic wheelchair locking devices are products designed to secure an occupied wheelchair during transport. What makes them automatic is that the wheelchair user only needs to move the chair into position for the locking device to engage. When it is time to release, the push of a button disengages the lock, and the wheelchair user can then easily exit the vehicle.

Compare this to manual or retractable tie-down straps. For strap systems, each of the four straps must be placed on the wheelchair and tightened down individually by hand. The person doing this usually needs to get down on the floor and reach over or behind the wheelchair to make this happen, which can be challenging and tedious–especially if it needs to be done several times a day!

What Are the Components of an Automatic Wheelchair Locking Device?

An automatic wheelchair locking device, such as those manufactured by EZ Lock or QStraint, has two primary parts: a bracket and a floor mount.

The bracket is a pin or bolt-like piece that is attached to the bottom of a wheelchair. The floor mount is a “box” that is bolted to the floor of the wheelchair van. The bolt then slides into the v-shaped slot in the floor mount, and the lock snaps onto the bracket.

In addition, there is a control switch typically mounted on the dashboard of the vehicle that lets the user release the lock when exiting the wheelchair van.

Summary
Automatic wheelchair locking devices are popular because they make the tedious chore of securing a wheelchair not only easier, but also more “accurate.” While automatic wheelchair locking devices are more expensive, our customers who use them will tell you that they are a good investment because of their convenience.