NMI is the world leader in the manufacture
of a range of patented dual purpose
seats that can be used by able bodied
passengers and are also wheelchair
docking stations that provide unparalleled
levels of safety to wheelchair passengers.
Rear Impact Protection Seats (RIPS)
provide tested back and headrest
support for wheelchair users travelling
in vehicles.
THE SAFETY OF WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANTS
IN ROAD PASSENGER VEHICLES.
In
May 2003, the Department for Transport
published a report following an
extensive programme of testing
to assess the safety of wheelchair
users when being transported on
all M category vehicles in comparison
with travellers seated in conventional
seats ( fitted with headrests
)
The work found that the heads
and necks of wheelchair users
were particularly vulnerable but
that this could be addressed through
the use of a head and back restraint.
However, such a restraint should
meet the requirements of ECE regulation
17 for strength and energy absorption
and the wheelchair should fit
well up against the head and back
restraint for maximum benefit.
The addition of a head and back
restraint was found to improve
the situation significantly, although
the presence of a gap between
the head and back restraint and
the wheelchair can have a detrimental
effect.
NMI has designed and patented
a comprehensive range of Rear
Impact Protection Seats ( RIPS
) over the last 3 years which
meet all the criteria as laid
out in the findings of the Department
for Transport report.
Design
NMI seat back and headrest units
rotationally deform in a crash
impact situation so as to reduce
the loading on the wheelchair
passenger ie providing energy
absorption.
Varying
widths of seat back allied to
clever design allow the wheelchair
user to sit close up against the
head and back restraint thereby
eliminating any gap when securing
manual wheelchairs.
For
the same close fit of a wheelchair
user seated in an electric wheelchair
( with a battery pack ) NMI’s
unique and patented ‘Extending
back’ design ensures the
correct close positioning of the
back and headrest.
On all Rips the seat cushion
is completely removed and
has a storage position on
the back of the unit. Some
vehicle converters have
alternative cushion storage
areas in the vehicle.
Adapter beam accessories
are supplied as standard
items.
The adjuster bar is an optional
accessory to be added when
ordering.
All Rips come with two off
3 point lap and diagonal
belts with all age adjusters.
(this will stop the webbing
cutting across the passengers
neck)
Two off extension belts
(normally for use with the
wheelchair user) also come
as standard. Note: these
need only be used when required
and not necessarily with
all passengers.
Testing
NMI
RIPS have been statically pull
tested as seating units for able-bodied
occupants. Various static tests
have been conducted in vehicle
conversions. See test section.
Dynamic
crash testing has also been carried
out. NMI’s latest product
– ROTATNG KING RIPS –
has passed the ISO 10542/2 requirements,
which stipulates using a surrogate
wheelchair weighing 85kg and a
dummy weighing 75kgs. This product
has also been tested to the same
test pulse as laid out in the
standard with the wheelchair and
occupant facing rearwards.
Development,
innovation and customer feedback
has resulted in NMI being able
to offer a comprehensive range
of Rear Impact units suitable
for different sizes of vehicle
and wheelchair.
