DE102019107272A1 - Rollator - Google Patents

Abstract

A rollator is described and shown, with a pair of wheels at the front in the direction of travel and a pair of wheels at the rear in the direction of travel, with a frame (11) having rearward-facing struts (12), each strut (12) having a rear wheel (13) holds the rear pair of wheels, - with a platform (30) which is attached to the rollator (10), has at least one wheel and provides a standing surface (32) for a person using the rollator (10), - with a use position of the platform (30) in which the platform (30) rests with its wheel on a floor surface, trailing the frame (11), - with a storage position of the platform (30) in which the platform (30) is inoperative on the frame ( 11) of the rollator (10) is fixed, - wherein the platform (30) is arranged horizontally pivotable about at least one geometric axis relative to the frame (11) of the rollator (10) in order to be moved between the use position and the storage position, wherein - a blocking element nt (24) is available, which can assume a locked position and a loose position, - the locking element (24) in the locked position restricts the pivoting movement of the platform (30) to allow a person to turn over the rollator frame when the standing surface of the platform (30) is used (11) to prevent the geometric axis.

Description

• - mit einem in Fahrtrichtung vorne liegenden Radpaar und einem in Fahrtrichtung hinten liegenden Radpaar,
• - mit einem Rahmen, der nach hinten gerichtete Streben aufweist, wobei jede Strebe ein hinteres Rad des hinteren Radpaares hält,
• - mit einer Plattform, die am Rollator befestigt ist, wenigstens ein Rad aufweist und eine Stehfläche für eine den Rollator nutzende Person zur Verfügung stellt,
• - mit einer Nutzstellung der Plattform, in welcher die Plattform dem Rahmen nachlaufend mit ihrem Rad auf einer Bodenfläche aufliegt,
• - mit einer Lagerstellung der Plattform, in welcher die Plattform funktionslos am Rahmen des Rollators festgelegt ist,
• - wobei die Plattform relativ zum Rahmen des Rollators horizontal um zumindest eine geometrische Achse schwenkbar angeordnet ist, um zwischen der Nutzstellung und der Lagerstellung bewegt zu werden.

The invention relates to a rollator,

• - with a pair of wheels at the front in the direction of travel and a pair of wheels at the rear in the direction of travel,
• - with a frame which has rearwardly directed struts, each strut holding a rear wheel of the rear wheel pair,
• - with a platform that is attached to the rollator, has at least one wheel and provides a standing area for a person using the rollator,
• - with a use position of the platform in which the platform rests with its wheel on a floor surface, following the frame,
• - with a storage position of the platform in which the platform is fixed to the frame of the rollator without function,
• - wherein the platform is horizontally pivotable relative to the frame of the rollator about at least one geometric axis in order to be moved between the use position and the storage position.

Generic rollators are for example from DE 2016 002 904 U1 , DE 10 2007 062 406 B4 or EP 451 423 B1 known. All these rollators have in common that they have a trailing platform. A person with reduced mobility can stand on this platform. The rollator is moved forward via an electric motor drive so that the mobility-impaired person does not have to move the rollator forwards on their own.

The applicant's own technology also belongs to the state of the art DE 20 2017 107 072 U1 , which describes an optimized concept of generic rollators and is an integral part of this application.

All the aforementioned rollators have in common that the frame and platform can be pivoted relative to one another about a horizontal axis. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that pitching movements, for example caused by uneven road surfaces, have to be compensated for. On the other hand, some rollators from the prior art make it possible to pivot the platform from a useful position to a storage position in order to move the rollator forward while walking.

Even if the rollator concepts are very well received by users, there are occasional situations in which the combination of rollator and platform shows unstable driving behavior in the use position. Particularly when driving over higher obstacles, which require the front wheels to be raised significantly to overcome obstacles, for example curbs, situations are at least theoretically conceivable in which the rollator frame threatens to tip over when the front wheels are lifted.

The object of the invention is therefore to counteract such instabilities by technical means.

• - ein Sperrelement vorhanden ist, welches eine Sperrstellung und eine Losstellung einnehmen kann,
• - das Sperrelement in Sperrstellung die Schwenkbewegung der Plattform einschränkt, um bei Nutzung der Stehfläche der Plattform durch eine Person ein Umschlagen des Rollatorrahmens um die geometrische Achse zu verhindern.

The invention is achieved by a rollator with the features of claim 1, in particular with its characterizing features, according to which

• - a locking element is present which can assume a locked position and a loose position,
• - The locking element in the locking position restricts the pivoting movement of the platform in order to prevent the rollator frame from turning around the geometric axis when the standing surface of the platform is used by a person.

In its locked position, the locking element allows exclusively stable driving conditions - even when overcoming obstacles - to be ensured and, in its detached position, to allow full pivotability of the platform, for example when it is to be moved into the storage position or for other reasons, for example for Transport or storage purposes, a large pivoting path of the platform is required.

Therefore, the invention is preferably designed so that the locking element allows a limited pivoting movement in the locked position to compensate for uneven floors, especially if the locking element in the locked position allows a limited pivoting movement to overcome obstacles up to the level of a curb.

In the case of a platform that can be swiveled by an electric motor between the useful and storage position, it is provided that the platform can be moved from the use position to the storage position using an electric motor and a self-locking gear, the gear being in the use position of the platform as a locking element.

In this case, a particular embodiment is characterized in that at least one gear part has a movement play which enables a restricted pivoting movement of the platform.

• - der Rahmen eine körperliche Horizontalachse ausbildet, um welche ein Hülsenbauteil angeordnet ist,
• - die Plattform am Hülsenbauteil festgelegt ist,
• - Hülsenbauteil und Horizontalachse ein Schwenklager für die Schwenkbewegung der Plattform bilden,
• - das Sperrelement mittels Kopplung von Hülsenbauteil und Horizontalachse die Schwenkbewegung einschränkt.

In a rollator according to the applicant's prior art, it is provided that

• - the frame forms a physical horizontal axis around which a sleeve component is arranged,
• - the platform is fixed on the sleeve component,
• - The sleeve component and the horizontal axis form a swivel bearing for the swivel movement of the platform,
• - The locking element restricts the pivoting movement by coupling the sleeve component and the horizontal axis.

In this way, the pivoting movement can be limited particularly easily.

Specifically, it is provided, for example, that the locking element is arranged in a receptacle which locks the locking element in its locked position on the one hand and in its released position on the other hand, the receptacle then being arranged on the sleeve component.

The problem can be solved in a mechanical way in particular if the locking element is a locking pin which penetrates aligned openings of the sleeve component and the horizontal axis in its blocking position, whereby it is provided that the openings of the sleeve component or the horizontal axis are designed as elongated holes running in the circumferential direction and thus allow limited pivoting movement of the platform.

It is also provided that the receptacle has at least one ball catch, and the locking pin is provided with groove sections defining the blocking position and the loose position, the ball catch cooperating with the corresponding groove section to anchor the locking pin in the blocking or loose position.

• - die Plattform einen elektromotorischen Antrieb aufweist, mittels dessen der Rollator antreibbar ist,
• - die Inbetriebnahme des elektromotorischen Antriebs nur bei in Sperrstellung befindlichen Sperrelement möglich ist.

In order to ensure driving safety, it is provided that

• - the platform has an electric motor drive, by means of which the rollator can be driven,
• - the start-up of the electric motor drive is only possible when the locking element is in the locked position.

• 1: ein erfindungsgemäßer Rollator mit nachlaufender Plattform,
• 2: die Darstellung gemäß 1 mit nachlaufender Plattform in Lagerstellung,
• 3: ein Kopplungselement zwischen Rollator und Plattform mit Sperrstift in Losstellung,
• 4: die Darstellung gemäß 3 mit Sperrstift in Sperrstellung
• 5: ein alternatives Kopplungselement zwischen Rollator und Plattform mit Motor und Getriebe zum elektrischen Anheben der Plattform.

Further advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment. Show it:

• 1 : a rollator according to the invention with a trailing platform,
• 2 : the representation according to 1 with trailing platform in storage position,
• 3 : a coupling element between rollator and platform with locking pin in the loose position,
• 4th : the representation according to 3 with locking pin in locking position
• 5 : an alternative coupling element between the rollator and the platform with a motor and gearbox for electrical lifting of the platform.

In the figures, a rollator according to the invention is denoted overall by the reference number 10 Mistake.

The rollator is in its entirety in the 1 and 2 shown and comprises a generally designated 11 frame. The frame includes two rearward-facing struts 12th . On every strut 12th is a rear wheel 13 a pair of rear wheels struck. The frame carries the forward front in the direction of travel 11 two front wheels 14th of a pair of front wheels. The front wheels 14th are pivoted on the frame to enable the rollator to turn. The rear wheels 13 do not pivot and are rigid with the frame 11 connected.

On handle bars 15th with handles 16 the user supports himself with a forward movement with the rollator 10 from. One the pursuit 12th connecting horizontal axis 17th is with bells 18th on the struts 12th set. It is used to arrange a total with 30th designated, trailing or trailing platform.

The platform 30th has a platform wheel 31 , which is provided with an electric drive to the rollator 10 to move forward in the direction of travel. In order to further simplify use by a person with reduced mobility, the platform provides 30th a standing area 32 to disposal. A person with reduced mobility can stand on it using the handles 16 and is supported by the electrically powered rollator 10 moved without any effort.

The platform 30th is about a total with 40 designated coupling device on the horizontal axis 17th arranged.

2 shows the rollator 10 according to 1 . Here, along a vertical plane that is not further identified, a section was made through the representation according to FIG 1 placed.

The apparent difference too 1 consists in the arrangement of the platform 30th . This is around the physical horizontal axis 17th pivoted upwards by about 90 degrees and is located opposite the 1 shown use position here in storage position. The horizontal axis 17th forms a total with 19th designated swivel joint. This will be discussed below.

As described above, the basically advantageous, pivotable arrangement of the platform 30th on the rollator frame 11 In a few driving situations, especially when driving over higher obstacles, this can be disadvantageous because the rollator will turn over 10 threatens to the rear.

In order to prevent this, the invention proposes a locking element which will now be described in a specific embodiment.

The 3 and 4th show an axial section through the in 1 with 19 designated pivot joint 19th . The swivel joint 19th is formed by a section of the horizontal axis 17th around which a sleeve component 20th is arranged. A coil spring 21st is at one end with the horizontal axis 17th and at the other end with the sleeve component 20th coupled and builds when pivoting the platform 30th from the storage position in the use position on a spring preload. This is reduced when pivoting back from the use position to the storage position and supports the pivoting movement of the platform 30th .

The sleeve component 20th has a bearing pin 22nd on which the coupling device 40 sits and which a buckling movement of the team from rollator 10 and platform 11 when cornering.

A recording 23 of the sleeve component 20th as an approximately hollow cylindrical component holds a locking pin 24 , which with axially spaced circumferential grooves 25th is provided. A ball catch 26th acts alternately with the circumferential grooves 25th together to set the locking pin in a locking position (see 4th ) or a lot ( 3 ) secure.

The horizontal axis 17th has openings 27 , also has the sleeve component 20th over with the reference number 28 provided openings. The breakthroughs 27 the horizontal axis 17th align when the platform is in use 30th with the breakthroughs 28 of the sleeve component 20th so that in the use position the locking pin 24 through the aligned openings 27 , 28 can be pushed through and so the platform 30th limited in their pivoting mobility or in the use position of the platform 30th can even be locked completely.

A certain freedom of movement of the platform 30th relative to the rollator 10 around the horizontal axis 17th however, it is desired to compensate for uneven floors. To achieve this, either the breakthroughs 27 or the breakthroughs 28 be designed as elongated holes running in the circumferential direction.

In order to additionally increase security, the in the platform has been thought of 30th integrated electric drive depending on the position of the locking pin 24 to enable or block. By means of a suitable sensor, for example a contact switch, the control signal line can be connected to the locking pin 24 interrupted in the loose position and only when the locking pin is in position 24 be released in the locked position. It is also conceivable to interrupt the main power supply between the electric motor and the power source via such a contact. This ensures that the rollator 10 can only be put into operation when the pivoting movement between the roller shutter frame 11 and platform 30th is restricted.

5 shows an axial section through an alternative swivel joint 19th . Again, the swivel joint is used 19th from a section of the horizontal axis 17th as well as a sleeve component which is arranged to be relatively movable around it 20th educated. An electric motor is rotationally fixed on the horizontal axis 50 arranged on whose output a worm shaft 51 is arranged. The worm shaft 51 forms together with a rotatable on the axis 17th mounted pinion 52 a gear, the pinion 52 via a bearing ring 53 with the coil spring already described 21st and about this with the sleeve component 20th connected is.

By means of the engine 50 can now be the worm shaft 51 drive to the sleeve component 20th relative to the horizontal axis 17th to move and thereby the on the bearing mandrel 22nd mounted platform between the in 1 position of use shown and the in 2 shown storage position to move back and forth. That from worm shaft 51 and pinion 52 Existing gear is self-locking and thus acts as a locking element in the sense of the invention, which restricts or completely prevents the pivoting movement of the platform. If the pivoting movement is only to be restricted, and if the gear unit is to form the locking element for this purpose, this can be achieved by using either the worm shaft 51 is mounted on the output shaft with axial play or the ring-shaped pinion is mounted with a certain rotational play.

However, in order to protect the gear components, the worm shaft must be supported with play 51 or the pinion 52 to avoid. To still have a certain swiveling mobility Allowing between platform and rollator in order to enable driving over uneven floors can be done with the help of the helical spring 21st Movement play to be guaranteed between the sleeve component 20th and horizontal axis 17th use.

List of reference symbols

10

Rollator

11

frame

12

strut

13

Rear wheel

14th

Front wheel

15th

Handle bar

16

Handle

17th

Horizontal axis

18th

clamp

19th

Swivel joint

20th

Sleeve component

21st

Coil spring

22nd

Bearing pin

23

admission

24

Locking pin

25th

Circumferential groove

26th

Ball catch

27

Breakthrough

28

Breakthrough

30th

platform

31

Platform wheel

32

Standing area

40

Coupling device

50

engine

51

Worm shaft

52

pinion

53

Bearing ring

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 2016002904 U1 [0002]
• DE 102007062406 B4 [0002]
• EP 451423 B1 [0002]
• DE 202017107072 U1 [0003]

Claims (12)

Rollator (10), - with a pair of wheels at the front in the direction of travel and a pair of wheels at the rear in the direction of travel, - with a frame (11) which has struts (12) directed backwards, each strut (12) having a rear wheel (13 ) holds the rear pair of wheels, - with a platform (30) which is attached to the rollator (10), has at least one wheel (31) and provides a standing surface (32) for a person using the rollator (10), - with a use position of the platform (30) in which the platform (30) rests on a floor surface with its wheel (31) trailing the frame (11), - with a storage position of the platform (30) in which the platform (30) is fixed functionlessly on the frame (11) of the rollator (10), - wherein the platform (30) relative to the frame (11) of the rollator (10) is arranged horizontally pivotable about at least one geometric axis to move between the use position and the storage position to be characterized in that - a Locking element (24) is present, which can assume a locked position and a loose position, - the locking element (24) in the locked position restricts the pivoting movement of the platform (30) so that when a person uses the standing surface of the platform (30), the rollator frame can be turned over (11) to prevent the geometric axis. Rollator after Claim 1 , characterized in that the locking element (24) in the locking position allows a limited pivoting movement to compensate for uneven floors. Rollator after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the locking element (24) in the locking position allows a restricted pivoting movement for overcoming obstacles up to the level of a curb. Rollator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (30) can be moved from the use position to the storage position by an electric motor and using a self-locking gear, the gear being as a locking element (24) in the use position of the platform (30). Rollator after Claim 2 and 4th or 3 and 4th , characterized in that at least one gear part or a connecting part between the rollator (10) and the platform (30) has a play which allows a limited pivoting movement of the platform (30). Rollator according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that - the frame (11) forms a physical horizontal axis (17) around which a sleeve component (20) is arranged, - the platform (30) is fixed to the sleeve component, - sleeve component (20) and horizontal axis (17) form a pivot bearing for the pivoting movement of the platform (31), - the locking element (24) restricts the pivoting movement by coupling the sleeve component (20) and the horizontal axis. Rollator after Claim 6 , characterized in that the locking element (24) is arranged in a receptacle (23) which locks the locking element (24) in its locked position on the one hand and in its loose position on the other. Rollator after Claim 7 . characterized in that the receptacle (23) is arranged on the sleeve component (20). Rollator after Claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the locking element is a locking pin (24) which passes through aligned openings (27, 28) of the sleeve component (20) and the horizontal axis (17) in its locking position. Rollator after Claim 9 , characterized in that the openings (27, 28) of the sleeve component (20) or the horizontal axis (17) are designed as elongated holes running in the circumferential direction and thus allow a limited pivoting movement of the platform (30). Rollator after Claim 7 and 9 , characterized in that the receptacle (23) has at least one ball catch (26), and the locking pin (24) is provided with groove sections defining the locking position and the loose position, the ball catch (26) for anchoring the locking pin (24) in the locked or unlocked position interacts with the groove sections. Rollator according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that - the platform (30) has an electric motor drive by means of which the rollator (10) can be driven, - the start-up of the electric motor drive is only possible when the locking element (24) is in the locked position.

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