DE102019121133A1 - Movement device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a movement device (1) having a frame (10) with at least three wheels (19, 23), at least one wheel (23) being designed as a swivel castor (23) to be rotatable about its vertical axis (C). The movement device (1) is characterized in that the frame (10) is designed to be open on one side.

Description

The present invention relates to a movement device according to claim 1.

It is known that temporary as well as permanent restrictions in motor skills and physique can often lead to a reduction in individual mobility in people. Particularly with increasing age, the people affected usually complain about the loss of self-determined action, which can be traced back to those developing deficits in motor skills and physique. Therefore, various walking aids are known which are intended to support the affected people in their individual mobility.

So-called walking frames or walking frames are referred to as support frames which are inherently fixed and usually have three to four contact points. A person can usually support himself essentially from above on such a walking frame. A seat for the user can be provided between the handles for support. To move or to walk, the walking frame must be lifted by the person and placed back on the ground in the desired direction of movement. This necessity of continuously moving such walking frames can make it difficult for the user to bridge even small obstacles. Therefore, such walking frames are not suitable for overcoming distances in the outdoor area and only for overcoming comparatively short distances. Walking frames and walking frames are therefore only used in the interior, which is why the German statutory health insurance companies also classify them as "walking aids for the interior".

As a further development of such walking frames and walking frames, a walking frame provided with wheels is usually referred to as a walking carriage. Due to its wheels, the mobile walking frame of a walker does not have to be lifted when walking, but the walker can be pushed by the user on the ground. In this way, a walker can stabilize the user both when standing and while walking and thus prevent the risk of falling and support the user in his mobility. The German statutory health insurance companies also classify walkers as “walking aids for the interior”.

The term rollator continues to refer to walking trolleys that are explicitly suitable for outdoor use. To bridge small obstacles and to overcome medium distances, these have larger wheels than walkers for indoor use.

Walkers generally have a frame with up to four wheels as support points. Two handles on the upper end of the frame can be grasped by the user with one hand each to support himself on the walker and to push the walker in the desired direction. In order to increase the safe stand of the frame of the walker when the user is sitting, standing and propping up despite the use of wheels, levers for locking at least two wheels are usually provided. Likewise to increase the stability, the support points of the frame are usually arranged as a trapezoid. The distance between the two front wheels parallel to one another is less than the distance between the rear wheels. Generally, the front wheels of the walker are designed as swivel castors and the rear wheels as rigid fixed castors. Assembled as a frame with three rollers, a walker or a walker is also known as a delta wheel or delta walker. The Delta bicycle is equipped with just one swivel castor as a single front wheel; furthermore, the delta wheelchair also has two rear wheels of the frame designed as rigid fixed castors.

A swiveling roller around a vertical axis of rotation is referred to as a steering roller, which can independently align itself in the direction of movement of the walker supported by it. The vertical axis of rotation is in an offset, the caster, to the swivel castor, which is dragged along as a result. If the direction of movement of the walker supported by the castor changes, the castor initially rotates radially around the vertical axis of rotation in the new direction of movement in order to then describe the corrected direction of movement corresponding to the frame. A walker equipped with castors can thus be aligned and moved by the user in the desired direction of movement. It is not necessary to lift the frame. Thus, the use of castors ensures the maneuverability required for the walking aid, such as turning on the spot or on the spot.

The disadvantage here, however, is that the use of castors in favor of maneuverability in common walkers such as rollators can negatively affect straight-line stability, especially at speeds greater than walking speed and especially when driving comparable to a running wheel. Thus, through the use of castors in such walkers, especially when moving at speeds greater than At walking speed, there is a risk that at least one swivel castor will orient itself differently up to transverse to the direction of movement, which can lead to the stroller tipping over and the user falling. Therefore, the use of common trailing castors on walkers is only possible if the user only pushes the walker at a sufficiently low walking or pushing speed so that the castors can be aligned in the direction of movement.

Although the usability of walkers in the indoor and outdoor area is basically achieved, improvements are continuously described. These concern various aspects of the functionality of walkers such as the improved lane keeping properties of walkers. So describes the DE 10 2004 036 864 A1 a trolley for pushing by hand, in particular a walking aid trolley, with four wheels rotatably mounted in wheel forks, of which the front wheels and / or the rear wheels with their wheel forks are each rotatably mounted about a vertical axis of rotation on the carriage frame, the wheel forks of the front wheels and or or the wheel forks of the rear wheels are friction-coupled to one another. In this way, a parallel alignment of the castors with one another can be achieved, which can prevent a twisting of a castor, in particular when there is no ground contact, for example when moving on unpaved paths and small obstacles. However, since this cannot rule out the possibility that both castors will be positioned at an angle or transverse to the direction of movement, the walker is also the DE 10 2004 036 864 A1 only suitable for walking or pushing at low walking pace, but not suitable for the higher speeds of driving, which can be the same as using a running bike.

The DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 describes a rollator with handles for steering, with several wheels and with a battery-powered electric drive, the rear wheels lying on an imaginary axis and spaced from one another in order to create a free space in the area of the rear frame. The rollator is designed as a three-wheeled vehicle with one front wheel and two rear wheels. The front wheel can be swiveled with handles via a handlebar and has a wheel hub motor. In the area of the rear wheels, two running boards are formed in the free space, which can be individually pivoted into the free space opposite one another. A foldable seat bar can be folded forward to free up the space and make the running boards usable. When folded back, the free space can be covered by the seat frame. In electrically powered driving mode, the user can either sit on the seat bar or stand on the running boards.

The disadvantage of the device is DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 that this device is actually an electric three-wheeled scooter and not a walker, since it cannot be used in walking or pushing mode as with the walkers described above due to the construction of the frame and the steering. The steering, which is designed for driving operation, also results in a very limited maneuverability compared to the walking carts described above, which corresponds more to the maneuverability of a tricycle than a walker. Since a tricycle requires a comparatively large turning circle due to its design, a tricycle is like the device of the DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 not suitable for use on the walker. In particular, the device of the DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 cannot be turned on the spot by the user, as is usual with walkers, or aligned and pushed in all directions from a standing position. This is what makes a walker and its function which supports the mobility of the user and is absent from the device of the DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 construction-related.

Another disadvantage of the known walkers and the device of the DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 that these always have a so-called step-through. The step-through is a term used in bicycle frame construction and describes the height of the down tube of the frame and thus the barrier that connects the front part of the bike with its rear part in the direction of travel and which the user overcomes when getting on and off the bike got to. Although an attempt is made in the case of walkers to keep the possibly existing access in the construction of muscle-powered vehicles for physically handicapped people to a minimum, such an access generally exists due to the design. Exceeding this step-through often represents a relevant or insurmountable barrier for the addressed user group of physically and motor-impaired people, which can make it difficult or even exclude the use of the vehicle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a movement device of the type described at the outset, the use of which can be simplified and / or made more comfortable. In particular, climbing through the movement device should be avoided. Additionally or alternatively, the movement device should be able to be used both for walking or pushing operation and for driving operation. In particular, both in walking or pushing operation as well as in Driving operation a safe maneuvering, steering or alignment for the user are made possible. Additionally or alternatively, a movement device is to be created which can be used both inside and outside and / or both over short distances and over medium to long distances. At least an alternative to known such movement devices is to be created.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a movement device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

The present invention thus relates to a movement device with a frame with at least three wheels, at least one wheel being designed as a swivel castor to be rotatable about its vertical axis. The vertical axis of the vehicle-fixed coordinate system is understood as the vertical axis of a vehicle such as a movement device. The vertical axis can also be referred to as the yaw axis or also as the vertical axis. The movement device can also be referred to as a means of locomotion.

The movement device is characterized in that the frame is designed to be open on one side.

The invention is based on the knowledge that running bikes, bicycles, tricycles and comparable movement devices, which are suitable for driving and in particular for overcoming medium to large distances, usually have a so-called step-through as described above, which is at least suitable for people with physically and motor-impaired Mobility can be a hindrance or even exclude the use of such a movement device.

According to the invention, the frame of the movement device is therefore designed in such a way that it is open on one side. In this way the user can enter the movement device from the side of the open frame without having to step over part of the frame. For this purpose, the frame can in particular be C-shaped in order to connect a front part of the movement device to a rear part of the movement device in the longitudinal direction on the side opposite the entrance in the transverse direction. The front part of the movement device can have a control unit and at least one front wheel, which can in particular be the already mentioned steering roller. Two swivel castors can also be used as front wheels. The rear part of the movement device can have a seat and at least one rear wheel, which can preferably be designed as a fixed castor. In this way, the use of the movement device according to the invention can be facilitated or made possible in particular for people for whom a known so-called step-through can be a hindrance.

Preferably, the front part and the rear part of the movement device are releasably non-positively and / or positively connected to each other, so that the two parts are separated from each other or pivoted and / or moved relative to each other, for example for loading and transporting the movement device can. This enables the user to reduce the volume of the movement device in at least two parts or when it is folded and / or pushed together, which can be advantageous, for example, for loading into the trunk of a passenger car.

In the case of a separable frame of the movement device, in this way the side of an entry, as described above, can preferably also be adapted to the needs or wishes of the user in the transverse direction between right or left. A modular adaptation of at least one part of the movement device, preferably the rear part of the movement device, to single-track or two-track operation of the corresponding part of the movement device can also preferably be carried out. For this purpose, the frame of the movement device can also be designed to be separable, foldable and / or slidable in more than two parts in the longitudinal direction and / or viewed in the transverse direction.

According to one aspect of the invention, the movement device has a control element which is designed to be operated by a user with at least one hand and to be rotated about its vertical axis relative to the frame, wherein the movement device is designed to have the control element fixed to the frame in a sliding mode to connect and to let the swivel castor rotate independently of the control about its vertical axis and in a driving mode to let the control rotate relative to the frame about its vertical axis and to align the control the swivel castor to its vertical axis.

A pushing operation is to be understood as the movement of the movement device by a user in which the movement device is pushed or pushed away from him by the user while the user touches the ground with at least one foot. The push mode can also be referred to as walking mode. A pushing or walking mode of the movement device corresponds to the known use of a walker or a rollator. A separate steering technology such as a steering head steering, a swivel axle steering or a stub axle steering for changing the direction of the movement device comparable to a running bike, bicycle, tricycle and the like can be dispensed with in pushing mode. In particular, such a steering option can be a hindrance in pushing operation, since it can for example prevent turning on the spot as with a classic walker or walker through the steering.

Driving operation is to be understood as a type of movement in which the user drives the movement device by pushing his feet on the floor and thus at least briefly lifts both feet off the ground. For this purpose, the user can support himself on the frame and in particular on the control element and / or sit on a seat element such as a saddle. In other words, a driving operation is to be understood as the movement of the movement device, such as, for example, in the case of a running bike through the muscular strength of the user. If necessary an additional drive, in particular an electric drive, as will be described further below, can be used to support or generate the driving force during driving.

This aspect of the invention is based on the idea that the use of at least one swivel castor is essential for the use of a movement device, such as a walker or rollator as described above, in order to give the user maneuverability to enable the movement device on the spot as well as from a standing position in any direction. Such mobility or maneuverability of such a movement device is necessary so that the movement device can offer the user the desired support in movement, as in the case of a known walker or rollator.

However, in order to be able to use the movement device not only for movement in walking or pushing mode at a correspondingly low walking speed and thus usually over short distances, the movement device according to the invention also enables driving operation. In this way, even medium and large distances can be overcome when driving, for example when used as a running bike, especially outdoors. Since it is a hindrance or even dangerous for driving, as described at the beginning, to maintain the usual rotational mobility of the castor as with a walker or walker, the at least one castor can be steered by the user in the driving mode as with a tricycle and the like become. If the movement device is operated in a manner comparable to the intended use of a running wheel, phases or moments in which both feet of the user do not necessarily remain on the ground can occur during driving. Since the propulsion at these moments is not directly caused by a force introduced by the user, the walker cannot be effectively steered by the user in this state with freely rotating castors. Rather, in this situation a steering system such as a steering head steering, a swivel axle steering or a stub axle steering comparable to a wheel, bicycle, tricycle and the like is required.

In other words, the movement device is designed to allow the castor to rotate freely around its vertical axis in the pushing or walking mode in order to maintain the maneuverability of a walker or rollator. At the same time, the control element, which can in particular be designed as a handlebar, can be fixedly connected to the frame of the movement device in this state in order to be used for pushing and aligning the frame, as is usual with a walker or walker. In the driving mode, on the other hand, the fixed coupling of the control element with respect to the frame can be canceled, so that the control element can act like a handlebar on a balance bike, bicycle or tricycle. In this state, the swivel castor can be coupled to the control element at the same time in such a way that the swivel castor can be moved along with the control element and aligned about its vertical axis. In this way, for the driving operation, which corresponds to the use of a running bike, bicycle or tricycle, the control element and the swivel castor can be appropriately configured and rotatably coupled to one another. This makes it possible according to the invention to use the movement device both in pushing or walking operation such as a walker or rollator including the corresponding maneuverability and stability and, as well as in driving operation, a faster movement and movement over greater distances comparable to a running bike, bicycle or vehicle. Enable tricycle.

For example, by using the movement device while driving, a user can cover a distance, for example to the next baker, comparable to a walking bike, which can be more comfortable and faster than moving at walking pace. Once there, the user can use the movement device while walking or pushing, comparable to a known one Use a walker or walker to be able to move within the bakery shop with the appropriate maneuverability.

The fixing or releasing of the relative mobility of the control element with respect to the frame and of the steering roller with respect to the control element, which is necessary for this, can be made possible by various mechanical and / or mechatronic solutions. For example, these connections between the elements can be established or canceled by actuating actuators or mechanical traction means, which can be made in particular by the user by operating or actuating the movement device, for example on the control element. As a result, diverse possibilities can be created for implementing the functionalities according to the invention described above on the movement device and using the corresponding properties and advantages as described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frame has a control element receptacle which is fixedly connected to the frame, and the control element has a control shaft which is rotatably connected to the control element receptacle around the vertical axis of the control element, the movement device being formed in which Pushing operation to prevent the rotational mobility of the control shaft about its vertical axis relative to the control element receptacle and to allow the rotational mobility of the control shaft about its vertical axis relative to the control element receptacle in the driving mode.

The control shaft can form an extension of the link of the control element along the vertical axis down to the at least one swivel castor. For this purpose, the control shaft can be rotatably received by a corresponding frame part and, in particular, can be rotatably supported. If the rotational mobility of the control shaft around its vertical axis with respect to the control element receptacle of the frame is permitted while driving, the handlebars or the control element can be operated by the user as with a tricycle or bicycle and the like. If this rotational mobility is prevented, the handlebar or the control element can be used like the handle of a walker or rollator. The rotational mobility can be allowed or prevented, for example, via a form-fitting and / or force-fitting connection, which can be implemented, for example, by braking elements or form-fitting interventions with one another, as will be described in more detail below by way of example.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frame, preferably the control element receptacle, has a mounting element which is fixedly connected to the frame, preferably to the control element receptacle, and the control element, preferably the control shaft, has a connecting element which at least in the circumferential direction the vertical axis of the control element is fixedly connected to the control element, preferably to the control shaft, the mounting element and the connecting element being designed so that the connecting element can be fixedly held by the mounting element in the pushing mode and the connecting element can be released by the mounting element in the driving mode .

Such a connecting element can be used to establish a releasable non-positive and / or form-locking connection with respect to a mounting element, which can be a fixed component of the frame, which prevents relative mobility of the connecting element and thus of the control element in relation to the frame in pushing operation and in driving operation can allow. In this way, the corresponding connection can be established and canceled in a simple mechanical manner, which, as described above, can lead to a distinction between a push mode and a drive mode.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the retaining element has at least one recess and the connecting element has at least one projection corresponding to the recess of the retaining element, or vice versa, which are designed to be brought into congruence with one another in the sliding mode, so that the connecting element is positively locked by the Holding element is held stationary, and to be displaced from one another in the driving operation, so that the connecting element is released from the holding element.

As a result, the previously described connection between the connecting element and the mounting element of the frame can be established or canceled again by a form fit. This can represent a particularly simple way of allowing or preventing the corresponding relative mobility. The relative movement suitable for this between the positions of the connecting element with respect to the holding element in pushing operation or in driving operation can preferably take place via a movement of the connecting element along the vertical axis of the control element.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the connecting element has a through opening for receiving a control shaft of the control element, the control shaft having at least one recess along the vertical axis of the control element and the through opening of the connecting element having at least one projection corresponding to the recess in the control shaft, or vice versa, which is formed are to enable a guided relative movement of the connecting element with respect to the control shaft along the vertical axis of the control element.

In this way, the previously described relative mobility of the connecting element with respect to the control element can be implemented along its vertical axis. At the same time, relative movement of the connecting element with respect to the control element in the circumferential direction to its vertical axis can be prevented, so that the connecting element and its recess or projection, which is used for positive engagement with the holding element, as described above, can be made possible in the circumferential direction. In particular, the connecting element can be aligned by steering the control element in the circumferential direction of its vertical axis.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has a cable unit which is at least essentially arranged on the control element and designed to be operated by the user by means of a cable lever and a connecting element of the control element between a position of pushing operation and a position of driving operation move.

Such a cable unit can also be referred to as a Bowden cable, as is known from bicycles and the like. By using such a cable pull unit, the connecting element can be moved in a simple manner, in particular at least essentially along the vertical axis of the control element, in order to move the connecting element between a position of pushing operation and a position of driving operation. This movement can take place in one direction by the user by actuating the cable lever of the cable unit. In the opposite direction, the mobility of the connecting element can at least be made possible by the user by releasing the cable lever of the cable unit. The actuation of the cable lever of the cable unit by the user can transmit the user's force directly via a cable, as will be explained in more detail below. Alternatively, actuation of a switch or the like on the handlebar by the user can also cause an actuator to produce such an effect.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the cable unit has a cable, which is connected with its one end to transmit tensile force to the cable lever and with its opposite end to transmit tensile force to the connecting element, so that by actuating the cable lever, the connecting element is moved from the push mode position to the of driving, or vice versa, can be pulled.

In this way, as described above, the connecting element can be pulled from at least one position into the other by means of a cable pull. In the opposite direction, at least a release and release of this movement can take place.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one spring element, preferably a tension spring or a compression spring, which is designed and arranged to push the connecting element from driving mode to pushing mode, or vice versa, against the direction of the tensile force of the cable pull unit.

By means of such a spring element, a restoring force can be exerted on the connecting element, which can act against the direction of the tensile force of the cable pull unit. In this way, through the combination of cable unit and spring element, the connecting element can be pulled back and forth or pressed by the user between the push mode position and the drive mode position by actuating the cable unit and thus switched between the two positions. This enables a mechanically simple implementation of switching between the two positions or operating modes of the push mode and the driving mode of the movement device.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one transmission element which is rotatably connected to the control element, preferably with its control shaft, and in a force-transmitting manner around the vertical axis of the control element, and in a force-transmitting manner with at least one steering roller, the transmission element being designed in the pushing mode of to be released by the control element, preferably by the control shaft, and held in the driving mode by the control element, preferably by the control shaft.

Due to the rotational mobility of the transmission element relative to the control element around its vertical axis, the Movement device the desired maneuverability of the castor can be guaranteed, since the transmission element and thus the castor cannot be hindered in their rotational mobility by the fixed control element. If, on the other hand, the transmission element is fixedly connected to the control element during driving, the control element can exert a steering effect on the steering roller by means of the transmission element, so that in this operating mode the steering roller can be operated like the wheel of a bicycle, a tricycle and the like. In this way, the steering capability of the movement device which is required in driving operation due to the speed can be made possible.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the transmission element has at least one recess and the connecting element has at least one transmission element-side projection corresponding to the recess of the transmission element, or vice versa, which are designed to be offset from one another in the sliding mode so that the transmission element is released from the connecting element , and to be brought into congruence with one another in the driving mode, so that the transmission element is held in a fixed manner by the connecting element in a form-fitting manner.

In this way, a form-fitting hold between the transmission element and the connecting element can be achieved during driving, in order to be able to transmit the steering effect of the control element from the connecting element to the transmission element. Correspondingly, in the position of the connecting element in pushing operation, this positive connection can be canceled so that the transmission element and thus the steering roller can rotate freely in pushing operation and unaffected by the control element. The form-fitting hold can preferably be assumed and removed along the vertical axis of the control element.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one pair of steering rollers which are jointly or each connected to the transmission element in a force-transmitting manner by at least one force transmission means, preferably by a belt, particularly preferably by a toothed belt.

By using a pair of castors, which are preferably arranged laterally offset from one another in the transverse direction of the movement devices, the stability of the movement device can be increased both in pushing mode, comparable to a known walker or walker, as well as in driving mode. To connect the two swivel castors together or individually by a force transmission means to the transmission element can enable the necessary steering capability of the movement devices during driving. In the push mode, this connection can be harmless to the mobility or the maneuverability of the movement device, since this only allows the two steering rollers to be synchronized to one another via the power transmission means and the transmission element of the control element. This can even improve the mobility or maneuverability in pushing operation.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one seat element, preferably at least one seat shell and / or at least one saddle, which is designed and arranged so that the user can sit on the seat element and operate the control element.

This can make it possible for the movement device to be used by the user in a seated position, in particular when driving. In particular, this can enable the movement device to be used as a running wheel for the user. This means that medium to large distances can be covered more comfortably and comfortably by the user.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one drive unit, preferably at least one electric drive unit, which is designed to drive at least one of the wheels, preferably at least one fixed castor.

Such a drive unit, which can preferably be used in the area of the rear part of the movement device to drive a rear wheel, can save the user the need to use the movement device as a running wheel and instead provide the drive force required for driving or a drive torque required for driving put. This can preferably take place via an electric drive unit including the use of a rechargeable power storage device in the form of an accumulator.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one brake unit, which is arranged at least substantially on the control element and is designed to be operated by the user and to brake at least one wheel.

A braking unit known from bicycles, tricycles and the like can be used as the braking unit are used, which can act accordingly on at least one wheel, such as in particular a front wheel, of the movement device. For this purpose, the brake unit can be designed as a cable with Bowden cable, as is known and customary for bicycles and the like. In this way, the user can be provided with a simple and reliable way of reducing and stopping the speed of the movement device if necessary. A movement of the movement device can also be ruled out by the user at a standstill by actuating the brake, which can promote the stability of the movement device.

• 1 eine perspektivische schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Bewegungsvorrichtung für einen Schiebe- und Fahrbetrieb;
• 2 eine perspektivische schematische Darstellung der Lenkrollen mit Zahnriemen;
• 3 eine seitliche schematische Darstellung einer Lenkrolle;
• 4 eine perspektivische schematische Darstellung einer Lenkrolle;
• 5 eine seitliche schematische Detailansicht des unteren Endes des Steuerschafts des Steuerelements in der Stellung des Schiebebetriebs;
• 6 eine seitliche schematische Detailansicht des unteren Endes des Steuerschafts des Steuerelements in der Stellung des Fahrbetriebs;
• 7 eine perspektivische schematische Darstellung des unteren Endes des Steuerschafts des Steuerelements mit Verbindungselement;
• 8 eine seitliche schematische Darstellung des unteren Endes des Steuerschafts des Steuerelements an sich;
• 9 eine schematische Draufsicht auf das Verbindungselement an sich; und
• 10 eine seitliche schematische Detailansicht der 9.

An exemplary embodiment and further advantages of the invention are explained below in connection with the following figures. It shows:

• 1 a perspective schematic representation of a movement device according to the invention for a pushing and driving operation;
• 2 a perspective schematic representation of the castors with toothed belts;
• 3 a lateral schematic representation of a steering roller;
• 4th a perspective schematic representation of a castor;
• 5 a side schematic detailed view of the lower end of the control shaft of the control element in the position of the push mode;
• 6th a side schematic detailed view of the lower end of the control shaft of the control element in the position of the driving mode;
• 7th a perspective schematic representation of the lower end of the control shaft of the control element with connecting element;
• 8th a side schematic representation of the lower end of the control shaft of the control element itself;
• 9 a schematic plan view of the connecting element itself; and
• 10 a side schematic detailed view of the 9 .

The above figures are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. It extends in a longitudinal direction X which also called depth X or as length X can be designated. Perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X extends in a transverse direction Y which also called width Y can be designated. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X as well as to the transverse direction Y extends in a vertical direction Z which also called height Z can be designated. The longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal X , Y which is also called the horizontal plane X , Y can be designated. Geometric information, which relates to the vertical axes B. , C. are given in cylindrical coordinates.

The movement device according to the invention 1 for pushing and driving has a frame 10 on, which is also used as a frame 10 can be designated. The frame 10 points in the longitudinal direction X front one in the transverse direction Y running axle tube 11 on which in the transverse direction Y a fork tube at both ends 12 having. The two fork tubes 12 are each fixed with the axle tube 11 connected and extending substantially in the vertical direction Z . Every fork tube 12 points in the vertical direction Z at its upper and lower end a bearing 12a on which as a ball bearing 12a or as a roller bearing 12a can be realized. In each of the two fork tubes 12 becomes a steerer tube 2 recorded which one from the camps 12a around a respective vertical axis C. is rotatably mounted. Every steerer tube 2 points in the vertical direction Z in the area below the lower bearing 12a of the corresponding fork tube 12 a toothed belt pulley 20th which is formed closed in the circumferential direction. Each of the timing belt pulleys 20th has a toothing radially outwards 21st on. In the vertical direction Z each steerer tube faces down 2 a front wheel mount 22nd on, which is also called a front fork 22nd can be designated. Any front wheel mount 22nd carries a swivel castor 23 which accordingly also as a front wheel 23 can be designated.

In the transverse direction Y in the middle of the axle tube 11 assigns this to a control pickup 13 on, which also works as a head tube 13 can be designated. In the control recording 13 becomes a control 3 in the form of a handlebar 3 around its vertical axis B. rotatably mounted recorded. The control 3 points in the vertical direction Z in the upper area one essentially in the transverse direction Y and at the end in the longitudinal direction X running steering arm 30th on, as it is known from bicycles, tricycles and the like. The two ends of the steering arm 30th each have a handle 31 on, which can be grasped by a user with one hand in each case to the steering arm 30th and with it the handlebars 3 to operate or around the movement device 1 to direct as well as to align.

The steering arm 30th is about a stem 33 with one in the vertical direction Z ongoing taxation 34 connected which in the vertical direction Z in its lower part about two in the vertical direction Z Staggered bearings 13a with the control mount 13 of the axle tube 11 around the vertical axis B. is rotatably connected, which is also called ball-bearing 13a or as a roller bearing 13a can be realized. In the vertical direction Z Taxpayer ends below 34 with a transmission element 38 in the form of a toothed belt pulley 38 . The toothed belt pulley 38 is via one power transmission device each 4th in the form of a belt 4th , which as a toothed belt 4th is formed with each of the two previously described fork shafts 2 connected. The two toothed belts are for this purpose 4th in the vertical direction Z arranged one above the other and each surround a toothed belt pulley 20th one of the fork shafts 2 . The timing belt 4th has a toothing for this purpose 40 on which one with the gearing 21st of the respective toothed belt pulley 20th corresponds.

The circumference and the number of teeth preferably correspond to the toothed belt pulley 38 of taxation 34 the circumference and number of teeth of the toothed belt pulleys 20th of the fork shafts 2 or is a multiple thereof, such as 2: 1 or 3: 1, etc. This can prevent the rotation of the castors 23 around their respective vertical axis C. in pushing operation to a twisting of the handlebars 3 can lead. The relationship 2 : 1 of the circumference and number of teeth on the toothed belt pulley 38 of taxation 34 to circumference and the number of teeth of the timing belt pulleys 20th of the fork shafts 2 can make this possible particularly effectively and at the same time simply.

The one in the user's line of sight or in the direction of movement A. or in the forward direction A. the movement device 1 right handle 31 of the handlebar 3 has a cable unit 32 on, which also as a Bowden cable unit 32 can be designated. A cable bracket 32a the cable unit 32 , which can also be used as a bowden cable holder 32a can be designated, is on the handle 31 fixed mounted. The user or the handle 31 facing the cable unit 32 a cable lever 32b on, which is also used as a Bowden cable lever 32b can be designated. The cable lever 32b is with a cable 32c or with a Bowden cable 32c connected, which is through the cable bracket 32a through, on the opposite side of the cable unit 32 out and down to in the vertical direction Z lower end of the tax shaft 34 extends. This end of the cable pull 32c is there via a cable intake 37c of a connecting element 37 connected to this, as will be explained in more detail below.

If a brake is used, the corresponding brake unit (not shown) could also be on the right handle 31 of the handlebar 3 be arranged; the cable unit 32 could then on the left handle 31 of the handlebar 3 be arranged. There could also be two brakes on the Bowden cable unit via a Bowden cable switch 32 operated to both front wheels 23 to be able to brake together. If necessary can also lock at least one of the front wheels 23 and preferably both front wheels 23 take place together.

The frame 10 settles lengthways X on the right-hand side viewed from the driver or operator in the form of a connecting pipe 14th to the rear; this would alternatively also be possible on the left-hand side as viewed from the driver or operator. To the connecting pipe 14th closes a seat tube 15th of the frame 10 which is in the cross direction Y is aligned and parallel to the axle tube 11 extends. The seat tube has 15th but only about half the length of the axle tube 11 and thus ends in the transverse direction Y roughly in the middle of the movement device 1 . There goes the seat tube 15th in the vertical direction Z up into a seat post mount 15a about what a seat post 16 a seat element 17th in the form of a saddle 17th records. The seat post 17th can opposite the seat post mount 15a in the vertical direction Z can be adjusted and fastened at different heights, so that a seat height of the saddle 17th for the user, as is known for bicycles, tricycles and the like, can be adjusted continuously. In the vertical direction Z the seat post mount goes down 15a in a rear wheel mount 18th over, which is also called a rear fork 18th can be designated. From the rear wheel mount 18th becomes a fixed role 19th in the form of a rear wheel 19th recorded; alternatively, two rear wheels could also be used.

The one-sided frame construction according to the invention, which the user in the transverse direction Y a completely barrier-free entry to the movement device from the side 1 allows, can avoid the otherwise known with bicycles, tricycles and the like access. This can be done using the movement device according to the invention 1 for people with severe physical and motor impairments, or even enable them in the first place.

In the vertical direction Z in the lower part of the handlebar 3 According to the invention, a mechanism is designed which enables the user to use the cable pull unit described above 32 the movement device 1 to switch between pushing or walking at walking pace and driving at higher speeds. This is done in the vertical direction Z at the bottom of the control mount 13 a support element 35 of the head tube 13 arranged, which also as a fixing plate 35 of the head tube 13 can be designated. The fixing plate 35 is fixed with the head tube 13 and thus fixed with the axle tube 11 or with the frame 10 connected. In the vertical direction Z the fixing plate has on its underside 35 two Recesses 35a which is radially equidistant to the vertical axis B. are spaced apart and with respect to the vertical axis B. diametrically opposite.

The already mentioned connecting element 37 , which with the cable 32c connected can also be used as a clutch disc 37 are designated. The clutch disc 37 has a through opening 37a on, which in its dimensions essentially correspond to the external geometry of the control shaft 34 corresponds to that of the taxpayer 34 through the through opening 37a can be passed through, see for example 7th . The taxpayer 34 has two recesses in this area 34a or grooves 34a on which is in the vertical direction Z or along its vertical axis B. extend upward enough from the lower end of the control stem to permit guided movement of the clutch disc 37 towards the taxpayer 34 as will be described below. The two grooves 34a lie diametrically opposite each other with respect to the vertical axis B. across from. To the two grooves 34a The through opening has correspondingly of the control shaft 37a of the connecting element 37 two protrusions 37b on, which extends radially inward into the through opening 37a extend. The two protrusions 37b the passage opening 37a of the connecting element 37 are thereby of the two grooves 34a of taxation 34 added so that the fastener 37 as a clutch sheath 37 in the circumferential direction around the vertical axis B. of the handlebar 3 not towards the taxpayer 34 twist, but along the vertical axis B. relative to taxation 34 can be moved, see for example 5 to 7th .

The clutch disc 37 points in the vertical direction Z on its upper side two projections on the holder element side 37d on, see for example 6th , 7th and 9 . Also the two projections on the holder element side 37d lie diametrically at the same radial distance with respect to the vertical axis B. of the handlebar 3 across from. In the vertical direction Z on the opposite downward facing side of the clutch disc 37 this has two transmission element-side projections 37e which are also diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the vertical axis B. are arranged opposite at the same radial distance, see for example 5 , 7th and 10 . On the part of the toothed belt pulley 38 are two corresponding recesses 38a provided which the transmission element-side projections 37c the clutch disc 37 can record, see for example 6th . In the vertical direction Z along the vertical axis B. is also a spring element 36 in the form of a compression spring 36 between the underside of the support element 35 of the head tube 13 and the top of the clutch disc 37 arranged, see for example 6th . The toothed belt pulley 38 is also by at least one ball bearing 38b around the vertical axis B. the handlebar rotatably mounted.

The cable 32c is arranged and designed in such a way that the cable lever 32b is in the released state when the clutch disc 37 from the compression spring 36 along the vertical axis B. in the vertical direction Z is pressed down. In this state, the two projections on the transmission element side engage 37e the clutch disc 37 with appropriate alignment of the handlebar 3 or the clutch disc 37 in the circumferential direction to the vertical axis B. into the corresponding recesses 38a the toothed belt pulley 38 a, see for example 6th . In this state, the retaining element-side projections are 37d the clutch disc 37 along the vertical axis B. at the same time to the corresponding recesses 35a the fixing plate 35 spaced so that no contact between the clutch disc 37 and the fixing plate 35 consists. In contrast, there is a form-fitting hold between the clutch disc 37 and the toothed belt pulley 38 present in this state, so that the otherwise given free rotation of the toothed belt pulley 38 towards the taxpayer 34 around its vertical axis 3 is prevented.

As the clutch disc 37 due to the engagement of their projections 37b their passage opening 37a in the grooves 34a of the tax base around the vertical axis B. has no rotational mobility and at the same time in this state with the toothed belt pulley 38 connected, the toothed belt pulley can 38 in this state not about the vertical axis B. opposite the handlebars 3 move. Rather, the toothed belt pulley is 38 from the handlebar 3 aligned. This steering movement is made via the toothed belt 4th simultaneously on the two fork shafts 2 and thus on the two swivel castors 23 transfer. In this state, the castors can be steered 23 as front wheels 23 the movement device 1 through the handlebars 3 take place, which can be carried out by the user as with a bicycle or tricycle. This state of steering the movement device 1 can thus be used by the user to control the movement device 1 to be used while driving. In this driving mode, the movement device 1 like a balance bike from the feet of the user who is on the saddle 17th sits, be used. Alternatively, an electric drive (not shown) can be used for the desired speed in the direction of movement A. to care.

Now becomes the cable lever 32b the cable unit 32 by the user with his hand on the handle 31 operated, so is the cable 32c the Clutch disc 37 in the vertical direction Z or along the vertical axis B. up to the fixing plate 35 attracted. This is done as a guided movement as the clutch disc 37 from the protrusions 37b their passage opening 37a in the grooves 34a of taxation 34 along the vertical axis B. to be led. This is done by the user through the cable 32c the force of the compression spring 36 overcome so that the cable lever 32b the user must hold on to this position of the clutch disc 37 to maintain. The clutch disc 37 now engages with their projections on the mounting element side 37d into the corresponding recesses 35a the fixing disc 35 one, including a certain one-time steering movement of the handlebar 3 may be required to the retaining element-side projections 37d the clutch disc 37 with the corresponding recesses 35a the fixer plate 35 in the circumferential direction to the vertical axis B. to take cover. The form fit then established between the clutch disc 37 and the fixing plate 35 leads to the steering of the handlebars being blocked 3 as the fixing plate 35 fixed with the head tube 13 or the axle tube 11 connected is. This allows the handlebar 3 how the grip area of a walker or rollator can be used, as the handlebars 3 in this state fixed with the frame 10 connected is.

At the same time, the clutch disc is in contact 37 to the toothed belt pulley 38 lifted so that the timing belt pulley 38 by means of their ball bearings 38b freely around the vertical axis B. is movable. This free rotation can be achieved by the toothed belt pulley 38 about the timing belt 4th on the timing belt pulleys 20th of the fork shafts 2 and thus on the castors 23 are transferred, so that this is true via the toothed belt 4th are synchronized to each other in alignment, but are freely movable like a walker or rollator. In this way, the movement device 1 can be used in this position for walking or pushing operation like a known walker or walker.

List of reference symbols

A.

Direction of movement; Forward direction

B.

Control's vertical axis 3

C.

Vertical axes of the swivel castors 23

X

Longitudinal direction; Depth; length

Y

Transverse direction; width

Z

vertical direction; height

X, Y

Horizontal; horizontal plane

1

Movement device for pushing and driving

10

Frame; frame

11

Axle tube

12

Fork tubes

12a

Bearings (ball bearings, roller bearings) of the fork tubes 12

13

Control element mount; Head tube

13a

Bearings (ball bearings, roller bearings) of the head tube 13

14th

Connecting pipe

15th

Seat tube

15a

Seat post holder of the seat tube 15th

16

Seat post

17th

Seat element; saddle

18th

Rear wheel mount; Rear fork

19th

Fixed castor; Rear wheels

2

Steerer tube

20th

Toothed belt pulley

21st

Toothing of the toothed belt pulley 20th

22nd

Front wheel mount; Front fork

23

Swivel castors; Front wheels

3

Control; Handlebars

30th

Steering handle

31

Handles

32

Cable unit; Bowden cable unit

32a

Cable bracket; Bowden cable holder

32b

Cable lever; Bowden cable lever

32c

Cable; Bowden cable

33

Stem

34

Taxation

34a

Recesses or grooves in the control shaft 34

35

Retaining element of the head tube 13 ; Fixing plate of the head tube 13

35a

Recesses in the mounting element 35

36

Spring element; Compression spring

37

Connecting element; Clutch disc

37a

Through opening of the connecting element 37

37b

Projections of the through opening 38a of the connecting element 37

37c

Cable receptacles of the connecting element 37

37d

holder element-side projections of the connecting element 37

37e

Transmission element-side projections of the connecting element 37

38

Transmission element; Toothed belt pulley

38a

Recesses in the transmission element 38

38b

Ball bearing of the transmission element 38

4th

Power transmission means; Belt; Timing belt

40

Toothing of the toothed belt 4th

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 102004036864 A1 [0009]
• DE 202017000074 U1 [0010, 0011, 0012]

Claims (15)

Movement device (1) with a frame (10) with at least three wheels (19, 23), at least one wheel (23) being designed as a swivel castor (23) to be rotatable about its vertical axis (C), characterized in that the frame (10 ) is designed to be open on one side. Movement device (1) after Claim 1 , characterized by a control element (3) which is designed to be operated by a user with at least one hand and to be rotated about its vertical axis (B) with respect to the frame (10), the movement device (1) being designed in a pushing mode to connect the control element (3) to the frame (10) in a fixed manner and to let the castor (23) rotate around its vertical axis (C) independently of the control element (3) and the control element (3) relative to the frame in a driving mode (10) to rotate around its vertical axis (B) and the control element (3) to align the castor (23) around its vertical axis (C). Movement device (1) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the frame (10) has a control element receptacle (13) which is fixedly connected to the frame (10), and the control element (3) has a control shaft (34) which extends around the vertical axis (B) of the control element (3) is rotatably connected to the control element receptacle (13), the movement device (1) being designed to prevent the control shaft (34) from rotating about its vertical axis (B) relative to the control element receptacle (13) in the sliding mode and in the driving mode the rotational mobility of the control shaft (34) around its vertical axis (B) with respect to the control element receptacle (13). Movement device (1) after Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the frame (10), preferably the control element receptacle (13), has a mounting element (35) which is fixedly connected to the frame (10), preferably to the control element receptacle (13), and the control element (3 ), preferably the control shaft (34), has a connecting element (37) which is fixedly connected to the control element (3), preferably to the control shaft (34), at least in the circumferential direction of the vertical axis (B) of the control element (3), wherein the holding element (35) and the connecting element (37) are designed so that the connecting element (37) is held stationary by the holding element (35) in the pushing mode and the connecting element (37) is released from the holding element (35) in the driving mode can. Movement device (1) after Claim 4 , characterized in that the retaining element (35) has at least one recess (35a) and the connecting element (37) has at least one projection (37d) corresponding to the recess (35a) of the retaining element (35), or vice versa, which are formed in to be brought into congruence with one another during pushing operation, so that the connecting element (37) is held in a fixed position by the holding element (35) in a form-fitting manner, and to be offset from one another during driving operation, so that the connecting element (37) is released from the holding element (35) becomes. Movement device (1) after Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the connecting element (37) has a through opening (37a) for receiving a control shaft (34) of the control element (3), the control shaft (34) along the vertical axis (B) of the control element (3) at least one recess ( 34a) and the through opening (37a) of the connecting element (37) has at least one projection (37b) corresponding to the recess (34a) of the control shaft (34), or vice versa, which are designed to allow a guided relative movement of the connecting element (37) with respect to the To enable control shaft (34) along the vertical axis (B) of the control element (3). Movement device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cable unit (32) which is arranged at least substantially on the control element (3) and is designed to be operated by the user by means of a cable lever (32b) and a connecting element (37) of the control element (3) to move between a position of the push mode and a position of the driving mode. Movement device (1) after Claim 7 , characterized in that the cable pull unit (32) has a cable pull (32c), which is connected with its one end to transmit tensile force to the cable lever (32b) and with its opposite end to transmit tensile force to the connecting element (37), so that by actuating the cable lever (32b) the connecting element (37) from the position of the Pushing operation can be pulled into the position of driving operation, or vice versa. Movement device (1) after Claim 8 , characterized by at least one spring element (36), preferably a tension spring or a compression spring (36), which is designed and arranged, the connecting element (37) against the direction of the tensile force of the cable unit (32) from driving mode to pushing mode, or vice versa to press. Movement device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one transmission element (38) which is rotatable about the vertical axis (B) of the control element (3) with the control element (3), preferably with its control shaft (34), and also transmits force with at least one swivel castor (23) is connected, the transmission element (38) being designed to be released by the control element (3), preferably by the control shaft (34), in the pushing mode, and preferably by the control element (3) in the driving mode by the tax authority (34) to be held. Movement device (1) after Claim 10 , characterized in that the transmission element (38) has at least one recess (38a) and the connecting element (37) has at least one projection (37e) on the transmission element side corresponding to the recess (38a) of the transmission element (38), or vice versa, which are formed in to be offset from one another during pushing operation, so that the transmission element (38) is released from the connecting element (37), and to be brought into congruence with one another during driving operation, so that the transmission element (38) is positively held by the connecting element (37) becomes. Movement device (1) after Claim 10 or 11 , characterized by at least one pair of steering rollers (23) which are jointly or in each case force-transmitting connected to the transmission element (38) by at least one force transmission means (4), preferably by a belt (4), particularly preferably by a toothed belt (4) . Movement device (1) one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one seat element (17), preferably at least one seat shell and / or at least one saddle (17) which is designed and arranged so that the user can sit on the seat element (17) and the control element (3) can operate. Movement device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one drive unit, preferably at least one electric drive unit, which is designed to drive at least one of the wheels (19, 23), preferably at least one fixed castor (19). Movement device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one brake unit which is arranged at least essentially on the control element (3) and is designed to be operated by the user and to brake at least one wheel (19, 23).

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