EP1364634A2 - Coupling device for driving means for a wheelchair by pushing or in case of a corporal or motorized propulsion of the leading wheechair this is moved behind by pulling action - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is a board wedged horizontally between two cross-direction boards and mounted on a king pin acting as a rotation shaft. In order to transmit push/pull forces, the device is joined by two bolts to the left and right end tubes of a wheelchair, load chair or shopping chair frame, the end tubes being used to restrict backwards tilting of the chair. The end of the board is provided with at least one wheel or roller which can be fixed in position, or rotated to the left or right through ca. 90 deg, or rotated through 360 deg. Two bores extending in the board length direction are located on the board central axis and used to receive the king pin.

Description

Device for coupling a scooter unit to a wheelchair vehicle for the purpose of pushing or, in the event that the front Wheelchair vehicle by physical or motor power is driven, this leads behind by traction

The invention relates to the connection of vehicle and aggregate through a flat cross. The cross is made up of board shapes, the longitudinal axis at the head end connected by two bolts pliers-like boards is passed through. The pliers-like boards in turn are made with two internal bolts at about 10 cm from the floor, in the longitudinal axis of a wheelchair support bars located pressed together. The middle bolt, called King Pin here, leaves the subsequent longitudinal part of the cross between the planking boards around the kingpin Carry out swiveling movements. At the rear end of the longitudinal board there is a wheel or a roller or several wheels. The the side rails enclose cross boards arranged like a clamp with fist-like hollows. The side rails of the folding chair are in the area the boards are covered with rubber tubes the width of the boards so that sufficiently stabilizing crimp connections with the one to be adjusted Board unit result. There is also the entire team the desired elasticity in the longitudinal axis, even with shear movements, and a certain level of suspension comfort.

The arrangement of the connection at the lower tube ends of the folding chair is chosen so that when a person or a load is on the

Longitudinal board of the following cross is located, this if possible is adjusted so that the vehicle ultimately ends up with the two large wheels and the final wheel or roller or double wheel of subsequent unit results in at least one three-point bearing. ever the wider the contact surface is, for example due to several wheel systems, the more the stabilization can be increased as desired. That alone simplest variant, in which there is only one wheel at the end a completely sufficient stability, if by a proper one Squeezing the flat boards against the clamped board Tipping moment is secured, on the other hand enough play remains to the longitudinal mobility of the trailing longitudinal board through the King Get Pin.

The subsequent wheel or similar construction is made in the manner mounted that the longitudinal board gets the lowest possible floor height in order easy entry by one person (or loading loads that only have to be balanced with a slight difference in height) enable with the highest sense of security and actual security.

The principle of the invention is the simplest, most cost-effective and safest method to use, about one in a folding wheelchair disabled person from a second person with a flanged To be accompanied by the scooter system. Can also be in a wheelchair-like Carries loads (e.g. shopping goods) from an accompanying person transported with a flanged scooter system.

Both the pulling vehicle (e.g. with Modor or human power) as the coupled scooter can alternate or in unison Human power or electric motor support or others motor power at the end of the scooter move the entire team.

By simply unlocking the king pin, the longitudinal board in the Push the longitudinal plane forward through the folding chair until the scooter footprint has completely disappeared and the wheel unit at the back of the rear wall about the disabled elevator. This allows the Accompanying person either pushing himself or using an operating unit the electromotive force of the unit or the entire team to operate. The overall team is now shortened so that it also in a narrow area, such as in a department store or elevator, can be operated by pushing force or electrical force. In In this case, the end wheel is provided with a lock, which in the long Condition forces the end wheel in the stable longitudinal direction, but in the short Condition the routing of the team around a free-swinging end wheel ensures. A selective turning in a confined space is possible.

There is a holder for the drive battery above the end wheel and above that a seating unit that enables the accompanying person to also sit in the rolling position to take a resting position. Depending on the physical The companion's constitution is the roller effect with both left and right leg possible for the whole unit, and even with a fully loaded folding wheelchair of £ 140 and £ 200 on the following scooter width it is amazing how easy it is move the entire team - familiar to everyone from childhood - easily and lets steer. Here, the handlebars of the wheelchair are used as steering used. In the case of a motorized drive, an additional handlebar is used the handlebars mounted on which there is a thumb potentiometer circuit located, for example on the electric motor of the rear wheel or the electric motors of the entire team. Likewise, there are one or two Bowden cables for the rear wheel or for the two front wheels on this Rod mounted.

The additional handlebar with the controls is equipped with quick-release fasteners mounted on the handlebars. If necessary, the additional handlebar quickly attached to the handlebars of the folding wheelchair so that if only one person is sitting in the folding wheelchair, they will can steer and brake entire team. Through the freely routing The wheel of the unit is the steering of the via a sensible cable system Overall team possible.

The maximum speed of the coupled unit is said to be in urban areas approx. 7 km / h increased pedestrian speed according to the regulations be limited. This enables the overall team to be absolute safe for those to be transported as well as for other pedestrians in the pedestrian area can move.

The low center of gravity, the narrow design of the folding chair (approx 60 cm) and in that for the accompanying person the large part of the Combined with a clear field of vision at slow speed (powered by an electric motor) or moving at walking speed, makes the team a helpful when used appropriately Vehicle. Thanks to the electric motor drive. it is without any effort by the accompanying person. However, if they are physically in the Is constitutional and wants to do something for her fitness, she can do that Roller effect and better thanks to the effortless change of the supporting leg than moving the entire vehicle forward on a bicycle. The overall vehicle makes a wide one for at least two people and luggage Easily accessible radius in the urban area.

Einheit 1:

Der Faltrollstuhl

Einheit 2:

Die zwei Bolzen der Klemmbretter des Kreuzes werden um soviel gelockert wie das Gesamtrollergespann, d. h. das gesamte Rollerkreuzsystem, aus dem Rollstuhl herausgezogen werden kann.

Einheit 3:

Nunmehr kann der schwere Batterieteil per Handgriff aus der Sitzfläche des Hinterrades herausgezogen werden.

The entire team can also be easily broken down into part sizes.

Unit 1:

The folding wheelchair

Unit 2:

The two bolts on the clipboard of the cross are loosened by as much as the entire scooter team, ie the entire scooter cross system, can be pulled out of the wheelchair.

Unit 3:

Now the heavy battery part can be pulled out of the seat of the rear wheel by hand.

The remaining part of the cross with the wheel can now be like a wheelbarrow if you use the two cross boards as a handle, push in front of you or pull behind you. With appropriate Size of the rear wheel (about between 20 - 30 cm) this unit can also move up or down the stairs like a shopping cart. This unit can also be stowed well in the car, as can the battery and the folding wheelchair.

If it can be foreseen that the folding wheelchair will not fold up must be, so you leave the clipboards in their position and only loosens the middle king pin. You then pull the scooter board in the manner described above and the remaining unit with or move easily anywhere without a battery according to the wheelbarrow model.

The two bolts to be released and the king pin are in elongated form, so that to solve the bolt for older No major bending movements are necessary for people. You end up each formed at the head end, in handy handles. The length will simply by tilting the backrest of the folding chair into a horizontal one Limited position. This is for the convenience of the item to be transported in the rest position and should guarantee a through-loading in the event that longer objects (boards, beams, etc.) should be transported.

The easy disassembly of the entire vehicle allows enormous Extension of the field of application. The parts can be made even in the smallest Stow vehicles. You drive the vehicle extremely close to that Location. Given the enormous difficulty of finding a parking space can be found about 0.5 or 1 km in front of the shopping street choose a parking space - most likely without fees -. There if you unfold the folding chair, the patent enforcement device leads on Wheelchair end loosely, pushes the main board into the remaining one The space between the two clipboards pulls the bolts according to the regulations , insert the king pin for the swivel movements, push the Battery under the seat and now has the option of two, in Pedestrian flow floating, electrical without any effort or with the easy-to-implement roller principle, remaining close to the ground, on a wide footprint, without any fear, such as comparable Objects with a bicycle drive, where climbing alone for the elderly Excludes people from a large circle of fellow citizens. Even the high one Emphasis on a wobbling bike with pedaling movements and feeling of insecurity just leave the invention presented here from this point of view appear completely new and superior.

The cross shape can be calculated inexpensively made of waterproof multi-layer glued wood (as is common with skaters) or run in multiplex wood. The three bolt connections, the Rubber reinforcements for the tube ends on the folding chair and that at the end of the Wood trailing wheel and with if necessary. mounted electric motor with the battery and seat above can be easily removed but realize safe execution at low cost.

Value and cost-increasing variants are possible. The cross out completely Aluminum alloy, spring and shock absorbers on the following axle of the cross, corrugated and perforated aluminum longitudinal board with Perforations in the zero line to make length adjustments of the following Easy to carry out aggregates. Seat shell version of the scooter unit with height adjustment and 10 cm anti-decubitus patent seat cushion leave a wide margin for comfort enhancement.

The inventor himself has his trial model successfully on gravel roads. and bank hiking trails tested. The load in the folding wheelchair was with 70 kg chosen on the scooter with 105 kg to ensure stability and tipping safety to secure also in curves. An electric motor served as the drive (with battery or fuel cell) with electronic control and only 160 W power. This was enough to make the team safe and move with sufficient strength.

The handlebar unit is attached to the handles of the folding wheelchair Quick release clamps connected as mentioned above. Likewise, a hollow, extendable aluminum frame on the vertical spars of the folding wheelchair connected at the level of the wheelchair rear wall. There a round arch with aluminum rods is inserted as far as possible adjustable according to the size of the accompanying person so that the view is not obstructed becomes. Going forward and backward, there is an awning-like one Linkage that unfolded to the front and back with is provided with a waterproof, impregnated fabric and one certain weather protection for the folding chair driver as for the following Scooter riders allowed. Both as rain protection as intended as sun protection. If the vehicle is parked at the destination, For example, in a shop to be visited, the linkage to be inserted by the required length so that the vehicle and the seat or the transported goods - if desired - Protected down to the ground from prying eyes, as well from pollution like dust and rain. This should also be a Represent type of on-board garage showing the vehicle and the electrical. Protects tree parts effectively when not in use for a long time.

When driving the trailer in the folded state, but in the upright position of the frame with fabric certain air resistance, but at low speeds too is neglect. The tarpaulin can be used in the 'closed garage state' at the two end points by a rear and a front padlock secure against unauthorized opening. Because enough battery power is present, an alarm stick can be positioned in the vehicle with a motion and vibration detector for unauthorized attempts to open it The alarm sounds when the passengers e.g. B. for a long time go to a restaurant or department store. You are through this arrangement optimally secured to your previously made purchases made in the Vehicles can be left undamaged upon return to be found.

The handlebar that is mounted on the existing handlebars by means of quick fasteners, also includes a height adjustment. They can also increase the torque when steering protrude laterally across the width of the team. However, it should be necessary be to pass a bottleneck, such as crossbars in the Supermarket, so you can by a light spring-proven snap be pivoted inwards by the protruding width, so that the smallest width of the team is reached.

Because of the low speed, increased walking speed in the Pedestrian area, no driving licenses are required for the team, Helmets or similar

Even in the event that an accompanying person - for whatever reason always - is unable to operate the electric motor, so it is most of the people it is possible to focus on the To put on and operate the roller board because it is with this combination has the enormous advantage over the scooter from childhood days, that no sense of balance is required. You just need to Hold the handlebar of the Roill chair with one leg on the middle of the Place boards and one with the remaining leg on the street Give a light push against the ground and the whole team glides then forward, almost as if by magic. It is the conceivably easiest implementation of the transoirt of a disabled person or a heavy load and a companion of almost any age ...

As a rule, road construction was carried out at the suspected crossing points the curbs for pedestrians and cyclists lowered so that the large wheels of the folding wheelchair without Difficulties that curb heights can overcome. In the cases but where curbs are obstacles even for big wheels, an additional unit is stabilized in the longitudinal direction, but oscillates in front the big wheels of the folding wheelchair installed. It's about a roller-shaped wheel part, which in turn seen from vome, against a soft balloon-like wheel body (I call it a ball wheel) in the Constant pressure is maintained. This two-part unit becomes floating mounted in front of the main wheels by spring balancing at a height of about 5 cm. If the ball wheel hits the curb to be overcome, then if the high spring force is overcome, the roller-shaped Body against the main wheel of the wheelchair. Now the roller-shaped Body through the forward driven main wheel after contact closure with the drive energy of the main wheel, however changed the direction of rotation. The roller body, which itself but is always in the fixed contact pressure with the ball gear, gives the Energy now on to the ball gear, but again under Change of direction of rotation. Through this construction, the covering is of the border stone is carried out comfortably, gently and forcefully. The obstacle can be overcome much more easily and comfortably be because the front ball wheel or normal tire wheel. how quasi powered by its own electric motor, the obstacle climbs and overcomes.

1. Bordsteinüberwindungskomponente (etwa dort angeflanscht, wo sich bei einem Faltstuhl die kleinen vorderen Führungsräder befinden.

2. Das kreuzarmige Schiebebrett (bestehend aus Metall, Kunststoff oder schichtenverleimte Hölzer).

3. Das am Ende angeflanschte Laufrad (oder walzenförmiger Körper oder mehrere Räder), das in Laufrichtung festgestellt werden kann oder um eine Drehachse bis auf 90° gedreht werden kann oder weitere Variante, um 360° gedreht werden kann.

4. Die leicht demontierbare Lenkstange mit den Bedienungselementen für Gasbowdenzug und Bremse.

5. Die Stangenkonstruktion mit dem Allwetterdach, die gleichzeitig verstellbar als Faltgarage und zum Diebstahlschutz gilt und welche im Bedarfsfall als einfache Steckkonstruktion aus den Führungsrollen entnommen werden kann.

The piggyback system consists of several individual components that are attached to an existing vehicle, e.g. B. folding wheelchair, can be connected to create a rolling system according to the 'piggyback philosophy' with the simplest additional elements with human or motor power, here a small electric motor, which enables an accompanying person to transport a disabled person or loads.

1. Curb overcoming component (flanged, for example, where the small front guide wheels are in a folding chair.

2. The cross-arm sliding board (consisting of metal, plastic or wood glued in layers).

3. The impeller flanged onto the end (or roller-shaped body or several wheels), which can be locked in the direction of rotation or can be rotated around an axis of rotation up to 90 ° or another variant can be rotated through 360 °.

4. The easily removable handlebar with the controls for throttle cable and brake.

5. The rod construction with the all-weather roof, which is also adjustable as a folding garage and for theft protection and which can be removed from the guide rollers as a simple plug-in construction if necessary.

reference numeral

I. King Pin = axis of rotation in roller function on the head of the long board leaves the entire scooter part around the axis of rotation swivel with a steering angle of approx. 45 °. Ideally, the total vehicle is on three Three points on the surface stored (reverse trike).

II King Pin at the end of the longitudinal board Axis of rotation of the end part of the backrest the longitudinal board pushed through the wheelchair. This makes the wheelchair a self-drive or the accompanying person guides the team by hand, running afterwards, or with electric motor (or similar) - support up the mountain .. This is also the shortest form of the team for driving on Elevator, supermarket, department store. Unity can be turn to the point and drive backwards.

1 Bolts forcing the clipboards together.
> Position on the inside of the lower wheelchair tailpipes.

2 This also stabilizes the folding chair.

Claims (6)

A device in the form of a board, horizontally by two cross boards is squeezed through and a king pin as the axis of rotation is held and the push and pull forces at the same time picks up and passes on to the left and right with two bolts clamped tailpipes of a chassis (here wheelchair or Load chair or shopping chair), which is usually reinforced with wheels to limit the tipping moment (here wheelchair etc.) to the rear. The end of the board, designed with at least one rigid Wheel or several or roller body, which can be locked or can be swiveled up to approx. 90 ° to the right and left or rotated all around is. The board in the center line, designed with two holes in the Longitudinal axis for receiving the king pin (hole no. 1) position king Pin I, the rolling board swings around King Pin I as the axis of rotation .. Hole number 2 at the end of the board. The loading capacity of the board up to rear hole of the King Pins II, approximately to the limit in height the backrest of the folding wheelchair. Here the unlockability of the rigid rear axle and its free pivotability required. The easy decoupling option of the roller unit either only through central king pin or by unlocking the two laterally arranged Bolt the clipboards to the wheelchair tailpipes. The arrangement of the lockable and pivotable at least one wheel-containing end piece of the roller board, characterized from the motor part arranged above it, from bottom to top battery, electric motor or internal combustion engine, and seating above it Curb overcoming unit instead of the usual freely swinging one small front wheel of the wheelchair (see above). The all-weather protection roof with slide-in device, height adjustment and when compressed as a lockable awning roof (see above). The additional handlebar with the controls is equipped with quick-release fasteners mounted on the handlebars. If necessary, the additional handlebar quickly attached to the handlebars of the folding wheelchair (or similar) so that if only one person is in the folding wheelchair (or similar) sits, which can steer and brake the entire team. By the The freely routing wheel of the unit is a sensible rope system Steering of the entire team possible.

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