EP2216006B1 - Wheeled walking aid or wheelchair for people with impaired walking ability - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a rollator or a wheelchair for handicapped persons, wherein the rollator or wheelchair front has at least one rotatable about a vertical axis arranged holder, wherein the holder shows a pivotable about a horizontal axis rocker, wherein the rocker has two rotatable wheels, in which the two wheels of the rocker are connected by a belt or chain drive, wherein the one front smaller wheel of the two wheels has a distance from the ground, wherein upon impact of the front wheel on an obstacle, the front wheel supporting part of the rocker to the the holder arranged pivot axis is pivotally upwards.

Rollators and wheelchairs are well known in the art. Such Rollatoren or wheelchairs are designed as small car, which have four wheels, the front wheels, so aligned in the direction of travel wheels are rotatably mounted about a vertical axis. These wheels are used to steer the rollator or wheelchair. At the rear end are two handles on which the person can support one hand and on the other pushes the rollator. The rollator itself can also have a seat and a small take-up for carry-on luggage. In addition, such rollators are often provided with a brake. For transport and storage, such walkers can also be collapsible.

People who rely on rollators for locomotion are very limited in their ability to keep their balance on their own. In this respect, the persons rely on the movement of the rollator on the rollator. In this case, a force is exerted in the direction of the sidewalk, ie a force with a vertical component. The consequence of this is that even overcoming small paragraphs of 2 to 3 cm becomes an almost insurmountable obstacle for such persons, since they - if they want to move the rollator on such a paragraph - must relieve the front at least some of the rollator. This can often cause enough problems with the maintenance of balance. That is, there is an interest in allowing such persons to overcome paragraphs or smaller levels without that for this purpose the load on the rollator by the persons not or at least not significantly changed.

In this respect, rollators are already known from the prior art, which should help in overcoming heels and small steps. So is out of the WO 2005/107678 A2 a walker known which has a climbing aid in the front wheels between the front wheels. The climbing aid comprises a ledge which has been bent forwards and which is connected to the frame of the rollator by a closed four-bar linkage. When hitting the curved bar on a level to now be raised by the four-bar linkage front pair and get by sliding the curved bar on the step edge or by moving the curved bar on the top of the stage of the walker with the front wheels on the stage , The problem here is that the handicapped person still has to apply a relatively high force in order to ensure that the rollator with the front pair of wheels reaches the stage, and then still overcome the frictional forces that occur when the bent bar over the edge of the step grinds.

From the DE 602 11 439 T2 is another climbing aid for rollators known in which between the two front wheels, a device is provided, which pivots when creating an obstacle between the wheels and thereby practically up the rollator. When jacked up, the handbrake should then be tightened to lower the front wheels of the rollator on the obstacle. The problem is that in this case the rollator tilts itself backwards, which affects the balance of the handicapped person. It should also be noted that this only obstacles can be overcome, which are actually over the entire width of the rollator before the rollator. Stones and bumps that are only in the way of one wheel can not be overcome hereby. Another embodiment of a climbing aid from this reference is not suitable to facilitate a handicapped person using such a rollator overcoming obstacles. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3 must be overcome to overcome the obstacle not inconsiderable frictional forces, which is not easy for these people. In addition, the rollator is swung back at the moment of the upgrade, which adversely affects the balance of the disabled person.

Furthermore, from the prior art rollators or wheelchairs are known in which two rotatable wheels are provided, wherein the front wheel of the two wheels has a distance from the ground. The two wheels are connected by a belt drive with each other, wherein the belt is formed by an inclined plane, which is intended to facilitate the ascend to an obstacle. It is also known in this context that the front wheel of the two wheels has a smaller diameter than the rear wheel of the two wheels. A prior art, which shows such a device is, for example, from JP 11091304 , of the NL 8900128 . JP 59-188421 or even from the JP 08225001 known. The effort required to overcome an obstacle, even an obstacle of only a few centimeters height, however, is still significant with this state of the art, which is partly because the front part of the rollator or wheelchair with the rear, larger wheel only on the obstacle stand up before any further effort is required to push the walker or wheelchair first with the front part of the obstacle.

In the JP 2001-88507 A the swingarm of a wheelchair or rollator is shown, wherein the rocker has a frame and a subframe, wherein the subframe pivoted within the frame is stored. The subframe accommodates a front smaller wheel and a rear larger wheel. The axis of the front smaller wheel in this case supports in a slot of the frame, wherein the slot extends in the vertical direction. The axis of the rear larger wheel is stored in an oval of the frame, so that the subframe folds backwards.

From the JP 2001-047807 A the front running part of a rollator or wheelchair is known, wherein the running part has a frame with three wheels, wherein the axis of rotation of the middle of the three wheels is below the axis of rotation of the other two adjacent wheels. That is, the wheels are spaced from the ground on both sides of the center wheel.

• Trifft das vordere Rad auf ein Hindernis im Bereich der durch den Riemen gebildeten Schräge, muss der Rollstuhl weiter geschoben werden, bis die Schwinge mit ihrer Schwenkachse über der Kante des Hindernisses liegt. Alsdann verschwenkt die Schwinge entgegen der Kraft der Feder, wobei hierbei der Rollstuhl nach vorn und nach unten abtaucht. Um die Feder in ihre Ausgangsposition zu bringen, müsste nunmehr der Rollstuhl im vorderen Bereich wesentlich entlastet werden. Damit die Feder nachher unter dem Gesamtgewicht nicht wieder ausgelenkt wird und das Laufwerk nicht mit beiden Rädern auf dem Boden aufliegt, muss die Feder entweder extrem stark sein, oder die Schwinge muss fixiert werden. Eine Fixierung der Schwinge ist nicht vorgesehen, d. h., es bleibt nur der Einsatz einer äußerst stabilen Feder, was wiederum den Aufstieg auf ein Hindernis erschwert bis unmöglich macht, weil der Kraftaufwand für die Überwindung der Kraft der Feder sehr hoch ist. Auch ist das Abtauchen eines Rollstuhls beim Überwinden des Hindernisses, wie oben beschrieben, gefährlich, da die Person im Rollstuhl herauskippen kann, bei einem Rollator bestünde die Gefahr, dass die Person am Rollator das Gleichgewicht verliert und vornüber fällt.

From the JP 63-127627 It is known to make the unit of front and rear wheels, which are connected by a belt drive with each other pivotally as a rocker. The process of overcoming the obstacle is as follows:

• If the front wheel hits an obstacle in the area of the slope formed by the belt, the wheelchair must be pushed further until the rocker with its pivot axis lies over the edge of the obstacle. Then the rocker pivots against the force of the spring, in which case the wheelchair dips forward and down. In order to bring the spring to its starting position, the wheelchair in the front area would now have to be substantially relieved. So that the spring is not deflected again below the total weight and the drive does not rest on the ground with both wheels, the spring must either be extremely strong, or the swingarm must be fixed. A fixation of the rocker is not provided, that is, it remains only the use of a extremely stable spring, which in turn makes the rise to an obstacle difficult to impossible, because the force required to overcome the force of the spring is very high. Also, the descent of a wheelchair when overcoming the obstacle, as described above, dangerous because the person in the wheelchair can tip over, with a walker there is a risk that the person on the rollator loses his balance and falls forward.

A rollator of the type mentioned is from the JP 2003-94906 known. Here, a main and an auxiliary frame is provided, wherein the main frame receives the subframe pivotally. The subframe itself is supported by a spring relative to the main frame, the subframe further comprising two successively arranged wheels, a third larger wheel being disposed at the rear end of the rocker, the axis of rotation of the rear wheel being supported in the main frame. also forms the pivot axis for the subframe.

A rollator or wheelchair of the type mentioned, which requires a small force to overcome obstacles, according to the invention is characterized in that the horizontal pivot axis of the rocker in the use state of the rollator between the two wheels and below the axis of rotation of the larger diameter wheel of the two Wheels is arranged.

Through the combination of both features, so both by the arrangement of the pivot axis and by the upward pivoting of the rocker, the rollator or wheelchair rises slowly in the bow area when approaching an obstacle. Here, the rollator or wheelchair receives a force component on the rear wheels, d. h., the front wheels are somewhat relieved, which makes it much easier to overcome the obstacle. If now the pivot axis of the rocker is located above the point of application of force or shortly behind it, the rocker pivots back into its starting position without the rollator or wheelchair dipping forward. The folding back of the rocker in the starting position is carried out solely by gravity around the pivot axis, wherein the rear wheel describes a circular arc upwards.

Advantageous features emerge from the subclaims.

In this context, it is provided that the holder has a stop, wherein on the rocker means, for. B. a screw is provided, which cooperates with the stop. As already explained elsewhere, the distance between the front wheel and the ground is adjustable. This is done with the help of the screw and the stop. Because this allows the angular position of the rocker and thus the distance of the front wheel are changed to the ground. That is, by the stop a pivoting of the front wheel of the rocker is prevented in the direction of the ground, but a swinging possible and, as explained, when crossing an obstacle is also desirable.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that the wheels have a circumferential groove for the belt or chain drive, wherein the belt advantageously rests in the groove of the wheels so that the belt protrudes beyond the lateral surface of the wheel, which ultimately means that the wheel runs on the belt. However, it has been shown that the wear of the belt is still limited, since belts, for example in the form of V-belts, are extremely stable. This ensures that on the one hand the barrel is damped, and on the other hand, because of the small footprint, which is formed by the width of the belt, the steering movement is less resistive. In principle, however, is a training in which the belt or chain does not protrude beyond the groove.

According to a further feature of the invention, the rocker is formed with two rocker blades, wherein the wheels are rotatably mounted between the two rocker blades. This results in an increased stability of the device as a whole.

Figur 1

zeigt schematisch den Rollator in einer Seitenansicht;

Figur 2

zeigt schematisch eine Ansicht von vorne;

Figur 3

zeigt die Einzelheit X aus Figur 1 in vergrößerter Darstellung;

Figur 4

zeigt die Einzelheit gemäß Figur 3 in einer Ansicht von vorne;

Figuren 5a-d

zeigen den Ablauf bei Auflaufen und Überfahren eines Hindernisses durch den Rollator.

Reference to the drawings, the invention with reference to a rollator is exemplified below, without the invention being limited to a rollator.

FIG. 1

shows schematically the rollator in a side view;

FIG. 2

schematically shows a front view;

FIG. 3

shows the detail X FIG. 1 in an enlarged view;

FIG. 4

shows the detail according to FIG. 3 in a view from the front;

FIGS. 5a-d

show the process when running and passing over an obstacle by the rollator.

The generally designated 1 rollator comprises the frame 2, wherein the frame 2 has a rear pair of wheels 3 and two front wings 4, which are connected by a cross member 5. The frame 1 also has a braking device 7, which acts on the rear pair of wheels 3.

Disclosed is the training of the rocker 4, as in FIG. 3 is shown. The frame 2 receives the holder 10, wherein the holder 10 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis 11 on the frame of the rollator. The holder 10 in turn receives the rocker 4, wherein the rocker 4 composed of two mutually parallel rocker blades 4a, between which the two wheels 15 and 16 are rotatably mounted in the rocker. Here, the larger wheel 15 of the two wheels on the wheel axle 15a, while the front smaller wheel 16 has the wheel axle 16a. The rocker 4 is connected by the pivot axis 4b with the U-shaped holder 10. The two wheels 15, 16 have on their outer circumferential periphery a groove 19, 20, in which the belt 25 is guided. Here, the belt drive is advantageous about the peripheral surface of the wheel, so that the belt drive has always ground contact both in the front and in the rear wheel 15, 16.

In addition, shows the one leg 10a of the U-shaped bracket a stop 27, wherein on one rocker blade an adjustable screw 30 is provided which cooperates with the stop 27 such that thereby the angular position of the rocker is adjustable. This means that in this way the distance of the smaller front wheel 16 is variable to the ground. This insofar as that by pressing the screw, the front smaller wheel in the direction of the double arrow 35 is adjustable, but as the lower position of the front wheel has a predetermined distance by the stop to the ground. In principle, however, is also conceivable to make the two wheels the same size in diameter; It is essential that the front wheel is at a distance from the ground.

• Wird sich mit dem Rollator z. B. in einer Wohnung bewegt, so sind die gegebenenfalls zu überwindenden Bodenkanten lediglich 1 bis 2 cm hoch. Durch die Schraube 30 in Verbindung mit dem Anschlag 27 kann das vordere Rad 16 mit dem Riemen insofern auf den entsprechenden Abstand zum Boden eingestellt werden. Erreicht nunmehr das vordere Rad 16 ein Hindernis, so läuft das kleinere Rad 16 zunächst einmal auf das Hindernis auf. In dem Moment, wo das Hindernis, z. B. ein Absatz, in den Zwischenbereich zwischen den beiden Rädern 15, 16 gelangt, wird hierbei der Riementrieb über den Absatz bewegt, ohne dass irgendwelche Reibung im Spiel ist. Der Riemen wird in jedem Fall entweder durch das vordere Rad 16 oder durch das hintere Rad 15 angetrieben, selbst wenn sich eines der beiden Räder in der Luft befinden sollte, weshalb der Riementrieb 25 immer an der Vorwärtsbewegung aktiv beteiligt ist. Des Weiteren gilt Folgendes:
  • Der Ablauf des Anstiegs des vorderen Radpaares auf ein Hindernis wird anhand der Bildfolge gemäß Figur 5 nachstehend näher erläutert. Bei der Darstellung gemäß der Figur 5a erkennt man relativ deutlich den Abstand des vorderen kleineren Rades zum Boden. Dieser beträgt in der Darstellung ungefähr 3 cm im Bereich der Drehachse dieses Rades. Erkennbar ist ebenfalls der Anschlag 27, 30, der in Fahrtrichtung gesehen hinter dem Halter 10 für die Schwinge angeordnet ist. Trifft das vordere, kleinere Rad 16 nunmehr auf das Hindernis auf, so verschwenkt sich die Schwinge um die Schwenkachse 4b nach oben in Richtung des Pfeils 35 (Fig. 5b, Fig. 5c.). Die Verschwenkung der Schwinge in Richtung des Pfeils 35 hält an, bis sich die Kante des Hindernisses etwa im Bereich der Schwenkachse 4b der Schwinge 4 befindet. Hierbei steigt der Bug des Rollators auf. Alsdann klappt die Schwinge in ihre Ausgangsposition zurück, wie in Figur 5d dargestellt. Das Zurückklappen in die Ausgangsposition erfolgt, ohne dass hierbei der Rollstuhl oder Rollator nach oben kippt, wie dies beim Stand der Technik gemäß der abgehandelten japanischen Patentschrift der Fall ist. Dies deshalb, weil das Zurückkippen in die Ausgangsposition dann stattfindet, wenn das hintere Rad bereits auf dem Hindernis aufsteht. Das heißt, das hintere Rad dreht sich beim Zurückklappen in die Ausgangsstellung der Schwinge um die eigene Achse. Hieraus wird auch deutlich, dass die Person, die in dem Rollstuhl sitzt oder den Rollator führt, nicht merkt, dass die Schwinge mit dem vorderen Rad nach unten, d. h. in Richtung Boden, verschwenkt.

The operation is briefly as follows:

• Will with the rollator z. B. moves in an apartment, so the optionally to be overcome bottom edges are only 1 to 2 cm high. By the screw 30 in conjunction with the stop 27, the front wheel 16 can be adjusted so far with the belt to the appropriate distance to the ground. If the front wheel 16 now reaches an obstacle, then the smaller wheel 16 initially runs on the obstacle once. The moment the obstacle, z. As a paragraph, in the intermediate region between the two wheels 15, 16, in this case the belt drive is moved over the heel, without any friction is in play. The belt will either be through the front Wheel 16 or driven by the rear wheel 15, even if one of the two wheels should be in the air, which is why the belt drive 25 is always actively involved in the forward movement. Furthermore, the following applies:
  • The sequence of the rise of the front wheel pair on an obstacle is determined by the image sequence according to FIG. 5 explained in more detail below. In the representation according to the FIG. 5a you can see relatively clearly the distance of the front smaller wheel to the ground. This is in the representation about 3 cm in the region of the axis of rotation of this wheel. Visible is also the stop 27, 30, which is arranged behind the holder 10 for the rocker seen in the direction of travel. If the front, smaller wheel 16 hits the obstacle now, the rocker pivots about the pivot axis 4b upward in the direction of the arrow 35 (FIG. Fig. 5b, Fig. 5c .). The pivoting of the rocker in the direction of the arrow 35 continues until the edge of the obstacle is approximately in the region of the pivot axis 4b of the rocker 4. This raises the bow of the rollator. Then the rocker folds back to its starting position, as in FIG. 5d shown. The folding back into the starting position takes place without the wheelchair or rollator tilting upwards, as is the case in the prior art according to the Japanese patent specification. This is because the tilting back to the starting position takes place when the rear wheel already stands up on the obstacle. That is, the rear wheel rotates when folding back into the starting position of the rocker about its own axis. From this it is also clear that the person sitting in the wheelchair or the walker does not notice that the rocker with the front wheel down, ie in the direction of the ground, pivots.

The overcoming of obstacles happens so far essentially without much effort, since the distance from the ground to the pivot axis 4b is very low, since this is below the axis of rotation of both wheels in the use of the rollator. The force for pivoting is further reduced by the fact that the distance X from the center of the pivot axis 4b to the center of the rotation axis 15a of the wheel 15 is smaller than the distance Y from the pivot axis 4b to the axis of rotation 16a of the wheel 16. The construction found a considerable relief for handicapped persons in overcoming even larger obstacles.

That is, the advantage of the invention consists in the interaction of the inclined plane formed by the belt drive with the two advantageously different sized wheels, the arrangement of the pivot axis 4b of the rocker 4 below the axis of rotation of at least the front wheel and in particular the selected distances X and Y from the axis of rotation of the wheels to the center of the pivot axis and the pivoting movement of the front wheel of the rocker up when hitting an obstacle. This geometry provides ease in overcoming obstacles that the prior art does not offer.

Claims (3)

1. A rollator or wheel chair for individuals with walking disability, with the rollator or wheel chair comprising at least a holder (10) in front arranged rotatably around a vertical axis, with the holder (10) comprising a rocker (4) pivoting around a horizontal pivot axis, with the rocker (4) comprising two rotatable wheels (15,16), with the two wheels of the rocker being connected by a belt or chain drive, with the smaller front wheel of the two wheels having a distance to the ground, with the part of the rocker (4), which carries the front wheel, being pivotable towards the top around the horizontal pivot axis (4b) arranged on the holder (10), when the front wheel strikes an obstacle,
   characterized in
   that the horizontal pivot axis (4b) of the rocker (4) in the state of use of the rollator or wheel chair is arranged between the two wheels and below the axis of rotation (15a) of the wheel with larger diameter of the two wheels.
2. The rollator or wheel chair according to claim 1,
   characterized in
   that a distance (X) between the center of the axis of rotation (15a) of the wheel (15) with larger diameter to the center of the horizontal pivot axis (4b) of the rocker (4) is smaller than a distance (Y) between the center of the horizontal pivot axis (4b) of the rocker (4) to the center of the axis of rotation (16a) of the smaller wheel (16).
3. The rollator or wheel chair according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the holder (10) comprises an abutment (27), with a means (30) being provided on the rocker for modification of the distance of the smaller front wheel (16) to the ground which cooperates with the abutment on the holder (10).

Images