JP2001113904A - Straight direction fixing selecting device of direction adjustable wheel for wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To fix temporarily right and left front wheels of a wheelchair with a direction adjustable mechanism only to a straight direction according to conditions of running road surface as the need arises. SOLUTION: In a prop pipe 1 for mounting front wheels in a direction adjustable structure, a coupling device capable of fixing temporarily a fork 17 having a wheel 18 with the direction adjustable mechanism only to a straight direction or canceling it is mounted. The coupling device is formed with a lower cup 4 constituted integrally with the fork 17 constituted rotatable at bottom inside the prop pipe 1, an upper cup 3 fixed to a predetermined direction to move vertically inside the prop pipe 1 for a predetermined length range in order to fix the lower cup 4 to a predetermined direction by being fitted with each other or to cancel it, and a coil spring 5 that makes a predetermined spring force. The upper cup 3 is operated by an operating mechanism comprising an arm mechanism and a lever device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheelchair directional wheel fixedly selecting device for a wheelchair, which can temporarily fix a front wheel having a freely directional function only in a straight direction as required.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The front wheel mechanism of a wheelchair has a directional function, so that the user can freely and freely select a desired course direction. The driver can easily change the direction with a single operation of the drive wheels, so that they do not feel any anxiety about selecting a course direction. In addition, even in the case of a person pushing a wheelchair, the person being assisted can push the wheelchair in the desired course direction, and the remarkable progress such as research and development aiming to add a multipurpose support function to the wheelchair itself. Therefore, it can be said that the use of wheelchairs is increasingly higher due to its practicality.

[0003] However, the convenience of the directional function of the wheelchair front wheel is effective only on a flat floor surface or a road surface. This is because even when crossing an inclined plane with a slight angle, it responds sensitively because it has a light and freely adjustable function, and the left and right front wheels are turned together in a downward slope, and it is desirable to go straight. There is a danger that running becomes unstable and running becomes unstable. For example, at a site where a sidewalk portion to be flat is cut for entry and exit of a vehicle due to an entrance of a garage or a parking lot in the middle of a sidewalk, and a predetermined slope portion is formed toward the roadway, this slope portion is An unexpected and dangerous accident in which the front wheels of a wheelchair trying to cross the road turn in a direction below the slope, and the wheelchair suddenly jumps out of the roadway against the will of the user or caregiver. Had the serious drawback of lurking.

[0004]

The problem to be solved is that, in a front wheel mechanism having a function of freely turning a wheelchair, it is possible to temporarily fix, if necessary, the function of freely turning left and right front wheels only in the straight traveling direction. There is no functional means.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a selection function means for temporarily fixing a front wheel of a wheelchair in a straight-ahead direction according to various conditions of a running road surface. And a coupling device including an upper cup and a lower cup capable of fixing or releasing the front wheel having a directional structure only in the straight traveling direction, and operating the coupling device. The most important feature is that the operation mechanism is provided on the frame pipe on which the support pipe is mounted. The desired object of being able to temporarily fix only in the straight traveling direction as required under various conditions of the traveling road surface without impairing the directional function of the left and right front wheels has been realized.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the present invention using a lock lever and an arm mechanism provided with rollers in an operating mechanism by linking the left and right front wheels having a freely adjustable function with tie rods.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory views showing a functional configuration and an operation state of a coupling device and the like provided in a support pipe on which a front wheel is mounted in a freely movable structure. FIG. 3 is an operation diagram provided on a frame pipe on which the support pipe is mounted. It is explanatory drawing which shows the function structure of a mechanism, and the state of operation. In the present invention, since the front wheel configuration of the wheelchair has the same structure as the left and right sides, the description of the other wheel, the support pipe, and the like will be omitted.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0007] The coupling device installed in the support pipe 1 fixed to the frame pipe 2 is a cup-like upper and a valley, each of which forms two large peaks and valleys whose coupling parts can intersect together. Cup 3 and lower
Cup 4 and coil spring 5 provided therebetween
It is composed of

The lower cup 4 has a bearing 1 between a bottom surface of the lower cup 4 and a bottom surface of the supporting pipe 1 which is in contact with the lower cup 4.
6 'is provided, and is fixedly connected integrally with a fork 17 with wheels 18 attached to the lower part of the support pipe 1 in a freely directional structure so that the bottom of the support pipe 1 does not disturb the predetermined function of the fork 17 with wheels 18 It is rotatable and fixed in position. Upper cup 3 has wheels 18
The lower cup 4 necessary for fixing the attached fork 17 in the straight direction is fixed in a predetermined direction,
Alternatively, in order to release the fixed state and restore the rotation function, the direction of the upper cup 3 itself in the support pipe 1 is fixed to a predetermined direction, and a predetermined stroke range in which coupling and release can be performed is set. Length guide groove 1 '
Are formed on the left and right sides of the support pipe 1 and guide pins 3 ′ to be combined with the guide grooves 1 ′ are provided on the left and right sides of the upper cup 3, so that the upper cup 3 maintains a predetermined orientation inside the support pipe 1. The required vertical movement is possible. During the ascent, the other end of the upper cup 3 projects the required vertical movement dimension from the upper end of the support pipe 1.

The coil spring 5 is provided with a required spring force between the upper cup 3 and the lower cup 4 so as to maintain a predetermined interval for making the lower cup 4 rotatable. It has been. At this time, this coil
To prevent the rotation of the lower cup 4 from being hindered by the spring force of the spring 5 and to prevent the predetermined function of the coil spring 5 itself from being impaired, the lower cup 4 is provided with a coil spring 5 side. Spring seat 6
And a bearing 16 is provided between the lower portion of the spring seat 6 and the lower cup 4.

An upper projecting from one end of the support pipe 1
The push part 7 provided on the top of the cup 3 is a shallow cup, penetrates the central part of the top of the upper cup 3, and is integrally formed with a shaft part 7 'which can move up and down and is prevented from coming off at an inner center position. By providing a coil spring 5 ′ that forms a required spring force between the top surface of the upper cup 3 and the push portion 7, the lower cup 4 when the upper cup 3 is lowered via the push portion 7 The connection operation can be surely maintained and the connection state can be maintained, and an impact or the like when the vehicle is rapidly connected due to various road surface conditions can be absorbed or reduced.

The operating mechanism includes a mechanism of an arm 8 for acting on a push portion 7 on the top of the upper cup 3 and a lock plate 1 provided on the frame pipe 2 for operating the same.
Rod 1 which constitutes the function of the claw lever 14 acting on the rod 5
0 ', coil spring 5 "and release button 1
3 and the like.

The arm 8 is rotatably attached to the frame pipe 2 by a fulcrum pin 8 ′ with the frame pipe 2 interposed therebetween.
Is attached to the tip, and the other end is freely connected to the end of the lever portion 11 of the lock lever 12 via the rod 10. The lock lever 12 has a fulcrum pin 1 sandwiching the frame pipe 2 by an integrally configured lever portion 11.
1 'is rotatably attached to the frame pipe 2 by 1'.

The device of the lock lever 12 is configured such that the roller 9 at the end of the linked arm 8 is pushed down by tilting the lock lever 12 downward, so that the lock plate 15 provided on the frame pipe 2 is pressed down. The claw portion of the claw lever 14 is caught on the lower end, and the state where the upper cup 3 is pushed down via the push part 7 pushed by the roller 9 is fixed, so that the connected state between the upper cup 3 and the lower cup 4 is maintained. It has become. When releasing, the release button 13 is pressed while slightly depressing the lock lever 12, whereby the claw portion of the claw lever 14 is disengaged from the lower end of the lock plate 15, and restoration is performed by the coil spring 5 'in the push portion 7. And the spring force of the coil spring 5 in the coupling device.

A tie rod 20 is provided at a predetermined position inside the left and right forks 17, respectively.
Are freely connected, so that the traveling directions of the left and right wheels are the same.

There is no reason why the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the selection function means for temporarily fixing the left and right front wheels of the wheelchair's directional function in the straight traveling direction under various conditions of the traveling road surface, The required functional configuration including a coupling device capable of temporarily fixing a wheel having a free-turning function only in the straight traveling direction or releasing the fixing thereof, and an operating mechanism for operating the coupling device is another. It goes without saying that the selection function for temporarily fixing the wheel in the straight traveling direction, which has the shape and configuration, may satisfy the conditions in the above-described embodiment.

[0016]

The straight-moving direction fixed selection device for a wheelchair directional wheel according to the present invention described above has the following effects.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the right and left front wheels of the directional function can be temporarily fixed only in the straight traveling direction if necessary. It is excellent in safety that can prevent instability and avoid unexpected danger accidents. Further, there is a great convenience that the temporary fixing and the release / restoration operation can be performed immediately and easily.

In the coupling device provided in the support pipe according to the second aspect, the operation of temporarily fixing the directional free-wheel attached to the lower part of the support pipe only in the straight traveling direction or releasing and restoring the wheel is smooth. It is excellent in functionality that can be ensured quickly.

The provision of the push portion provided with the spring on the top of the upper cup according to the third aspect of the present invention further enhances the functionality of the coupling device and absorbs or alleviates the shock or the like in the case of sudden coupling. Useful.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the left and right wheels having a freely movable function are linked by tie rods, and the coupling device is provided in one of the right and left support pipes. Can be simultaneously operated in the same direction.

The provision of the coupling device and the operating mechanism thereof in the left and right support pipes according to the fifth aspect is very useful in terms of wheelchair use conditions for the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an arm mechanism for operating the operating mechanism on the push portion of the top of the upper cup and a lever device for operating the operating mechanism are provided on the frame pipe for fixing the support pipe. It greatly helps to further enhance the functionality of the operation mechanism for operating the.

The provision of a roller having a rotatable structure at the arm end in contact with the push portion at the top of the upper cup according to the present invention greatly contributes to smooth pressing operation with the push portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the lever device for operating the arm mechanism is a lock lever device provided with a pawl lever mechanism or the like capable of holding a required operating state or releasing this state. The functionality is enhanced, the operability is excellent, and the convenience is great.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the arm mechanisms provided on the left and right frame pipes are linked by a rod and operated simultaneously by one lever device, which is very useful in various operating conditions for the user.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the arm mechanism provided on the left and right frame pipes is connected by a wire and the equalizer is provided in the middle thereof, so that a lever device can be provided at an arbitrary position in a wheelchair, and one lever device can be used. Since it can be operated at the same time, it is excellent in convenience for the user in various wheelchair operation conditions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of a main part such as a coupling device provided in a support pipe 1 for attaching a front wheel in a freely directional structure in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an operation state of a main part in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration and an operation state of an arm 8 and a lock lever 12 of an operation mechanism provided on a frame pipe 2 to which a support pipe 1 is fixedly attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 pillar pipe 1 'guide groove 2 frame pipe 3 upper cup 3' guide pin 4 lower cup 5, 5 ', 5 "coil spring 6 sping sheet 7 push part 7' shaft part 8 arm 8 ' 11 'Support pin 9 Roller 10, 10' Rod 11 Lever part 12 Lock lever 13 Release button 14 Claw lever 15 Lock plate 16, 16 ', 16 "Bearing 17 Fork 18 Wheel 19 Knuckle arm 20 Tie rod

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A selection function means for temporarily fixing a front wheel of a wheelchair in a straight running direction under various road surface conditions, provided in a support pipe for mounting the front wheel in a free-directional structure. A device for fixing a wheel in a straight-ahead direction for a wheelchair, comprising: a coupling device capable of fixing or releasing a wheel only in a straight traveling direction; and an operating mechanism for operating the coupling device. . 2. A coupling device provided in a support pipe is formed in a cup shape in which two large peaks and valleys are formed, each of which is capable of integrally intersecting a coupling portion, and is integrated with a directional free-wheel of a lower part of the support pipe. A lower cup connected to and rotatably formed at the bottom of the support pipe, and fixed to a predetermined direction to stop the rotation of the lower cup in a predetermined direction or to enable the rotation to be restored; And, in order to be able to configure the range of vertical movement, a guide pin is provided on the left and right sides of the support pipe to be engaged with a guide groove having a predetermined length, and an upper cup for projecting a required stroke dimension portion from the upper end of the support pipe, and A coil spring constituting a required spring force to maintain a predetermined distance between the upper cup and the lower cup without hindering the rotation of the lower cup; The straight-moving direction fixed selection device for a directional wheel for a wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized by comprising: 3. Lowering the lower cup when lowering the upper cup.
A push part that can be vertically moved and assembled to the top of the upper cup in order to ensure the coupling action with the cup, maintain this coupling state, and absorb or mitigate shocks etc. in the case of sudden coupling. 3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring for providing a required spring force between the upper portion and the upper cup portion. 4. A coupling device and an operating mechanism are provided on one of the right and left support pipes by linkage with a tie rod or the like in order to simultaneously operate the left and right front wheels having a free direction function in the same direction. 4. The device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 for fixing the directionally adjustable wheel for a wheelchair. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein a coupling device and an operation mechanism thereof are provided on each of the right and left support pipes. 6. An arm mechanism for operating the push mechanism on the top of the upper cup, and a lever device for operating the arm mechanism are provided on a frame pipe for fixing the support pipe. 2. The straight traveling direction fixed selection device for a wheelchair directional wheel according to 1. 7. The direction-fixing selection of a directional wheel for a wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein a rotatable roller is provided at an arm end of the arm mechanism, the roller being directly connected to the bush portion at the top of the upper cup. apparatus. 8. A lever device for operating an arm mechanism,
2. A lock lever device provided with a claw lever mechanism capable of maintaining a required state by being linked with an arm mechanism and being combined with a lock plate provided on a frame pipe or releasing the lock plate. Or, the straight traveling direction fixed selection device of the wheel for a wheelchair according to 6,7. 9. The arm mechanism provided on the left and right frame pipes is linked by a rod so that the coupling devices provided on the left and right support pipes are simultaneously operated by one lever device. 7. The straight-moving direction fixed selection device for a wheelchair directional wheel according to claims 7, 7, and 8. 10. An equalizer is provided in the middle of a wire connecting arm mechanisms provided on the left and right frame pipes in order to simultaneously operate the coupling devices provided on the left and right support pipes with one lever device. 9. The device according to claim 1 or 6, 7 or 8, wherein said device is a wheelchair directionally adjustable wheel.