JP2001187090A - Folding structure of wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate shortcomings such that a conventional wheelchair can be folded only to 30 cm although being foldable in the lateral direction by crossing side section frames, which are provided in a manner to separate a chair body frame to the right and the left, for the housing or the loading in the trunk of an automobile at the time of a usage, and also, the structure is complicated; and therefore, the weight is heavy, and in addition, the folding is difficult because both frames have to be folded while the seat is lifted. SOLUTION: A fulcrum rod 2 which is provided on the wheelchair body 1 of this wheelchair is attached to a supporting frame 4 through a connecting rod 3. Also, in order to keep the wheelchair body 1 and the frames 7 in parallel, a subsidiary connecting rod 6 is inserted between the fulcrum rod 2 and the supporting frame 4, and a hinge 5 is attached at respective joints to make them turnable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a folding structure for a wheelchair, which can be easily folded simply by tilting the folding wheelchair and floating one wheel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional wheelchair, a pair of left and right rotatable small-diameter front wheels and a large wheel that can be driven by a handwheel are generally arranged behind a body frame. Then, a physically handicapped person or the like sitting on a seat provided in the center of the vehicle body can move by operating a hand wheel provided on the outside of the left and right large wheels attached behind. In order to store the folding wheelchair when not in use or to load it on the trunk of a car, cross the side frame frames that are provided with the body frame separated to the left and right in a substantially X-shape and open and close. They were connected by a frame or the like and could be folded horizontally.

[0003] In addition, among the applicants, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Like the portable wheelchair of 308650, the body of the case is used as a seat and the case lid is used as a backrest during assembly,
It can be easily made into a wheelchair simply by raising the casters on both sides and the rear wheel and opening it. In addition, there has been a lightweight portable wheelchair in which when folded, the support mechanism relating to the caster and the rear wheel is tilted to the opposite side to be stacked, stored inside the case body, covered with a lid, and can be converted into a portable case.

[0004] Among the applications for which the seat cushion is good, a wheelchair named "Wheelchair" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-272158 requires that a wheelchair user such as a physically handicapped person sit comfortably for a long time. Some seats have a wheelchair that can be folded laterally so that it can be loaded into the trunk of a passenger car even if a thick cushion body is used.

[0005]

In a conventional wheelchair, a side frame provided with a body frame spaced apart left and right is substantially X-shaped so as to be stored when not in use or to be mounted on a trunk of an automobile. Then, they are connected by a cross frame or the like which can be opened and closed, and can be folded in the horizontal direction. However, since the substantially X-shaped structure was sandwiched between the side frames, it could be folded only to about 30 cm. In addition, the cross frame provided to open and close by crossing the frame in a substantially X shape has a complicated structure. Therefore, the weight became heavy. Further, when folding, the user lifts the seat and folds both frames, but it is troublesome because the hand cannot be reached without bending the hips. In addition, when they separated, they pushed down on the seats, but they also had to bend their hips, which was troublesome because the seats could not be reached.

[0006] In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
-A wheelchair with a case stored in a travel destination, such as a portable wheelchair of -308650, is convenient to carry. The case lid is used as a backrest on the seat of the case body, and the casters on both sides and the rear wheel are raised. There was a portable wheelchair that could be turned into a wheelchair simply by opening it. However, a physically handicapped person or the like cannot move on board, and a caregiver is required.

[0007] Among the patent applications for which the seat cushion is good, the wheelchair of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-272158 is known as a wheelchair. The wheelchair, whose body frame can be folded when the seat is flipped up, has a large volume when folded.

Therefore, the folding structure of the wheelchair according to the present invention has a structure in which the wheelchair having a structure that is folded substantially in a letter shape is held by holding the main body (1) and tilting the other frame (7) so as to float. (7) The side is lowered by its own weight, and the wheelchair can be easily folded by approaching. Further, the present invention provides a folding structure of a wheelchair which does not become tired even when sitting for a long time by using a thick cushion body (9).

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a folding structure for a wheelchair according to the present invention comprises a fulcrum bar (2) provided at the lowermost lowermost portion of the body (1) of the folding wheelchair.
Is attached to the support frame (4) via the connecting rod (3). A hinge (5) is attached to each joint so that the joint is rotatable. Further, in order to keep the main body (1) and the frame (7) parallel, the fulcrum rod (2) provided in the main body (1) is attached to the support frame (4) via the auxiliary connecting rod (6). Also, a hinge (5) is rotatably attached to each joint. And the seat is
A hinge (8) is attached between the seat frame (10) and the seat frame (10), and the main body (1) and the frame (7) are attached to the seat frame (10) via the rotating seat frame (11). ing. There are two cushion bodies (9) on the left and right,
The objective was achieved by being equipped with 0).

When the seat (16) is directly attached to the seat without using the seat frame (10) and the cushion body (9), the seat (16) of the seat is provided in the middle of the main body (1) and the frame (7). ) Directly serves to anchor the main body (1) and the frame (7), and a disabled person or the like can ride on it, thereby achieving the object.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The folding structure of a wheelchair according to the present invention is such that when folding, the frame (7) is held by the body (1) of the wheelchair, and the frame (7) is tilted obliquely so as to float. The weight can approach the main body (1) and can be converted to a folded state so that it can be easily stored. (See Fig. 3)
At that time, the length of the connecting rod (3) and the length of the auxiliary connecting rod (6) are the same. The distance between the hinge (5a) and the hinge (5b) of the fulcrum bar (2) provided in the main body (1) and the distance between the hinge (5c) and the hinge (5d) of the support frame (4) are also the same. Therefore, the hinge (5a) interposed between the fulcrum rod (2) and the connecting rod (3) and the hinge (5b) of the auxiliary connecting rod (6) are connected to the connecting rod (3) on the support frame (4) side. )
Hinge (5c) and the hinge (5d) of the auxiliary connecting rod (6)
Keeps a parallelogram. Therefore, when the main body (1) is kept vertical, the frame (7) supported by the parallelogram always keeps parallel and keeps vertical.

In use, the main body (1) and the frame (7), which are fully separated from each other, are kept apart, and the backrest (15) is maintained in a tensioned state. Further, the seat frame (10) is also stretched to reinforce the main body (1) and the frame (7). Therefore, when a physically handicapped person or the like sits on the seat, the hinge (8) exerts a force on the lowering part, and a force is exerted on the stopper. When approaching, the connecting rod (3) is rotated downward, so that the seat frame (1) on the frame (7) side is initially
0) diagonally lowers, then the hinge (8) lifts up a little, and when it comes closer, the seat frame (10) can be folded in two via the hinge (8).

When the seat is directly attached, the main body (1) and the frame (7), which are fully separated from each other at the time of use, are kept apart, and the seat (16) of the seat is maintained in a tensed state. And the like sits on the seat (16) of the seat, thereby deforming the seat (16) of the seat into a concave surface, the body (1) and the frame (7) tilt slightly inward, and the shape of the concave surface changes from time to time. The inclination of (1) and the frame (7) also serves as a cushion. Further, when the handicapped or the like rides on the fulcrum rod (2), the hinge (5a) acts in a downward direction, and a force is applied so as to separate the fulcrum rod and the stopper comes into pressure contact with the stopper.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The left side of the frame will be distinguished from the body (1) and the right side will be distinguished from the frame (7). (A) When the folding structure of the wheelchair of the present invention is represented by a schematic diagram viewed from the front in FIG. 3, the main body (1) and the frame (7) are most separated when a physically handicapped person or the like rides on a seat. It is fixed to. Then, when the physically handicapped person gets down from the seat, holds the wheelchair body (1), and tilts the opposite frame (7) to float, the frame (7) is on its way down by its own weight. FIG. 4 is FIG. Further, when tilted, the connecting rod (3) and the auxiliary connecting rod (6) tilt to the left as shown in FIG. 5, and the frame (7) returns to the same height as the main body (1). Therefore, when moving, pushing the wheelchair as it is makes it possible to move in a close state that has become portable.

(B) Next, when the folding structure of the seat portion is schematically shown in the front view of FIG. 3, it is attached to the frame (7) from the main body (1) via the seat frame (10). It is fixed to the most distant state where the rider rides. Then, when the physically handicapped person gets down from the seat, holds the wheelchair body (1), and tilts the opposite frame (7) to float, the frame (7) is on its way down by its own weight. FIG. 4 is FIG. As can be seen from the figure, at first, the frame (7) goes down, so the seat frame (10) on the frame (7) side goes down obliquely, and the hinge (8) rises a little later. When the seat frame (10) is further tilted, the seat frames (10) can be folded with the hinge (8) interposed therebetween as shown in FIG.

(C) As another example of use, the cushion body (9) divided into two pieces and used can be used with one cushion body (9). One cushion body (9) fixes one of the left and right sides of the seat frame (10) to one, and the hinge (8) folds the seat frame (10) when the seat frame (10) comes close to it. Since only one of them is fixed, the cushion body (9) can be maintained as it is. In addition, the cushion body (9) has a Roho cushion for the purpose of fitting to the body and stabilizing the seat. A completely independent 49 cubic prevents the skin from shifting. A cubic cushion. Excellent pressure distribution and shock absorption. For example, there is an SF cushion that can seat for a long time, radiates moisture because air flows freely, and gives an unobtrusive refreshing feeling.

(D) As can be seen from FIG. 5, the tip of the fulcrum rod (2) is about the same as the right hand ring (13). Also, the end of the support frame (4)
It is about the same as the left hand ring (13).
The mounting position of the fulcrum bar (2) provided on the main body (1) depends on the support frame (4) provided on the frame (7).
The wheelchair can be folded down to a small capacity due to the different mounting positions. At this time, in the conventional substantially X-shaped folding structure, since the folded substantially X-shaped part is sandwiched between the frames, it can be folded only to about 30 cm. However, in the case of the substantially folded shape of the present invention, the tip of the fulcrum rod (2) goes out of the frame (7), and the support frame (4) goes out of the main body (1). Therefore, it can be folded to about 20 cm.

(E) When opening the main body (1) or the frame (7) in the lateral direction when the main body (1) or the frame (7) is opened from the close folded state to the separated state, the main body (1) and the frame (7) are separated from each other. To In the wheelchair fully separated, a stopper for appropriately maintaining the angle at which the connecting rod (3) is maintained at an obtuse angle via the fulcrum rod (2) is pressed against the wheelchair. Further, the backrest (15) is in a tensioned state because it is directly attached to the main body (1) and the frame (7). At this time, since the backrest (15) moves diagonally, a material that moves diagonally, such as cloth or net, is more preferable than a sheet or the like.

(F) When the seat is directly attached, FIG.
The body (1) and the frame (7) are fulcrum rods (2)
And the connecting rod (3) are kept apart. Then, when the physically handicapped person or the like sits on the seat while the seat (16) of the seat is maintained in a tensed state, the seat sheet (16) is lowered by the weight of the physically handicapped person or the like. At the same time, the connecting rod (3) is subjected to an upward force, and the hinge (5) on the main body (1) side.
Are fixed because they act to separate them. In addition, a force is applied to the center of the lowered seat (16) in a direction to shrink the seat, and the body (1) and the frame (7) are inwardly distorted because they are directly attached. This distortion serves as a cushion, and the unevenness of the road is absorbed by the distortion of the main body (1) and the frame (7), so that the riding comfort is good.

(G) The substantially curvilinear mechanism of the present invention is substantially X-shaped.
The number of parts is smaller than that of the letter-shaped mechanism, and the number of parts is small, so that it is lightweight. Now, components that are no longer used will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, (j) in a code | symbol is the conventional abbreviation. Double pipe (2j) attached to the lower part of frame (1j), and substantially X-shaped pipe (3j) provided therein
Are the front and rear and the seat mounting part (4
j). And a substantially X-shaped tubular member (3j) and two left and right reinforcing plates (5j) for reinforcing the length of the frame (1j).
Each one became unnecessary. Therefore, the manufacturing is simple and light because no important parts of the wheelchair are used.

(H) In FIG. 1, which has not been described above,
2, 6, and 7 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folded state in which all extra parts have been removed to make it easier to understand the structure of the present invention. FIG. 2 is also a view in which all extra parts have been removed, but is a perspective view in which the parts are separated. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which all parts are mounted and a disabled person or the like can ride on the vehicle.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a folded state. As can be seen from this figure, the tip of the fulcrum rod (2) is a hand ring (8).
As far to the right. The tip of the support frame (4) is connected to the hand ring (1) on the body (1) side.
As much as 3).

[0022]

As described above, the folding structure of the wheelchair according to the present invention has the following effects. (B) It is easy to hold the wheelchair and tilt it obliquely because it can be folded naturally depending on the weight. (B) When the wheelchair is separated for use, the frame can be easily opened by pulling the frame in the lateral direction. (C) Uses a thick cushion, so you will not get tired even if you sit for a long time. (D) It is simple because it does not use the conventional substantially X-shaped folding mechanism and uses only the connecting rod and the auxiliary connecting rod. (E) Since the structure is simpler than the substantially X-shape, the number of steps can be reduced and the weight can be reduced by the number of parts that do not need to be used. (F) Although the folding mechanism having a substantially X-shape can be folded only to 30 cm in structure, the present invention can fold the volume as small as 20 cm. (G) If the seat is directly attached to the body and frame,
Riding comfort is good because shocks such as road irregularities are absorbed by left and right distortions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame in which the present invention is folded.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame in which the present invention is opened.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view seen from the front while showing the movement of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the movement of the present invention,
It is the schematic diagram seen from the front.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a wheelchair of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the wheelchair of the present invention is folded.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a frame of a conventional wheelchair viewed from behind.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wheelchair of the present invention in which a seat is directly attached to a seat.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 main body 2 fulcrum rod 3 connecting rod 4 support frame 5 hinge 6 auxiliary connecting rod 7 frame 8 hinge 9 cushion body 10 seat frame 11 rotating seat frame 12 rear wheel 13 ring 14 front wheel 15 backrest 16 seat 1j frame 2j double pipe 3j Pipe 4j Seat mounting part 5j Reinforcement plate

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A fulcrum rod (2) provided on a body (1) of a folding wheelchair is attached to a support frame (4) via a connecting rod (3), and a hinge (5) is interposed at each joint. And can be freely rotated. Further, in order to keep the main body (1) and the frame (7) parallel, the supporting frame (4) is connected to the fulcrum rod (2) of the main body (1) via the auxiliary connecting rod (6).
And hinges (5) are similarly attached to each joint. The seats are a seat frame (10) and a seat frame (1).
0), a hinge (8) is attached, and the main body (1) and the frame (7) are connected to the seat frame (1) via the rotating seat frame (11).
0) is attached. A folding structure for a wheelchair, wherein two cushion bodies (9) are provided on the right and left sides of the seat frame (10). 2. A fulcrum rod (2) provided on a body (1) of a folding wheelchair is attached to a support frame (4) via a connecting rod (3), and a hinge (5) is interposed at each joint. And can be freely rotated. In order to keep the main body (1) and the frame (7) parallel, the supporting frame (4) is connected to the fulcrum rod (2) of the main body (1) via the auxiliary connecting rod (6).
And hinges (5) are similarly attached to each joint. A folding structure for a wheelchair, wherein a seat (16) of a seat is directly attached to the main body (1) and the frame (7).