JP2002173031A - Handcart - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a handcart capable of reducing load on feet of a user and reducing fatigue from walking, and smooth walking and traveling. SOLUTION: A grip part 20 of the handcart 1 transformed in a traveling style is rotated to fix in a generally horizontal state. The handcart 20 is operate in a state that the body (the chest or the belly) of the user (an old person) is put along a bending part of the grip part 20 and the body of the user is brought close to the handcart 1 by resting the user's weight on the grip part 20 or gripping both end parts of the grip part 20 by the hand. A space S provided in a rear side lower part of the handcart 1 allows the user to walk and travel smoothly. Left and right rear frame body 4 is extended out obliquely downward to make rear wheel 7 touch the ground at a rear of the both end parts of the grip part 20, and an interval between front and rear wheels 6, 7 is expanded to put weight of the user between them for a stable traveling.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheelbarrow which is used, for example, for walking training, rehabilitation, shopping, walking, etc. for the handicapped and elderly, and is called a silver car or an elderly car.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a wheelbarrow of the above-mentioned example, for example, a foldable wheelbarrow (left and right front legs connected by a front leg connecting member and left and right rear legs connected by a rear leg connecting member) is known. Kaihei 11-115763).

[0003]

However, since the above-described wheelbarrow has a structure in which the rear wheel is grounded substantially below the grip portion, when the user's body approaches the wheelbarrow, the wheelbarrow is operated by hand. Occasionally, the user's feet are likely to abut against the frame or wheels, and may lose their posture or fall. In addition, when the user's body is separated from the wheelbarrow at a predetermined interval so that walking is not hindered, the weight of the user cannot be applied to the wheelbarrow, and the burden applied to the user's feet Therefore, there is a problem that fatigue during walking increases.

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention reduces the burden on the user's feet and reduces fatigue during walking by performing a manual operation while the user's body is close to the handcart. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelbarrow capable of walking and running smoothly.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A handcart having a pair of left and right front and rear frames connected to a back frame, a wheel pivotally attached to lower ends of the front and rear frames, and a grip provided at an upper end of the back frame. Is a wheelbarrow provided in a state located forward of the upper end of the back frame.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the left and right rear frames extend rearward of the gripping portion, and the left and right rear frames and rear wheels are provided. Between, while the user is allowed to walk,
A connecting member for connecting the left and right rear frames is erected at a height at which the user is allowed to walk, and a space that allows the user to walk is provided at a lower rear portion of the handcart. It is characterized by a wheelbarrow.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, there is provided a hand cart having the grip portion formed in a curved shape substantially corresponding to the front surface of the user's body. I do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or third aspect, the grip portion is in a horizontal state in which the grip portion is directed substantially forward with respect to an upper end portion of the back frame, and in a substantially vertical state. It is a handcart provided so as to be rotatable in an upright state.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a running mode in which the front and rear frames are opened at a predetermined angle with respect to the front-rear direction. When,
The front and rear frames are handcarts that are deformably connected to a folded form that is closed at a predetermined angle.

[0010]

According to the present invention, since the user's body (chest or belly) is pushed close to the wheelbarrow or pushed along the curved portion of the grip, the weight of the user is pushed manually. Since it is easy to hang on a car and the burden on the user's foot is reduced, fatigue during walking can be reduced. and,
The left and right rear frames extend diagonally downward, and the left and right rear wheels are in contact with the rear side of both ends of the gripping part, so that the distance between the front and rear wheels is widened, and the weight of the user is given between them. Therefore, stability during traveling is good, and it is possible to prevent the wheelbarrow from overturning.

In addition, the left and right rear frames extend obliquely downward to separate the left and right rear frames and the left and right rear wheels at a wider interval than the user's body width. It is installed at a height that allows walking of the wheelbarrow, and a space is provided in the lower part on the rear side of the wheelbarrow to allow the user to walk (forward and backward movement of the foot). The user's feet can smoothly walk and run without contacting or being caught by the frame or wheels.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawing shows a wheelbarrow used as an old-age car. In FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the wheelbarrow 1 is shown.
Is connected to the front frames 3 and 3, the rear frames 4 and 4, and the back frames 5 and 5 constituting the frame 2, and is provided so as to be deformable into a traveling form and a folded form.

A front wheel 6 is pivotally attached to a lower end of the front frame 3, and a rear wheel 7 is pivotally attached to a lower end of the rear frame 4 extending obliquely downward and rearward. The upper end of the body 3 is pivotally attached to a bracket 8 attached to the back frame 5 so as to be vertically rotatable, and the bracket 8 is attached to the back frame 5 so as to be vertically movable. In addition, at least the space between the rear frames 4 and 4 and the space between the wheels 7 and 7 are separated by an interval at which the user is allowed to walk (an interval that does not hinder the forward and backward movement of the foot), and during that interval, There is provided a space portion S that allows the user to walk when viewed from above.

On the other hand, the upper end of the rear frame 4 is
Of the rear frame 4 is pivotally attached to the lower end of the back frame 5 by a bracket 9 which is pivotally attached to the lower end of the back frame 5 in the vertical direction. The bracket 9 is slidably held, and the rear end of the bracket 9 is pivotally attached to the lower end of the back frame 5 so as to be vertically rotatable.

Further, the rear end of the connecting rod 14 is pivotably connected to the front end of the bracket 9 so as to be vertically rotatable, and the front end of the connecting rod 14 is located between the lower end of the front frame 3 and the lower end. Between the right and left brackets 8 and 9
Are connected by short support shafts 10 and 11, and the left and right brackets 12 attached to the upper end of the back frame 5 are connected by short support shafts 13. And wheels 6, 7
Are separated to a size that is wider than the body width (shoulder width) of the user (elder). For example, for women, the width is set to be small, and for men, the width is set to be wide by connecting with a long support shaft. In addition, the support shaft 11 and the connecting rod 14 are provided at a height at which the user can walk (a height that does not hinder the forward and backward movement of the foot), and between the support shaft 11 and the connecting rod 14 and the ground surface. , The space S described above is provided.

On the other hand, a bag-like bag 15 (or a bag, a case or the like) is mounted on the upper part of the connecting rod 14, and the back side of the bag 15 is fixed to the support shafts 11, 13.

The lock mechanism 1 provided on the bracket 8 described above.
5, a lock lever 17 pivotally attached to the bracket 8 is locked to a projection 18 (or a locking portion such as a concave portion or a step portion) provided on the back frame 5 as shown in FIG. When the front and rear frames 3, 4 are opened at a predetermined angle with respect to the front-rear direction while pulling down the upper end side of the front frame 3 downward along the back frame 5, the lock lever 17, the claw portion 17a is locked by the projection 18, and as shown in FIG. 1, the entire frame 2 is locked and fixed in the running mode.

On the other hand, the front and rear frames 3, 4 are brought close to or overlap with each other while releasing the locking by the lock lever 17 and pulling the upper end of the front frame 3 upward along the back frame 5. When the angle is closed to a predetermined angle, the frame 2 from which the bag 15 has been removed is deformed or held in a folded form as shown by a solid line in FIG. Further, the lock lever 17 is locked to, for example, a protrusion (not shown) formed on the upper end side of the rear frame 4,
The entire frame 2 may be fixed or held in a folded form by using a hook, a band-shaped, or a string-shaped restraint.

In the embodiment, the frame 2 is constituted by the substantially elliptical frame members 3, 4, and 5 which are formed in a hollow shape. It may be constituted by the frame bodies 3, 4, and 5 formed.

The grip 20 attached to the upper end of the back frame 5 has a shape along the front of the user's body (chest, abdomen, waist, etc.). And both ends thereof are pivotally attached to the upper ends of the left and right back frame members 5 so as to be able to rotate back and forth, and the user can easily grasp both end portions (portions to be gripped by hand). The hand is formed in a thickness and shape that can be grounded in a plane. Further, both end portions of the grip portion 20 may be pivotally attached so as to be able to rotate back and forth independently of each other.

The adjusting screw 2 is inserted into the upper end of the hollow back frame 5 so as to be able to move up and down, and both ends of the grip 20 are attached to the bracket 12 at the upper end of the back frame 5.
1 to secure the insertion-side end of the gripper 20 at the desired insertion position, thereby securing the gripper 20.
Is adjusted up and down (adjustable to expand and contract) to a height suitable for the user to grip, substantially corresponding to the height of the user. In addition, the height may be adjusted with, for example, a ratchet or a pin.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the rotating mechanisms 23 provided at both ends of the gripper 20 are provided with a case 25 in which the lock member 24 is fixed to the upper end of the back frame 5. The operation part 24a of the lock member 24 is accommodated and held so as to be movable back and forth between the opposing surfaces of the cover 26 fixed to the end of the gripper 20 and the opening 2 formed in the cover 26.
6a is provided so as to be exposed or protruded from the operating unit 24a.
a) A concave portion or a convex portion for locking a finger is formed on the outer surface.

The shaft portions 27 and 28 formed at the center of the shaft of the case 25 and the cover 26 are rotatably fitted through a horizontally long slot 29 formed in the lock member 24, and the groove 28a is formed. The claw portion 29a is formed on the upper and lower inner surfaces of the elongated hole 29 facing the groove portion 28a, and the lock member 24 is always locked by the coil spring 30. To the traction.

That is, when the gripping portion 20 is rotated upward by about 90 degrees about the shaft portions 27 and 28, the upper claw portion 29a of the elongated hole 29 is engaged with the upper groove portion 28a of the shaft portion 28. As shown in FIG. 6, the gripper 20 is fixed upright in a substantially vertical state.

On the other hand, when the gripper 20 is rotated approximately 90 degrees forward, the lower claw 29a of the long hole 29 is locked in the lower groove 28a of the shaft 28, as shown in FIG. Gripper 20
Are rotationally fixed in a substantially horizontal state. When the grip 20 is rotated, the lock member 25 is moved to the front side against the coil spring 30 so that the claw 29 a of the elongated hole 29 is unlocked with the groove 28 a of the shaft 28. Retreat to the position where it will be. The position of the lock member 24 may be regulated by, for example, an alternate mechanism or a cam mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 9, the swing mechanism 31 provided at the lower end of the front frame 3 attaches the wheels 6 (casters) to the lower end of the front frame 3 so as to be horizontally rotatable. The left and right wheels 6, 6 are swingably connected by a connecting rod 32, and a lock member 33 attached to the lower end of the front frame 3 and a swing operation unit 34 provided on the grip 20 are connected to the user. The left and right wheels 6 are locked and fixed in a state substantially facing the front by operating the swing operation unit 34. When the fixing is released, the left and right wheels 6 can swing. The above-described swing mechanism 31 and swing operation section 34 are the same as those disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
Since it has substantially the same configuration as the lock device of No. 67254,
A detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, a braking mechanism 36 provided at the lower end of the rear frame 4 is provided with a braking member 37 formed in a shape of being pressed against the wheels 7 with respect to the lower end of the rear frame 4. And pivotally attached to the base member of the braking member 37,
The lever-type braking operation unit 38 provided on the grip unit 20 is connected with a striated body 39 wired so as not to hinder the user's walking, and by operating the braking operation unit 38, the braking member 37 is moved.
It is pressed against the wheel 7 against the spiral spring 40 to brake (stop rotation). When the braking is released, the spiral spring 40 returns to the direction in which the pressure contact is released by the restoring force. The braking operation unit 38 is pivotally fixed to a braking position and / or a release position by a slider 38a. The above-described braking mechanism 36
Has substantially the same configuration as the brake device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-67255, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A stopper mechanism 42 provided below the brake mechanism 36 pivotally connects the lock lever 43 to the rear edge of the lower end of the rear frame 4 so as to be vertically movable, and moves the handcart 1 to a desired location. When stopping, use the lock lever 4 with your foot or hand.
3 by pulling down, the pin 4 protruding from the side of the lever.
The wheel 4 is locked between the valleys of the locking pieces 45 having a radial shape formed at the inner central portion of the wheel 7 (prevented by mutual contact resistance), so that the wheel 7 is locked so as not to rotate. When the fixing is released, the wheels 7 become rotatable. Locking piece 45
Are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis of the wheel 7. Further, the above-described braking mechanism 36
The wheel 6 may be braked or locked by providing the and the stopper mechanism 42 at the lower end of the front frame 3.

FIG. 11 shows another example of the braking mechanism 36.
By the operation of the braking operation section 38, the braking member 46 is pressed against the wheel 7 (in the radial direction) against an elastic body such as a coil spring or rubber to brake (stop rotation). When the pressure contact is released, the elastic member returns to the direction in which the pressure contact is released by the restoring force.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the end of the linear body 39 connected to the left and right braking members 37 is connected to a joint 47.
A substantially U formed at one end of a slider 48 housed therein.
A stepped hole formed at the other end of the slider 48 by inserting the end of the linear body 39 connected to the braking operation part 38 by inserting into the V-shaped hole, stopping by the restoring force or the stopper. The left and right braking members 37 are operated in conjunction with each other by operating one of the braking operation portions 38 by being inserted or stopped by a stopper. Further, the above-described braking mechanism 36 and stopper mechanism 42
May be provided on the wheel 6 side, and the front and rear and left and right brake mechanisms 36 may be operated in conjunction with one brake operation unit 38.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and a method of using the handcart 1 when an elderly person walks will be described below.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, after the handcart 1 is deformed (or before it is deformed) into a running form, the fixation by the left and right rotating mechanisms 23 is released, and the gripper 20 is moved forward. It turns by about 90 degrees and turns and fixes to a substantially horizontal state shown in FIG.

The user's (elderly) body is brought close to the wheelbarrow 1 with the front surface (chest and belly) of the user along the curved portion of the grip 20, and the weight of the user is applied to the grip 20. The user pushes or pushes the handcart 1 by, for example, hanging or gripping both ends of the holding portion 20 with his / her hand, thereby running or walking.

Since the space between the left and right rear frames 4 and the space between the left and right wheels 7 are separated by an interval that allows the user to walk, it is possible to prevent the user from hitting the foot or hindering the walking. I do. In addition, the left and right rear wheels 7 contact the rear side of the both ends of the grip portion 20 so that the weight of the user is provided between the front and rear wheels 6 and 7, thereby improving the stability during running. Further, the grip portion 20 may be used in a state where the grip portion 20 is standing and fixed in a substantially vertical state shown in FIG.

If the back 15 is removed, the connecting rod 14 protruding forward can also be used as a seat for a user (old man) to sit on.

On the other hand, when transporting or storing the wheelbarrow 1, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, the bag 15 is removed (or not removed) and deformed into a folded form. Space is small and easy to carry.

As described above, when pushing the wheelbarrow 1 which has been deformed into the running mode, the body (chest or belly) of the user (elderly) is made to follow the curved portion of the grip 20 fixed in a substantially horizontal state. Since the user's body is pushed by hand in the state of being close to the wheelbarrow 1, the weight of the user is easily put on the wheelbarrow 1 and the burden on the user's foot is reduced, thereby reducing fatigue when walking. can do. In addition, since the left and right rear frame members 4 extend obliquely downward on the rear side and the left and right wheels 7 contact the rear side of both ends of the grip 20, the front-rear distance between the wheels 6 and 7 is widened. The weight of the user is given to the wheelbarrow, so that the running stability is good and the wheelbarrow 20
Can be prevented from falling over.

Further, the left and right rear frames 4 extend obliquely downward on the rear side to separate the left and right rear frames 4 and the left and right wheels 7 at a wider interval than the body width of the user. Since the shaft 11 and the connecting rod 14 are erected at a height at which the user can walk, and a space S is provided at the lower rear portion of the handcart 20 to allow the user's foot to move forward and backward. When the wheelbarrow 1 is pushed by hand, the user's feet are
It is possible to smoothly walk and run without contacting or being caught on the support shaft 11.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the connecting member of the present invention comprises the support shaft 11 of the embodiment,
Although corresponding to No. 14, the present invention is not limited to only the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the wheelbarrow 1 is used as an aged car has been described. However, the wheelbarrow 1 can be used for shopping, luggage transportation, and the like, and is limited to only the use of the embodiment. is not.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a traveling wheelbarrow.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a traveling wheelbarrow.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a wheelbarrow in a traveling mode.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing an operation of transforming the wheelbarrow into a traveling mode and a folding mode.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a fixed state by a lock mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which a gripping portion by a rotating mechanism is rotated and fixed substantially vertically.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the gripping portion is rotated and fixed substantially horizontally.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the rotation mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a mounting structure of the swing mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a mounting structure of a braking mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing another example of the braking mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal side view showing the internal structure of a joint for connecting the striatum.

[Explanation of symbols]

 S: Space part 1 ... Wheelbarrow 2 ... Frame 3 ... Front frame body 4 ... Rear frame body 5 ... Back frame body 6, 7 ... Wheels 10, 11, 13 ... Support shaft 14 ... Connection rod 16 ... Lock mechanism 20 ... Gripping part 23 ... Rotating mechanism 24 ... Lock member

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B62B 5/04 B62B 3/00 D

Claims (5)

[Claims] A wheelbarrow having a pair of left and right front and rear frames connected to a back frame, a wheel pivotally connected to lower ends of the front and rear frames, and a gripper provided at an upper end of the back frame. And a handcart provided with the grip portion in a state located forward of an upper end portion of the back frame. 2. The left and right rear frames extend rearward of the gripping portion to separate a space between the left and right rear frames and rear wheels at an interval at which the user is allowed to walk. At the same time, a connecting member for connecting the left and right rear frames is erected at a height at which the user is allowed to walk, and a space that allows the user to walk is provided below the rear side of the handcart. The wheelbarrow according to claim 1 provided. 3. The handcart according to claim 1, wherein said grip portion is formed in a curved shape substantially corresponding to a front surface of said user's body. 4. The holding portion according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is rotatably provided between a horizontal state substantially directed forward with respect to an upper end portion of the back frame body and an upright state directed substantially vertically. Wheelbarrow. 5. A running mode in which the front and rear frames are opened at a predetermined angle with respect to the front and rear direction, and a folding mode in which the front and rear frames are closed at a predetermined angle. The handcart according to claim 1, wherein the handcart is deformably connected to the wheelbarrow.