JP2003235903A - Single link type wheel chair capable of utilizing escalator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a wheel chair person to utilize an escalator without using power of an electric motor or caretaker's help. <P>SOLUTION: A front wheel is provided with a single link mechanism capable of rotating by centering a rear wheel. A wheel chair corresponds to change of difference in steps of the escalator due to the rotation of the front wheel and moving of a position of the front wheel. Moreover, a front wheel leg lock mechanism, a front inclination prevention stopper for keeping horizontality of the wheel chair, a main wheel moving mechanism for loading a main wheel on a step of the escalator efficiently, a variable length footrest for making a footrest correspond to difference in steps of the escalator, the front wheel for keeping safety, a rear wheel lock, and a lever system for performing lever operation smoothly are provided when using this mechanism. Furthermore, an existing damper for moving a front wheel leg smoothly is mounted as a precondition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs] ・ Wheelchairs ・ Wheelchairs that can use escalators

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, as an idea of a wheelchair that can use an escalator, a front wheel is vertically moved by using electric power of an electric machine to correspond to a step of an escalator,
There is one in which the wheel bases of the front wheels and the rear wheels are shortened so that the wheelchair can be placed on the escalator. However, it seems that a wheelchair that can use an escalator without the help of a caregiver and without using power such as an electric motor has not been considered.

[0003]

Since it is difficult to use an escalator with a normal wheelchair structure, the wheelchair is provided with a function that enables the use of the escalator. Create a wheelchair that can be used by an escalator using a mechanism that does not use power such as electricity.

[0004]

A front wheel is provided with a front wheel leg link structure to correspond to a step of an escalator. It is equipped with a front wheel leg fixing system that can fix the front wheels.
Equipped with a forward tilting prevention stopper to keep the wheelchair horizontal when dealing with steps. A main wheel moving mechanism is provided for efficiently mounting the main wheel on the tread surface of the escalator. When using the climbing escalator, a normal footrest will hit the step, so the footrest is equipped with a variable length footrest that can be freely changed.

[0005]

[Functions for solving problems] ・ 6-wheel type 6-wheel type is a 4-wheel type with another pair of rear wheels and small wheels such as front wheels. Small wheels are more functional than large wheels to place wheels on the escalator, so small wheels were added as rear wheels.
The wheel type is adopted.・ Main wheel moving mechanism The main wheels will have a great adverse effect on the use of the escalator. Then, assuming that the escalator is used in an ordinary wheelchair, the result is that the escalator cannot be used due to the "main wheel". Therefore,
I considered the main wheel moving mechanism. This is a mechanism that allows the main wheels to move in the front-rear direction of the wheelchair, and the load is supported even in the moved position, allowing the vehicle to travel.・ Front wheel leg link structure The front wheel leg link structure is a link structure that allows the front wheels to move up and down freely by unlocking the front wheel leg lock mechanism described in the next section. It is intended to correspond to the movement that can make a step. -Front wheel leg lock mechanism When using the escalator, the front wheel leg is unlocked by unlocking the front wheel leg and making it compatible with steps. The front wheel leg will be locked when the step on the escalator has not changed. The mechanism that locks and unlocks the front wheels in this way is called the front wheel leg locking mechanism. When the front wheel legs are locked, there are three lock positions for the front wheel legs when going up a flat road, when climbing and descending the escalator has finished changing steps. -Footrest expansion / contraction mechanism The footrest cannot support the rising of escalator steps. The footrest should be about half the length of a normal footrest.・ Front and rear wheel locking mechanism The rear wheel and front wheel are equipped with a wheel locking function to maintain safety when using the escalator. This lock function shall be operated by the lever at hand.・ Front tilt prevention stopper When trying to make the front wheel leg correspond to the step of the escalator, the wheelchair will only be supported by the rear wheel and the main wheel, and the wheelchair will fall forward. Attach a mechanism to the wheelchair that can provide support to prevent it. This is the forward tilt prevention stopper.・ Seat Swing Mechanism The seat swing mechanism is centered on the center of gravity of the wheelchair,
When climbing, the stopper on the front side of the seat surface can be removed and the seat surface can be tilted forward, and when descending, the stopper on the back side of the seat surface can be removed and the seat surface can be tilted rearward. This seat swing mechanism shall be operated by the lever at hand.・ Lever link system A lever (with a link system) that can be used smoothly to switch between the front wheel leg lock, front wheel lock, rear wheel lock, forward tilt lock stopper, seat swing mechanism, which is used when using the escalator. Mounting.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A wheelchair is used as shown in the drawing.

[0007]

[Example] Use a wheelchair as shown in the drawing.

[0008]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Since the present invention does not require a caregiver when using the escalator, the range of activities for one wheelchair user can be expanded. The wheelchair is also environmentally friendly as it does not use power such as electricity. In addition, since this wheelchair can be operated only by itself, wheelchair users can be encouraged to become independent.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1] Front view of wheelchair with escalator

[Figure 2] Side view of wheelchair with escalator

[Figure 3] Escalator usage status diagram-Rise

[Figure 4] Escalator usage status diagram-getting off

[Explanation of symbols] Main wheel front wheel Rear wheel Main wheel movement lock mechanism Main wheel movement lock guide Front wheel leg Rear wheel leg Front wheel leg lock structure Front wheel leg lock guide (10) Forward tilt prevention stopper ▲ 11 ▼ Side plate ▲ 12 ▼ Variable length footrest ▲ 13 ▼ Seat surface ▲ 14 ▼ Backrest ▲ 15 ▼ Armrest

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. Front wheel leg link structure The front wheel leg link structure is a link structure that allows the front wheel to move freely up and down by unlocking the front wheel leg locking mechanism described in the next section. , This is intended to correspond to the movement of the step of the escalator. Connect the front wheels to the shaft connecting the left and right rear wheels through the front wheel legs. A pin is provided at a portion connecting the front wheels, and the front wheel can rotate around the pin. This rotation makes it possible to cope with the step on the escalator. The front wheel legs are as shown in the figure. Also, various shapes of the front wheel legs can be assumed. Front wheel leg link structure like this. [Claim 2] ・ Front wheel leg locking mechanism The above-mentioned front wheel leg link structure is a structure that moves completely freely, and the front wheel and front wheel leg cannot be fixed. The front wheel leg lock mechanism can lock this front wheel leg link structure at any position. The front wheel leg lock mechanism consists of a front wheel leg lock pin and a front wheel leg lock guide. The front wheel leg lock pin passes through the front wheel leg lock guide, and the front wheel leg lock guide can compress and fix the front wheel leg lock pin. When using the escalator, the front wheel passengers are unlocked and the front wheel passengers are free, and the front wheel legs are adapted to the step. Lock the front wheel leg with the escalator level difference remaining. When the front wheel legs are locked, there are 3 lock positions for the front wheel legs when going down a flat road, when climbing and descending escalator ends. Front wheel leg lock mechanism like this. [Claim 3] Main wheel moving mechanism The main wheel moving mechanism can move the main wheels in the front-back direction of the wheelchair so that the main wheels can be efficiently placed on the escalator. In addition, the wheel can support the load of the wheelchair even in the moved position. The main wheel moving mechanism consists of a main wheel moving lock pin and a main wheel moving lock guide. The main wheel movement lock pin consists of the rotating shaft of the main wheel and passes through the main wheel movement lock guide. The main wheel movement lock guide can compress and fix the main wheel movement lock pin. Such a main wheel moving mechanism. [Claim 4] ・ Variable length footrest The footrest has a structure that can be easily contracted if pressed from below in order to correspond to the rising of the steps of the escalator. In addition, this footrest is also free to extend after shrinking, and will naturally return to its original state if there is no step. And it is necessary to make the footrest about half of the normal length when using the escalator.
Such a variable length footrest. [Claim 5] -Front tilt prevention stopper When the front wheel leg lock is removed in order to correspond to the step of the escalator, in order to maintain the system of the wheelchair, take out the "replacement stick" stored in the wheelchair. This refill bar is called a forward tilt prevention stopper. Such a forward tilt prevention stopper. 6. Front and rear wheel lock mechanism A wheel lock function for maintaining safety when using an escalator is attached to the rear and front wheels. This lock function shall be operated by the lever at hand. Such front and rear wheel locks. 7. A lever link system which is used when an escalator is used, such as a front wheel leg lock, a front wheel lock, a rear wheel lock, a forward tilt prevention stopper, and a seat swing, which smoothly perform a series of operations (having a link system). Put on. Such a lever system. 8. An escalator-usable wheelchair is made by using the above functions alone or by combining some of them.