JP2004049346A

JP2004049346A - Step overcoming device for carrying vehicle such as wheelchair

Info

Publication number: JP2004049346A
Application number: JP2002208014A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Motoshige Kato; 加藤　源重
Original assignee: Kaneso Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kaneso Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-17
Filing date: 2002-07-17
Publication date: 2004-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-17
Also published as: JP4148710B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a step overcoming device which can be attached without removing casters or wheels provided on a carrying vehicle such as an already existing wheelchair, can extremely easily get over a step without requiring labor at the time of getting over the step. <P>SOLUTION: At least at an upper location on the front side of a vehicle body 3, a support shaft 13 is laterally stretched in the width direction of the vehicle body 3. On the support shaft 13, an arm rod 21 equipped with an approximately arch-shape supporting surface 22 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 3 at the lower end is pivotally supported in a manner to be turnable in the longitudinal direction. The arm rod 21 is urged in the forward turning direction through a holding means, and at the same time, the arm rod 21 is held turnably backward at a using position wherein the front end of the approximately arc-shape supporting surface 22 becomes higher than the axle shafts 26 and 26 of wheels 5 and 5 in front of the wheels 5 and 5 on the front side. Thus, when the carrying vehicle is advancing, and the approximately arc-shape supporting surface 22 comes into contact with the ridge part of the step 33, the overcoming of the step can be extremely easily performed by the arm rod 21 which is automatically operated. Also, since the already installed wheels 5 and 5 can be used as they are, the replacement or the removal of the wheels 5 and 5 is not required. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、車体の前部側及び後部側に左右一対の車輪を夫々備えた車椅子や、台車、ショッピングカート、乳母車、シルバーカー、ストレッチャー等（以下、これらを「車椅子等」と総称する）の搬送車両に使用し得る段差越え装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
床面や路面に段状の高低差や溝等の段差があると、車椅子等の搬送車両による通行の障害となる。そこで、このような段差を乗り越えられるようにした構成が、例えば特開平１１−１１０２号公報や特開２０００−３０９２０３号公報、或いは特開平１０−１８１６０９号公報等において種々提案されている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、上記特開平１１−１１０２号公報や特開２０００−３０９２０３号公報に開示されている構成は、複数の回転輪を備えたキャスタや車輪にかかる構成であって、これを既存の車椅子等の搬送車両に適用する場合には、既設のキャスタや車輪と取り替えなければならない上、取り外した既設のキャスタや車輪が不要なものになってしまうという問題点があった。
【０００４】
また、特開平１０−１８１６０９号公報のものは、前輪と後輪の間に中間補助輪を配設し、該中間補助輪をレバー操作を介して昇降させるようにしたものであり、段差を乗り越えようとする度にレバー操作を行う必要があるので、面倒であるばかりでなく、下方に中間補助輪を押し出した状態で、該中間補助輪を支点として台車後部を押し下げたり、引き上げたりしなければならないため、相当の労力を要するといった問題点があった。
【０００５】
本発明は、既存の車椅子等の搬送車両に設けられているキャスタや車輪を除去せずに取り付けが可能であり、段差越えに際しては労力を要することなく極めて容易に段差を乗り越えることができる段差越え装置を提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、車体の前部側及び後部側に左右一対の車輪を夫々備えた車椅子等の搬送車両において、少なくとも前部側の車輪の上方に、ブラケットを介して両端部を軸支して車体の幅方向に横架された支持軸と、車体の前後方向に沿って延在する略円弧状支持面を下端に備え、上端が前記支持軸に枢支されて、前部側の車輪の接地点より僅かに高い位置を前後方向に回動するように設けられたアーム杆と、該アーム杆を、前方回動方向に付勢し、かつ前部側の車輪の前方で略円弧状支持面の前端が該車輪の車軸より高くなる使用位置に後方回動可能に保持する保持手段とを備えたことを特徴とする車椅子等の搬送車両における段差越え装置である。
【０００７】
ここで、支持軸の両端部を軸支して該支持軸を車体の幅方向に横架するブラケットは、車体を構成する左右のフレームに着脱可能に取り付けられる取付金具と一体化することによって、車体の左右両側に配設される。
【０００８】
かかる構成にあって、車椅子等の搬送車両の前進時に、その進行方向の前方に段差があると、先ず、アーム杆の下端に具備された略円弧状支持面が段差の稜部に当接し、さらに前進を続けると、その当接状態を維持するアーム杆によって搬送車両の前部側が持ち上げられて前部側の車輪が浮き上がるとともに、搬送車両の前進に伴ってアーム杆が後方に回動し、これに伴って前部側の車輪が段差に近づいてゆき、遂には該車輪を段差上に載せることができる。また、該車輪が段差上に載ると、略円弧状支持面が前部側の車輪より僅かに高い位置に設けられていることにより、瞬時にアーム杆による搬送車両の前部側の持ち上げ作用が消失して、該アーム杆が保持手段の付勢作用を介して前方回動し、使用位置に復帰する。これにより、略円弧状支持面が段差の稜部に当接すると、特別な操作を必要とすることなく、自動的に作動するアーム杆によって極めて容易に段差越えを行うことができる。また、既設の車輪をそのまま使用し得るので、該車輪を交換したり除去する必要がない。
【０００９】
ここで、前記アーム杆を前方回動方向に付勢し、かつ使用位置に後方回動可能に保持する保持手段としては、支持軸に巻装されて、一端を支持軸に止着し、他端をアーム杆に止着した捻りコイルバネと、支持軸の外周面に配設されたストッパー片と、アーム杆に配設されて前記ストッパー片に周方向から当接する突起片とによって構成したものが提案される。かかる構成にあっては、捻りコイルバネによってアーム杆を前方回動方向に付勢して、支持軸側のストッパー片にアーム杆側の突起片を当接させることにより、簡単な構造でありながら、アーム杆を使用位置に後方回動可能に保持する所要の保持作用を得ることができる。
【００１０】
また、前記アーム杆を、使用位置と、支持軸を後方に回動させて略円弧状支持面の前端が使用位置での略円弧状支持面の後端より高くなる待機位置とに変換する位置変換手段を備えてなる構成が提案される。かかる構成にあっては、段差越え装置を使用しない場合に、待機位置に変換することにより、収納状態とすることができ、轍や石等にアーム杆の略円弧状支持面が不用意に接触して邪魔になる不具合を防止することができる。
【００１１】
前記位置変換手段としては、支持軸の一端を軸支するブラケットの内側で、該支持軸の端部近傍に側方に傾動可能に軸支され、かつバネで一方向に付勢される、ストッパー杆を備えたストッパー部材と、前記ブラケットに形成されて、アーム杆の使用位置と待機位置とに対応する位置で、前記ストッパー杆が前記バネの付勢力により夫々係合される係合部と、前記ストッパー部材に基部が固着され、該ストッパー部材を一方向に付勢する前記バネの付勢力に抗してストッパー部材を回動させてストッパー杆と係合部との係合を解除し、かつ支持軸を回動させるための操作レバーとによって構成したものが提案される。かかる構成により、アーム杆を、使用位置と待機位置とに簡単に変換することができる。
【００１２】
また、前記位置変換手段を、支持軸の一端を軸支するブラケットの内側で、該支持軸の端部近傍に側方に傾動可能に軸支され、かつバネで一方向に付勢される、ストッパー杆を備えたストッパー部材と、前部を支持軸に回動可能に外嵌してブラケットの内側に対設される補助プレートと、該補助プレートに形成されて、アーム杆の使用位置と待機位置とに対応する位置で、前記ストッパー杆が前記バネの付勢力により夫々係合される係合部と、前記補助プレートの後部の定常位置からの上方回動を規制し、かつ下方回動を可能とする回動規制部材と、前記補助プレートの後部を上方回動方向に付勢し、下方回動した補助プレートの後部を定常位置に復帰させる付勢手段と、前記ストッパー部材に基部が固着され、該ストッパー部材を一方向に付勢する前記バネの付勢力に抗してストッパー部材を回動させてストッパー杆と係合部との係合を解除し、かつ支持軸を回動させるための操作レバーとによって構成したものが提案される。
【００１３】
かかる構成にあっては、アーム杆を、使用位置と待機位置とに簡単に変換することができるとともに、アーム杆を待機位置に変換した状態で搬送車両を後退させて段差を越える場合に、アーム杆の略円弧状支持面が段差の稜部に当接した状態で後退を続けると、ストッパー杆と係合部との係合によってアーム杆を待機位置に保持している補助プレートの後部が下方回動して、支持軸とともにアーム杆が搬送車両の前部側に向けて回動することとなり、アーム杆によって搬送車両の前部側が持ち上げられて前部側の車輪が浮き上がるとともに、さらなる搬送車両の後退に伴って前部側の車輪が段差に近づいてゆき、遂には該車輪を段差上に載せることができる。また、該車輪が段差上に載ると、上述したように、瞬時にアーム杆による搬送車両の前部側の持ち上げ作用が消失して、下方回動した補助プレートの後部が付勢手段の付勢力によって定常位置に復帰し、これに伴って支持軸とともにアーム杆が後方に回動されて待機位置に戻る。これにより、後退時にあっても段差を容易に乗り越えることができる。
【００１４】
さらに、支持軸の両端部を軸支するブラケットを、車体を構成する左右のフレームに対して着脱可能に設けるとともに、支持軸を、主体軸と該主体軸の少なくとも一端に進退可能に配設した補助軸とによって構成し、該補助軸の進退作用を介して支持軸を伸縮調整可能に設ける構成が提案される。かかる構成にあっては、着脱可能なブラケットを、車体を構成する左右のフレームに夫々取り付けるとともに、両ブラケットに両端部を軸支させ得る所定の長さに支持軸を伸縮調整することにより、段差越え装置を既存の車椅子等の搬送車両に簡単に取り付けることができ、さらに、補助軸の進退作用を介して、支持軸をブラケットに対して着脱することにより、必要に応じて段差越え装置を取り外したり、再度取り付けたりすることができる。
【００１５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に、本発明を車椅子に適用した場合の第一実施例を、図１〜図８に基づいて説明する。
本発明にかかる段差越え装置１が装着される車椅子２の車体３は、図１，図２に示すように、左右一対に設けられた所定形状のフレーム４，４からなり、該車体３の前部側にキャスターからなる比較的径小な車輪５，５が左右一対に配設され、また、車体３の後部側に径大な車輪６，６が左右一対に配設されている。尚、車体３を構成する左右のフレーム４，４相互は、図示しないリンク機構を介して連結されており、該リンク機構によりその相互間隔を狭めることによって、車体３が折り畳み可能となっている。
【００１６】
前部側の車輪５，５の上方には、車体３を構成する左右のフレーム４，４に取付金具７，７が着脱可能に取り付けられており、該取付金具７，７と一体化されたブラケット８，８が車体３の左右両側に配設されている。ここで、各取付金具７は、図３に示すように、左右に分割された抱持片９ａ，９ｂと該抱持片９ａ，９ｂから前後両側に夫々突成されたフランジ部１０ａ，１０ｂとによって構成されており、フレーム４の左右両側に抱持片９ａ，９ｂを宛がった状態で、対向する前後のフランジ部１０ａ，１０ａ及びフランジ部１０ｂ，１０ｂにボルト１１，１１を夫々挿通し、その突出端をナット１２，１２に螺合して緊締することにより、フレーム４に夫々取り付けるようにしている。また、各ブラケット８は、車体３の内側に位置する抱持片９ａに、その基部を螺子止め若しくは溶接等の固着手段を介して固定することにより、取付金具７と一体化された状態で前方に突設されている。
【００１７】
そして、前部側の車輪５，５の上方には、前記ブラケット８，８に両端部を嵌入して回動可能に軸支させることにより、支持軸１３が車体３の幅方向に横架されている。ここで、該支持軸１３は、図４に拡大して示すように、主体軸１４と、該主体軸１４の両端部に進退可能に配設された補助軸１５ａ，１５ｂとによって構成されており、該補助軸１５ａ，１５ｂの進退作用を介して支持軸１３が伸縮調整可能となっている。前記補助軸１５ａ，１５ｂは、中空状に形成された主体軸１４の両端部に夫々進退可能に嵌挿されており、主体軸１４の両端近傍部に形成した左右方向の長孔１６ａ，１６ｂから螺入される固定用螺子１７ａ，１７ｂによって所要の突出長さで固定し得るようになっている。これにより、既存の車椅子２にあって、種々異なる幅の左右のフレーム４，４に配設されたブラケット８，８に対して、その伸縮調整を介して支持軸１３を横架し得るようにしている。また、主体軸１４内には、前記補助軸１５ａ，１５ｂの両嵌入端に当接するコイルバネ１８が圧縮状態で装入されており、一方の補助軸１５ｂの固定用螺子１７ｂを、その頭部に設けられた操作ノブ１９を介して緩めると、前記コイルバネ１８の付勢力により補助軸１５ｂが長孔１６ｂの範囲内で外側方に突出するようになっている。これにより、補助軸１５ｂのブラケット８に対する嵌入操作を容易に行い得るようにしている。
【００１８】
前記支持軸１３の略中央には、上端に固着された円筒状基部２０を主体軸１４に外嵌することにより、アーム杆２１が前後方向に回動可能に枢支されている。該アーム杆２１は、車体３の前後方向に沿って延在する略円弧状支持面２２を下端に備えており、その略円弧状支持面２２を、前部側の車輪５，５の接地点より僅かに高い位置を前後方向に回動させ得る所定の長さに設けられている。ここで、略円弧状支持面２２は、支持軸１３を中心とする仮想円の円周に一致するように形成されるが、滑らかな連続曲線で円弧状を呈するもの以外に、ほぼ円に近い多角形の一部を切り取ったような短い直線部分が円弧状に連続するものであってもよい。
【００１９】
前記アーム杆２１の円筒状基部２０の一端側には、図４に示すように、支持軸１３の主体軸１４に巻装した捻りコイルバネ２３の一端が止着されており、該捻りコイルバネ２３の他端は主体軸１４に固定した環状のバネ止め部材３９に止着されている。該捻りコイルバネ２３は、適宜の捻り状態で配設されており、その弾発力によってアーム杆２１を前方回動方向に付勢するようになっている。また、アーム杆２１の円筒状基部２０の他端側には、主体軸１４の外周面に固着されたストッパー片２４と、円筒状基部２０の側縁に突成されて前記ストッパー片２４に周方向から当接する突起片２５とが配設されており、該突起片２５と前記ストッパー片２４とによって、アーム杆２１の前方回動位置を規定するようにしている。そして、この突起片２５とストッパー片２４と前記捻りコイルバネ２３とによって、図１に示すように、アーム杆２１を、前方回動方向に付勢し、かつ前部側の車輪５，５の前方で略円弧状支持面２２の前端が該車輪５，５の車軸２６より高くなる使用位置に後方回動可能に保持する保持手段が構成されている。
【００２０】
次に、前記アーム杆２１を、図１に示す使用位置と、支持軸１３を後方に回動させて略円弧状支持面２２の前端が使用位置での略円弧状支持面２２の後端よりも高くなる待機位置（図７参照）とに変換する位置変換手段について説明する。
【００２１】
図４に示すように、支持軸１３の一端を軸支する前記ブラケット８の内側には、支持軸１３の一端を構成する補助軸１５ａの端部近傍に、該補助軸１５ａを跨ぐようにして略Ｃ字形を呈するストッパー部材２７（図６イ，ロ参照）が、支軸２９によって側方に傾動可能に軸支されており、該ストッパー部材２７の天頂部から、外側方に向けてストッパー杆２８が突成されている。また、支軸２９には、図５に示すように、一端を補助軸１５ａに止着し、他端をストッパー部材２７に止着した捻りコイルバネからなるバネ３０が巻装されており、該バネ３０によってストッパー部材２７を外側方に付勢して、後述するブラケット８の係合部３１ａ，３１ｂの何れかにストッパー杆２８の先端を係合させ得るようになっている。さらに、ストッパー部材２７には、操作レバー３２の基部が固着されており、該操作レバー３２によって、図５に鎖線で示すように、前記バネ３０の付勢力に抗してストッパー部材２７を内側方に回動させてストッパー杆２８と係合部３１ａ，３１ｂとの係合を解除し、かつ支持軸１３を回動させ得るようになっている。
【００２２】
一方、前記補助軸１５ａを軸支するブラケット８の外周面には、図６イ，ロに示すように、アーム杆２１の使用位置と待機位置とに対応する位置に、前記ストッパー杆２８が夫々係合される凹溝からなる二つの係合部３１ａ，３１ｂが形成されている。
【００２３】
そして、図６イに示すように、下側の係合部３１ａにストッパー杆２８が係合されてアーム杆２１が使用位置（図１参照）に変換されている状態で、操作レバー３２によってバネ３０の付勢力に抗してストッパー部材２７を内側方に回動させてストッパー杆２８と係合部３１ａとの係合を外すと、支持軸１３がアーム杆２１とともに回動可能となり、この状態で操作レバー３２によって支持軸１３とともにアーム杆２１を後方に回動させて、図６ロに示すように、上側の係合部３１ｂにストッパー杆２８をバネ３０の付勢力を介して係合させることにより、アーム杆２１を待機位置（図７参照）に変換し得るようになっている。尚、アーム杆２１の待機位置から使用位置への変換操作は、上記と逆の手順によって行うことができる。
【００２４】
かかる構成にあって、車椅子２の前進時に、その進行方向の前方に段差があった場合、予めアーム杆２１を使用位置へ変換しておくことにより、先ず、図８イに示すように、アーム杆２１の下端に具備された略円弧状支持面２２が段差３３の稜部に当接し、さらに前進を続けると、その当接状態を維持するアーム杆２１によって、図８ロに示すように、車椅子２の前部側が持ち上げられて前部側の車輪５，５が浮き上がるとともに、車椅子２の前進に伴ってアーム杆２１が後方に回動し、これに伴って前部側の車輪５，５が段差３３に近づいてゆき、遂には図８ハに示すように、該車輪５，５を段差３３上に載せることができる。また、該車輪５，５が段差３３上に載ると、略円弧状支持面２２が前部側の車輪５，５より僅かに高い位置に設けられていることにより、瞬時にアーム杆２１による車椅子２の前部側の持ち上げ作用が消失して、該アーム杆２１が保持手段が具備する捻りコイルバネ２３の付勢作用を介して前方回動し、アーム杆２１の前方回動位置を規定する支持軸１３側のストッパー片２４に、アーム杆２１側の突起片２５が当接して、図８ニに示すように、アーム杆２１が使用位置に復帰する。これにより、略円弧状支持面２２が段差３３の稜部に当接すると、特別な操作を必要とすることなく、自動的に作動するアーム杆２１によって極めて容易に段差越えを行うことができる。一方、アーム杆２１を待機位置に変換しておくことにより、轍や石等に略円弧状支持面２２が不用意に接触して邪魔になる不具合を防止することができる。尚、段差越え装置１は、図示したような床面や路面に生じている段状の高低差からなる段差以外に、溝からなる段差であっても上記と同様の段差越え作用を得ることができる。
【００２５】
図９〜図１５は、第二実施例を示し、この実施例は、アーム杆２１を使用位置と待機位置とに変換する位置変換手段の構成を変更することにより、車椅子２の後退時においても段差を乗り越えられるようにしたものである。
【００２６】
この第二実施例にあって、支持軸１３の一端を構成する補助軸１５ａが軸支される一方のブラケット８は、図９，図１０等に示すように、取付金具７を構成する抱持片９ａ，９ｂの前部側のフランジ部１０ａ，１０ａを前方に延出させてブラケット状とすることにより、取付金具７と一体化されている。
【００２７】
前記ブラケット８の内側には、図９，図１１等に示すように、前部を補助軸１５ａに回動可能に外嵌した補助プレート３４が対設されている。該補助プレート３４の外周面には、図１１イ，ロに示すように、アーム杆２１の使用位置（図１２参照）と待機位置（図１３参照）とに対応する位置に、上述したストッパー杆２８が夫々係合される凹溝からなる二つの係合部３１ａ，３１ｃが形成されている。ここで、下側の係合部３１ａは、第一実施例の係合部３１ａ（図６参照）と同じ位置に設けられるが、上側の係合部３１ｃは、第一実施例の係合部３１ｂ（図６参照）よりも若干低い位置に設けられる。これにより、該係合部３１ｃにストッパー杆２８を係合してアーム杆２１を待機位置（図１３参照）に変換すると、略円弧状支持面２２の前端が、第一実施例における待機位置（図７参照）よりも低い位置に保持されるようになっている。
【００２８】
また、補助プレート３４の後部には、図１１イ，ロに示すように、補助軸１５ａを中心とする仮想円の円周に一致する円弧状の長孔３５が形成されており、該長孔３５に挿通した固定螺子３６の基部が取付金具７の抱持片９ａに螺着されている。これにより、補助プレート３４の後部は、長孔３５の長さの範囲内で上下方向に回動可能となっている。また、長孔３５の下部内端に固定螺子３６の軸部３６’が当接して、補助プレート３４の後部の上方回動が規制される位置が、補助プレート３４の後部の定常位置となっている。そして、前記固定螺子３６を、補助プレート３４の後部の定常位置からの上方回動を規制し、かつ下方回動を可能とする回動規制部材としている。尚、この回動規制部材としては、抱持片９ａの下縁に下方から当接するように補助プレート３４の下縁から突設させた係止突起によって構成することもできる。
【００２９】
また、補助プレート３４の後端と、前記抱持片９ａの後部側のフランジ部１０ｂを上方に延出して形成した支持片部３７との間には、補助プレート３４の後部を上方回動方向に付勢する引張バネ３８が介装されている。これにより、下方回動した補助プレート３４の後部を定常位置に復帰させる付勢手段が構成されている。
【００３０】
その他の構成は、第一実施例と同じであり、同一部分に同一符号を付して重複する説明を省略する。
【００３１】
かかる構成にあって、図１１イに示すように、下側の係合部３１ａにストッパー杆２８が係合されてアーム杆２１が使用位置（図１２参照）に変換されている状態においては、第一実施例で説明した車椅子２の前進時における場合と全く同じ段差越え作用が得られる。また、操作レバー３２による変換操作を介して、図１１ロに示すように、上側の係合部３１ｃにストッパー杆２８を係合してアーム杆２１を待機位置（図１３参照）に変換した状態にあっては、進路上の比較的低い轍や石等に略円弧状支持面２２が不用意に接触して邪魔になる不具合を防止することができる。
【００３２】
そして、上記のように、アーム杆２１を待機位置（図１３参照）に変換した状態において、図１４イに示すように、車椅子２の後退時に、その進行方向に段差３３があった場合、径大な後部側の車輪６，６が該段差３３を乗り越えると、図１４ロに示すように、アーム杆２１の下端に具備された略円弧状支持面２２が段差３３の稜部に当接する。ここで、さらに後退を続けると、アーム杆２１を車椅子２の前部側に回動させようとする回転モーメント力が生じるが、該アーム杆２１は、支持軸１３側のストッパー片２４に、アーム杆２１側の突起片２５が当接して前方回動位置が規定されていることにより、その回転モーメント力が支持軸１３の端部に設けられたストッパー部材２７のストッパー杆２８を介して補助プレート３４に伝達され、図１５に示すように、該補助プレート３４の後部が引張バネ３８の付勢に抗して下方に回動することとなる。これにより、車椅子２の後退に伴って、アーム杆２１が車椅子２の前部側に回動し、段差３３の稜部との当接状態を維持するアーム杆２１によって、図１４ハに示すように、車椅子２の前部側が持ち上げられて前部側の車輪５，５が浮き上がるとともに、該車輪５，５が段差３３に近づいてゆき、遂には該車輪５，５を段差３３上に載せることができる。また、該車輪５，５が段差３３上に載ると、略円弧状支持面２２が前部側の車輪５，５より僅かに高い位置に設けられていることにより、瞬時にアーム杆２１による車椅子２の前部側の持ち上げ作用が消失して、下方回動した補助プレート３４の後部が引張バネ３８の付勢力によって定常位置に復帰し、これに伴って、図１４ニに示すように、支持軸１３とともにアーム杆２１が後方に回動されて待機位置に戻る。これにより、後退時にあっても段差を容易に乗り越えることができる。
【００３３】
尚、上記両実施例では、段差越え装置１を車椅子２に適用した場合について説明したが、本発明にかかる段差越え装置１は、車椅子以外の台車、ショッピングカート、乳母車、シルバーカー、ストレッチャー等の搬送車両にも適用することが可能である。
【００３４】
【発明の効果】
本発明は、上述したように、車体の前部側及び後部側に左右一対の車輪を夫々備えた車椅子等の搬送車両において、少なくとも前部側の車輪の上方に、ブラケットを介して両端部を軸支して車体の幅方向に横架された支持軸と、車体の前後方向に沿って延在する略円弧状支持面を下端に備え、上端が前記支持軸に枢支されて、前部側の車輪の接地点より僅かに高い位置を前後方向に回動するように設けられたアーム杆と、該アーム杆を、前方回動方向に付勢し、かつ前部側の車輪の前方で略円弧状支持面の前端が該車輪の車軸より高くなる使用位置に後方回動可能に保持する保持手段とを備えた段差越え装置であるから、略円弧状支持面が段差の稜部に当接すると、特別な操作を必要とすることなく、自動的に作動するアーム杆によって極めて容易に段差越えを行うことができる。また、既設の車輪をそのまま使用し得るので、該車輪を交換したり除去する必要がない。
【００３５】
また、前記アーム杆を前方回動方向に付勢し、かつ使用位置に後方回動可能に保持する保持手段を、支持軸に巻装されて、一端を支持軸に止着し、他端をアーム杆に止着した捻りコイルバネと、支持軸の外周面に配設されたストッパー片と、アーム杆に配設されて前記ストッパー片に周方向から当接する突起片とによって構成したので、捻りコイルバネによってアーム杆を前方回動方向に付勢して、支持軸側のストッパー片にアーム杆側の突起片を当接させることにより、簡単な構造でありながら、アーム杆を使用位置に後方回動可能に保持する所要の保持作用を得ることができる。
【００３６】
さらに、前記アーム杆を、使用位置と、支持軸を後方に回動させて略円弧状支持面の前端が使用位置での略円弧状支持面の後端より高くなる待機位置とに変換する位置変換手段を具備させることにより、段差越え装置を使用しない場合に、待機位置に変換することにより、収納状態とすることができ、轍や石等にアーム杆の略円弧状支持面が不用意に接触して邪魔になる不具合を防止することができる。
【００３７】
また、前記位置変換手段を、支持軸の一端を軸支するブラケットの内側で、該支持軸の端部近傍に側方に傾動可能に軸支され、かつバネで一方向に付勢される、ストッパー杆を備えたストッパー部材と、前記ブラケットに形成されて、アーム杆の使用位置と待機位置とに対応する位置で、前記ストッパー杆が前記バネの付勢力により夫々係合される係合部と、前記ストッパー部材に基部が固着され、該ストッパー部材を一方向に付勢する前記バネの付勢力に抗してストッパー部材を回動させてストッパー杆と係合部との係合を解除し、かつ支持軸を回動させるための操作レバーとによって構成したので、アーム杆を、使用位置と待機位置とに簡単に変換することができる。
【００３８】
また、前記位置変換手段を、支持軸の一端を軸支するブラケットの内側で、該支持軸の端部近傍に側方に傾動可能に軸支され、かつバネで一方向に付勢される、ストッパー杆を備えたストッパー部材と、前部を支持軸に回動可能に外嵌してブラケットの内側に対設される補助プレートと、該補助プレートに形成されて、アーム杆の使用位置と待機位置とに対応する位置で、前記ストッパー杆が前記バネの付勢力により夫々係合される係合部と、前記補助プレートの後部の定常位置からの上方回動を規制し、かつ下方回動を可能とする回動規制部材と、前記補助プレートの後部を上方回動方向に付勢し、下方回動した補助プレートの後部を定常位置に復帰させる付勢手段と、前記ストッパー部材に基部が固着され、該ストッパー部材を一方向に付勢する前記バネの付勢力に抗してストッパー部材を回動させてストッパー杆と係合部との係合を解除し、かつ支持軸を回動させるための操作レバーとによって構成すれば、アーム杆を、使用位置と待機位置とに簡単に変換することができるとともに、アーム杆を待機位置に変換しておくことにより、搬送車両の後退時にあっても段差を容易に乗り越えることができる。
【００３９】
さらに、支持軸の両端部を軸支するブラケットを、車体を構成する左右のフレームに対して着脱可能に設けるとともに、支持軸を、主体軸と該主体軸の少なくとも一端に進退可能に配設した補助軸とによって構成し、該補助軸の進退作用を介して支持軸を伸縮調整可能に設けたので、着脱可能なブラケットを、車体を構成する左右のフレームに夫々取り付けるとともに、両ブラケットに両端部を軸支させ得る所定の長さに支持軸を伸縮調整することにより、段差越え装置を既存の車椅子等の搬送車両に簡単に取り付けることができる、さらに、補助軸の進退作用を介して、支持軸をブラケットに対して着脱することにより、必要に応じて段差越え装置を取り外したり、再度取り付けたりすることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】第一実施例にかかる段差越え装置を備えた車椅子の概略側断面図である。
【図２】同上の車椅子の概略正面図である。
【図３】ブラケット部分の平面図である。
【図４】支持軸部分の正面図である。
【図５】位置変換手段部分の正面図である。
【図６】位置変換手段部分の側断面図である。
【図７】アーム杆を待機位置に変換した状態を示す車椅子の概略側断面図である。
【図８】車椅子の前進時におけるアーム杆の作用説明図である。
【図９】第二実施例にかかる段差越え装置の位置変換手段部分の正面図である。
【図１０】同上の位置変換手段部分の外面側の側面図である。
【図１１】同上の位置変換手段部分の側断面図である。
【図１２】第二実施例にかかる段差越え装置を備えた車椅子の概略側断面図である。
【図１３】アーム杆を待機位置に変換した状態を示す同上の車椅子の概略側断面図である。
【図１４】車椅子の後退時におけるアーム杆の作用説明図である。
【図１５】位置変換手段が具備する補助プレートの作用説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１　段差越え装置
２　車椅子（搬送車両）
３　車体
４　フレーム
５　車輪
８　ブラケット
１３　支持軸
１４　主体軸
１５ａ，１５ｂ　補助軸
２１　アーム杆
２２　略円弧状支持面
２３　捻りコイルバネ
２４　ストッパー片
２５　突起片
２６　車軸
２７　ストッパー部材
２８　ストッパー杆
３０　バネ
３１ａ，３１ｂ，３１ｃ　係合部
３２　操作レバー
３４　補助プレート
３６　固定螺子（回動規制部材）
３８　引張バネ（付勢手段）[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wheelchair, a cart, a shopping cart, a baby carriage, a silver car, a stretcher, and the like each having a pair of left and right wheels on the front side and the rear side of the vehicle body (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as “wheelchairs”). The present invention relates to a step-over device that can be used for a transport vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
If there is a step-like height difference or a step such as a groove on the floor surface or the road surface, it becomes an obstacle to the passage of a transport vehicle such as a wheelchair. Accordingly, various configurations that can overcome such a step have been proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-11002, 2000-309203, and 10-181609.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-11002 and 2000-309203 relate to casters and wheels provided with a plurality of rotating wheels, which are used in existing wheelchairs and the like. When applied to a transport vehicle, there is a problem that the existing casters and wheels need to be replaced, and the removed existing casters and wheels become unnecessary.
[0004]
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-181609, an intermediate auxiliary wheel is disposed between a front wheel and a rear wheel, and the intermediate auxiliary wheel is moved up and down via a lever operation. Since it is necessary to operate the lever every time it is attempted, not only is it troublesome, but also in the state where the intermediate auxiliary wheel is pushed downward, the rear part of the bogie must be pushed down or raised using the intermediate auxiliary wheel as a fulcrum. Therefore, there is a problem that considerable labor is required.
[0005]
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be installed without removing casters and wheels provided on an existing transfer vehicle such as a wheelchair, and can easily cross a step without any effort when crossing a step. It is intended to provide a device.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a transportation vehicle such as a wheelchair provided with a pair of left and right wheels on the front side and the rear side of the vehicle body, respectively. A support shaft extending in the width direction of the vehicle and a substantially arc-shaped support surface extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body are provided at the lower end, and the upper end is pivotally supported by the support shaft to contact the front side wheel. An arm rod provided so as to rotate in a front-rear direction at a position slightly higher than a point, and an arm-shaped support surface for urging the arm rod in a forward rotation direction and in front of a front wheel. And a holding means for holding the front end of the wheel at a use position higher than the axle of the wheel so as to be rotatable backward.
[0007]
Here, a bracket that supports both ends of the support shaft and horizontally traverses the support shaft in the width direction of the vehicle body is integrated with a mounting bracket that is detachably attached to left and right frames forming the vehicle body, It is arranged on both left and right sides of the vehicle body.
[0008]
In such a configuration, when a transport vehicle such as a wheelchair advances, when there is a step forward in the traveling direction, first, a substantially arc-shaped support surface provided at the lower end of the arm rod contacts the ridge of the step, When the forward movement is further continued, the front side of the transport vehicle is lifted by the arm rod that maintains the contact state, and the wheels on the front side are lifted, and the arm rod rotates rearward as the transport vehicle advances, As a result, the wheels on the front side approach the step, and finally the wheels can be put on the step. Further, when the wheel is mounted on the step, the substantially arc-shaped support surface is provided at a position slightly higher than the front wheel, so that the arm rod can instantly lift the front side of the transport vehicle by the arm rod. The arm rod disappears and rotates forward through the urging action of the holding means, and returns to the use position. Thus, when the substantially arc-shaped support surface comes into contact with the ridge of the step, the step can be very easily performed by the automatically operated arm rod without any special operation. Further, since the existing wheel can be used as it is, there is no need to replace or remove the wheel.
[0009]
Here, as holding means for urging the arm rod in the forward rotation direction and holding the arm rod rotatably rearward in the use position, the arm rod is wound around a support shaft, and one end is fixed to the support shaft. What consists of a torsion coil spring whose end is fixed to the arm rod, a stopper piece arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft, and a projection piece arranged on the arm rod and abutting on the stopper piece from the circumferential direction. Suggested. In such a configuration, the arm rod is urged in the forward rotation direction by the torsion coil spring, and the projection piece on the arm rod side is brought into contact with the stopper piece on the support shaft side. The required holding action of holding the arm rod in the use position so as to be able to rotate backward can be obtained.
[0010]
Further, the arm rod is converted into a use position and a standby position in which the front end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface is turned to a standby position where the front end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface is higher than the rear end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface in the use position by rotating the support shaft backward. A configuration including a conversion unit is proposed. In such a configuration, when the step-over device is not used, it can be put into the stowed state by changing to the standby position, and the substantially arc-shaped support surface of the arm rod comes into careless contact with a rut or a stone. It is possible to prevent troubles that may be in the way.
[0011]
As the position converting means, a stopper is supported inside the bracket that supports one end of the support shaft, near the end of the support shaft so as to be tiltable laterally, and is urged in one direction by a spring. A stopper member provided with a rod, an engaging portion formed on the bracket, and the stopper rod is engaged by a biasing force of the spring at a position corresponding to a use position and a standby position of the arm rod; A base is fixed to the stopper member, the stopper member is rotated against the urging force of the spring for urging the stopper member in one direction, and the engagement between the stopper rod and the engaging portion is released, and There has been proposed a configuration including an operation lever for rotating the support shaft. With this configuration, the arm rod can be easily converted between the use position and the standby position.
[0012]
In addition, the position converting means is pivotally supported so as to be tiltable laterally near an end of the support shaft inside a bracket that supports one end of the support shaft, and is urged in one direction by a spring. A stopper member having a stopper rod, an auxiliary plate rotatably fitted to the front part of the support shaft to be opposed to the inside of the bracket, and formed on the auxiliary plate to use the arm rod at a use position and a standby position At the position corresponding to the position, the stopper rods are respectively engaged by the urging force of the spring, and the upward rotation of the rear portion of the auxiliary plate from the steady position is restricted, and the downward rotation is restricted. A rotation restricting member, a biasing means for urging a rear portion of the auxiliary plate in an upward rotation direction, and returning a rear portion of the auxiliary plate rotated downward to a normal position, and a base fixed to the stopper member And the stopper member is moved in one direction. It is proposed that the stopper member be rotated against the urging force of the spring to be disengaged to release the engagement between the stopper rod and the engaging portion and the operation lever be used to rotate the support shaft. Is done.
[0013]
In such a configuration, the arm rod can be easily converted between the use position and the standby position, and the arm rod is converted to the standby position, and when the transport vehicle is moved backward to cross the step, the arm rod is moved. When the retreat continues while the substantially arc-shaped support surface of the rod is in contact with the ridge of the step, the rear part of the auxiliary plate holding the arm rod at the standby position by the engagement of the stopper rod and the engagement part moves downward. The arm rod rotates together with the support shaft toward the front side of the transport vehicle, so that the front side of the transport vehicle is lifted by the arm rod, the front wheels are lifted, and the further transport vehicle is moved. With the retreat, the wheels on the front side approach the step, and finally the wheels can be put on the step. Further, when the wheel is mounted on the step, as described above, the lifting action of the arm rod on the front side of the transport vehicle is instantaneously lost, and the rear part of the auxiliary plate that has been rotated downward is biased by the biasing force of the biasing means. As a result, the arm rod is returned to the normal position, and the arm rod is rotated backward together with the support shaft to return to the standby position. This makes it possible to easily get over the step even when the vehicle is moving backward.
[0014]
Further, brackets for supporting both ends of the support shaft are provided detachably with respect to the left and right frames constituting the vehicle body, and the support shaft is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat to at least one end of the main shaft and the main shaft. There has been proposed a configuration in which an auxiliary shaft is used, and a support shaft is provided so as to be able to expand and contract through the advancing and retracting action of the auxiliary shaft. In such a configuration, the detachable bracket is attached to each of the left and right frames constituting the vehicle body, and the support shaft is extended and contracted to a predetermined length that allows both ends to be supported by both brackets. The step-over device can be easily attached to an existing transport vehicle such as a wheelchair, and the support shaft is attached to and detached from the bracket via the advance / retreat action of the auxiliary shaft. Or can be reattached.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wheelchair will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle body 3 of a wheelchair 2 to which the step-over device 1 according to the present invention is mounted is composed of a pair of left and right frames 4 and 4 having a predetermined shape. A relatively small pair of wheels 5 and 5 made of casters are arranged on the side of the unit, and a pair of large diameter wheels 6 and 6 are arranged on the rear side of the vehicle body 3. The left and right frames 4 and 4 constituting the vehicle body 3 are connected to each other via a link mechanism (not shown), and the body mechanism 3 can be folded by reducing the mutual interval by the link mechanism.
[0016]
Above the front wheels 5, 5, mounting brackets 7, 7 are detachably mounted on left and right frames 4, 4 constituting the vehicle body 3, and are integrated with the mounting brackets 7, 7. Brackets 8, 8 are provided on both left and right sides of the vehicle body 3. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, each mounting bracket 7 includes holding pieces 9a and 9b divided into right and left, and flange portions 10a and 10b projecting from the holding pieces 9a and 9b on both front and rear sides, respectively. With the holding pieces 9a and 9b addressed to the left and right sides of the frame 4, the bolts 11 and 11 are inserted through the front and rear flange portions 10a and 10a and the flange portions 10b and 10b facing each other. The protruding ends are screwed into the nuts 12 and 12 and tightened to attach them to the frame 4 respectively. Further, each bracket 8 is fixed to a holding piece 9a located inside the vehicle body 3 via a fixing means such as screwing or welding, so that the bracket 8 is integrated with the mounting bracket 7 so as to be forward. It is protruded.
[0017]
Above the front wheels 5, the support shafts 13 are laterally mounted in the width direction of the vehicle body 3 by fitting both ends to the brackets 8 and rotatably supporting the brackets 8. ing. Here, as shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 4, the support shaft 13 includes a main shaft 14 and auxiliary shafts 15a and 15b disposed at both ends of the main shaft 14 so as to be able to advance and retreat. The support shaft 13 can be adjusted to expand and contract via the advancing and retreating action of the auxiliary shafts 15a and 15b. The auxiliary shafts 15a and 15b are respectively inserted into both ends of a hollow main shaft 14 so as to be able to advance and retreat, and extend from left and right long holes 16a and 16b formed near both ends of the main shaft 14. The fixing screws 17a and 17b to be screwed in can be fixed with a required projection length. Thus, the support shaft 13 can be laid on the existing wheelchair 2 with respect to the brackets 8, 8 provided on the left and right frames 4, 4 having various widths by adjusting the expansion and contraction thereof. ing. In the main shaft 14, a coil spring 18 which is in contact with both fitting ends of the auxiliary shafts 15a and 15b is mounted in a compressed state, and a fixing screw 17b of one auxiliary shaft 15b is attached to the head thereof. When the auxiliary shaft 15b is loosened through the operation knob 19 provided, the auxiliary shaft 15b projects outward within the range of the elongated hole 16b by the urging force of the coil spring 18. Thereby, the fitting operation of the auxiliary shaft 15b to the bracket 8 can be easily performed.
[0018]
An arm rod 21 is pivotally supported at the approximate center of the support shaft 13 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction by externally fitting a cylindrical base 20 fixed to the upper end to the main shaft 14. The lower end of the arm rod 21 has a substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 3. A slightly higher position is provided at a predetermined length that can be rotated in the front-rear direction. Here, the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 is formed so as to coincide with the circumference of an imaginary circle centered on the support shaft 13, but is almost a circle other than the one having a smooth continuous curve and an arc shape. A short straight line portion obtained by cutting a part of a polygon may be continuous in an arc shape.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 4, one end of a torsion coil spring 23 wound around the main shaft 14 of the support shaft 13 is fixed to one end of the cylindrical base 20 of the arm rod 21. The other end is fixed to an annular spring stopper 39 fixed to the main shaft 14. The torsion coil spring 23 is disposed in an appropriate torsion state, and urges the arm rod 21 in the forward rotation direction by its resilient force. At the other end of the cylindrical base 20 of the arm rod 21, a stopper piece 24 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the main shaft 14, and the stopper piece 24 projecting from the side edge of the cylindrical base 20 and surrounding the stopper piece 24. A protruding piece 25 abutting from the direction is provided, and the protruding piece 25 and the stopper piece 24 define a forward rotation position of the arm rod 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the arm piece 21 is urged in the forward rotation direction by the projecting piece 25, the stopper piece 24, and the torsion coil spring 23, and the front of the front wheels 5,5. Thus, a holding means for holding the front end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 rotatably rearward at a use position where the front end is higher than the axle 26 of the wheels 5, 5 is formed.
[0020]
Next, the arm rod 21 is moved to the use position shown in FIG. 1 and the support shaft 13 is rotated backward so that the front end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 is moved from the rear end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 at the use position. The position conversion means for converting the position into the standby position (see FIG. 7) where the height is also higher will be described.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 4, inside the bracket 8 that supports one end of the support shaft 13, near the end of the auxiliary shaft 15a constituting one end of the support shaft 13, the auxiliary shaft 15a is straddled. A stopper member 27 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) having a substantially C-shape is pivotally supported by a support shaft 29 so as to be tiltable to the side, and a stopper rod is provided outward from the zenith of the stopper member 27. 28 are formed. As shown in FIG. 5, the support shaft 29 is wound around a spring 30 composed of a torsion coil spring having one end fixed to the auxiliary shaft 15a and the other end fixed to the stopper member 27. The stopper member 27 is urged outward by 30 so that the distal end of the stopper rod 28 can be engaged with one of engagement portions 31a and 31b of the bracket 8 described later. Further, a base of an operation lever 32 is fixed to the stopper member 27, and the operation lever 32 causes the stopper member 27 to move inward against the urging force of the spring 30, as shown by a chain line in FIG. To release the engagement between the stopper rod 28 and the engaging portions 31a and 31b, and to rotate the support shaft 13.
[0022]
On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the bracket 8 that supports the auxiliary shaft 15a, the stopper rods 28 are respectively provided at positions corresponding to the use position and the standby position of the arm rod 21 as shown in FIGS. Two engaging portions 31a and 31b formed of concave grooves to be engaged are formed.
[0023]
Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, in a state where the stopper rod 28 is engaged with the lower engaging portion 31a and the arm rod 21 is changed to the use position (see FIG. 1), the operation lever 32 is used to move the spring. When the stopper member 27 is rotated inward against the urging force of the lever 30 to release the engagement between the stopper rod 28 and the engaging portion 31a, the support shaft 13 can rotate together with the arm rod 21. Then, the arm lever 21 is rotated backward together with the support shaft 13 by the operation lever 32, and the stopper rod 28 is engaged with the upper engaging portion 31b via the urging force of the spring 30, as shown in FIG. Thus, the arm rod 21 can be changed to the standby position (see FIG. 7). Note that the operation of converting the arm rod 21 from the standby position to the use position can be performed in a procedure reverse to the above.
[0024]
In this configuration, when the wheelchair 2 moves forward, if there is a step in the forward direction of the wheelchair 2, the arm rod 21 is converted to the use position in advance, so that, first, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8B, as the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 provided at the lower end of the rod 21 contacts the ridge of the step 33 and continues to advance, the arm rod 21 maintains the contact state. The front side of the wheelchair 2 is lifted to lift the front wheels 5,5, and the arm rod 21 rotates rearward as the wheelchair 2 advances, whereby the front wheels 5,5 are rotated. Approaching the step 33, and finally the wheels 5, 5 can be put on the step 33 as shown in FIG. When the wheels 5, 5 are placed on the step 33, the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 is provided at a position slightly higher than the wheels 5, 5 on the front side. 2, the lifting action on the front side disappears, and the arm rod 21 rotates forward through the urging action of the torsion coil spring 23 provided in the holding means, and the support for defining the forward rotation position of the arm rod 21. The protrusion 25 on the arm rod 21 contacts the stopper piece 24 on the shaft 13, and the arm rod 21 returns to the use position as shown in FIG. 8D. Thus, when the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 comes into contact with the ridge of the step 33, the step can be extremely easily performed by the arm rod 21 that operates automatically without any special operation. On the other hand, by converting the arm rod 21 to the standby position, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 carelessly comes into contact with a rut, a stone, or the like, and gets in the way. It should be noted that the step-over device 1 can obtain the same step-over effect as described above even with a step formed by a groove in addition to a step formed by a step-like height difference occurring on a floor surface or a road surface as shown in the figure. it can.
[0025]
FIGS. 9 to 15 show a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration of the position converting means for converting the arm rod 21 between the use position and the standby position is changed so that the wheelchair 2 can be moved backward. It is designed to be able to get over a step.
[0026]
In the second embodiment, one bracket 8 on which an auxiliary shaft 15a forming one end of the support shaft 13 is supported is held as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and the like. The flanges 10a, 10a on the front side of the pieces 9a, 9b are extended forward to form a bracket, so that they are integrated with the mounting bracket 7.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 9, 11 and the like, an auxiliary plate 34 whose front portion is rotatably fitted to the auxiliary shaft 15a is provided inside the bracket 8 in a paired manner. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the above-described stopper rod is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary plate 34 at a position corresponding to the use position (see FIG. 12) and the standby position (see FIG. 13) of the arm rod 21. Two engaging portions 31a and 31c are formed, each of which is formed by a concave groove with which each of the engaging portions 28 is engaged. Here, the lower engaging portion 31a is provided at the same position as the engaging portion 31a of the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), but the upper engaging portion 31c is provided at the same position as the engaging portion of the first embodiment. 31b (see FIG. 6). Thus, when the stopper rod 28 is engaged with the engaging portion 31c to convert the arm rod 21 to the standby position (see FIG. 13), the front end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 is moved to the standby position (in the first embodiment). (See FIG. 7).
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, an arc-shaped long hole 35 is formed at the rear of the auxiliary plate 34 so as to coincide with the circumference of an imaginary circle centered on the auxiliary shaft 15a. The base of the fixing screw 36 inserted through 35 is screwed to the holding piece 9 a of the mounting bracket 7. Thus, the rear portion of the auxiliary plate 34 is rotatable up and down within the length of the elongated hole 35. Further, the position where the shaft portion 36 'of the fixing screw 36 abuts on the lower inner end of the elongated hole 35 and the upward rotation of the rear portion of the auxiliary plate 34 is regulated is the steady position of the rear portion of the auxiliary plate 34. I have. The fixing screw 36 is a rotation restricting member that restricts the upward rotation of the rear portion of the auxiliary plate 34 from the steady position and enables the downward rotation. The rotation restricting member may be formed by a locking projection protruding from the lower edge of the auxiliary plate 34 so as to contact the lower edge of the holding piece 9a from below.
[0029]
Further, between the rear end of the auxiliary plate 34 and a support piece 37 formed by extending the flange 10b on the rear side of the holding piece 9a upward, the rear part of the auxiliary plate 34 is pivoted upward. A tension spring 38 is provided to urge the spring. Thus, an urging means for returning the rear part of the auxiliary plate 34 rotated downward to the normal position is configured.
[0030]
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and overlapping description will be omitted.
[0031]
In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 11A, in a state where the stopper rod 28 is engaged with the lower engaging portion 31a and the arm rod 21 is changed to the use position (see FIG. 12), Exactly the same effect of stepping over the wheelchair 2 as described in the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the state in which the stopper rod 28 is engaged with the upper engaging portion 31c to convert the arm rod 21 to the standby position (see FIG. 13) through the conversion operation by the operation lever 32. In this case, it is possible to prevent a problem that the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 carelessly comes into contact with a relatively low rut, a stone, or the like on the course of the route.
[0032]
In the state in which the arm rod 21 is converted to the standby position (see FIG. 13) as described above, when the wheelchair 2 retreats and there is a step 33 in the traveling direction as shown in FIG. When the large rear wheels 6, 6 get over the step 33, the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 provided at the lower end of the arm rod 21 comes into contact with the ridge of the step 33, as shown in FIG. Here, if the retreat is further continued, a rotational moment force is generated to rotate the arm rod 21 to the front side of the wheelchair 2, but the arm rod 21 is attached to the stopper piece 24 on the support shaft 13 side by an arm. Since the projection 25 on the side of the rod 21 abuts and the forward rotation position is defined, the rotational moment force is applied to the auxiliary plate via the stopper rod 28 of the stopper member 27 provided at the end of the support shaft 13. As shown in FIG. 15, the rear portion of the auxiliary plate 34 rotates downward against the urging of the tension spring 38. As a result, as the wheelchair 2 retreats, the arm rod 21 rotates toward the front side of the wheelchair 2 and is kept in contact with the ridge of the step 33, as shown in FIG. The front side of the wheelchair 2 is lifted to lift the front wheels 5,5, and the wheels 5,5 approach the step 33, and finally put the wheels 5,5 on the step 33. Can be. When the wheels 5, 5 are placed on the step 33, the substantially arc-shaped support surface 22 is provided at a position slightly higher than the wheels 5, 5 on the front side. The lifting action on the front side of 2 disappears, and the rear part of the auxiliary plate 34, which has been rotated downward, returns to the steady position by the urging force of the tension spring 38. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. The arm rod 21 is rotated backward together with the shaft 13 and returns to the standby position. This makes it possible to easily get over the step even when the vehicle is moving backward.
[0033]
In both of the above embodiments, the case in which the step-over device 1 is applied to the wheelchair 2 has been described. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a transfer vehicle.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention, as described above, in a transport vehicle such as a wheelchair provided with a pair of left and right wheels on the front side and the rear side of the vehicle body, at least above the front wheels, both ends via brackets A support shaft which is pivotally supported and is laterally extended in the width direction of the vehicle body, and a substantially arc-shaped support surface extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is provided at a lower end, and an upper end is pivotally supported by the support shaft, and a front portion is provided. An arm rod that is provided so as to rotate in a front-rear direction at a position slightly higher than the ground point of the side wheel, and urges the arm rod in a forward rotation direction, and in front of the front wheel. The step-over device includes a holding means for holding the front end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface rearwardly rotatable at a use position higher than the axle of the wheel, so that the substantially arc-shaped support surface abuts the ridge of the step. When touched, the arm rod automatically operates without any special operation, Easily step over can be performed. Further, since the existing wheel can be used as it is, there is no need to replace or remove the wheel.
[0035]
Further, a holding means for urging the arm rod in a forward rotation direction and holding the arm rod rotatably rearward in a use position is wound around a support shaft, one end is fixed to the support shaft, and the other end is fixed to the support shaft. The torsion coil spring is constituted by a torsion coil spring fixed to the arm rod, a stopper piece disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft, and a projection piece disposed on the arm rod and abutting against the stopper piece from the circumferential direction. The arm rod is urged in the forward rotation direction, and the protrusion on the arm rod side is brought into contact with the stopper piece on the support shaft side. It is possible to obtain a required holding action for holding as much as possible.
[0036]
Further, a position where the arm rod is converted into a use position and a standby position where the support shaft is rotated backward so that the front end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface is higher than the rear end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface at the use position. By providing the conversion means, when the step-over device is not used, it can be stored by converting to the standby position, and the substantially arc-shaped support surface of the arm rod can be inadvertently applied to a rut or a stone. It is possible to prevent a trouble that may be hindered by contact.
[0037]
In addition, the position converting means is pivotally supported so as to be tiltable laterally near an end of the support shaft inside a bracket that supports one end of the support shaft, and is urged in one direction by a spring. A stopper member provided with a stopper rod, and an engaging portion formed on the bracket and corresponding to a use position of the arm rod and a standby position, wherein the stopper rod is engaged by the urging force of the spring. A base is fixed to the stopper member, and the stopper member is rotated against the urging force of the spring for urging the stopper member in one direction to release the engagement between the stopper rod and the engaging portion, Further, since the arm lever is constituted by the operation lever for rotating the support shaft, the arm rod can be easily converted between the use position and the standby position.
[0038]
In addition, the position converting means is pivotally supported so as to be tiltable laterally near an end of the support shaft inside a bracket that supports one end of the support shaft, and is urged in one direction by a spring. A stopper member having a stopper rod, an auxiliary plate rotatably fitted to the front part of the support shaft to be opposed to the inside of the bracket, and formed on the auxiliary plate to use the arm rod at a use position and a standby position At the position corresponding to the position, the stopper rods are respectively engaged by the urging force of the spring, and the upward rotation of the rear portion of the auxiliary plate from the steady position is restricted, and the downward rotation is restricted. A rotation restricting member, a biasing means for urging a rear portion of the auxiliary plate in an upward rotation direction, and returning a rear portion of the auxiliary plate rotated downward to a normal position, and a base fixed to the stopper member And the stopper member is moved in one direction. The arm may be constituted by an operating lever for rotating the stopper member against the urging force of the spring to be disengaged to disengage the stopper rod from the engaging portion and for rotating the support shaft. The rod can be easily converted between the use position and the standby position, and the arm rod can be converted to the standby position, so that the step can be easily overcome even when the transport vehicle moves backward.
[0039]
Further, brackets for supporting both ends of the support shaft are provided detachably with respect to the left and right frames constituting the vehicle body, and the support shaft is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat to at least one end of the main shaft and the main shaft. Since the supporting shaft is provided so as to be able to expand and contract through the advancing and retreating action of the auxiliary shaft, detachable brackets are respectively attached to left and right frames constituting the vehicle body, and both end portions are attached to both brackets. By adjusting the length of the support shaft so that the support shaft can be extended and retracted, the step-over device can be easily attached to an existing vehicle such as a wheelchair. By attaching and detaching the shaft to and from the bracket, the step-over device can be removed or reattached as necessary.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a wheelchair provided with a step-over device according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the wheelchair.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bracket portion.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a support shaft portion.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a position conversion unit.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a position conversion unit.
FIG. 7 is a schematic side sectional view of the wheelchair showing a state in which the arm rod has been changed to the standby position.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the arm rod when the wheelchair is moved forward.
FIG. 9 is a front view of a position converting unit of the step-over device according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a side view of an outer surface side of the position conversion unit of the above.
FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the position conversion unit of the above.
FIG. 12 is a schematic side sectional view of a wheelchair provided with a step-over device according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the wheelchair showing the state where the arm rod is changed to the standby position.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the operation of the arm rod when the wheelchair is retracted.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of an auxiliary plate provided in the position conversion unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Stepping over device
2 Wheelchair (transportation vehicle)
3 Body
4 frames
5 wheels
8 bracket
13 Support shaft
14 Main axis
15a, 15b auxiliary shaft
21 Arm rod
22 Substantially arc-shaped support surface
23 Torsion coil spring
24 stopper piece
25 Projection piece
26 axles
27 Stopper member
28 stopper rod
30 spring
31a, 31b, 31c engaging portion
32 Operation lever
34 Auxiliary plate
36 Fixing screw (rotation restricting member)
38 Tension spring (biasing means)

Claims

In a transport vehicle such as a wheelchair having a pair of left and right wheels on the front side and the rear side of the vehicle body,
At least above the front side wheels, a support shaft that is laterally supported in the width direction of the vehicle body by supporting both ends via a bracket,
The lower end is provided with a substantially arc-shaped support surface extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the upper end is pivotally supported by the support shaft, and pivots in the front-rear direction at a position slightly higher than the ground contact point of the front wheel. Arm rod provided to
Holding means for urging the arm rod in a forward rotation direction and rotatably holding the arm rod rearward at a use position where the front end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface is higher than the axle of the wheel in front of the front wheel; And a step-over device for a transport vehicle such as a wheelchair.

A holding means wound around the support shaft, one end of which is fixed to the support shaft and the other end of which is fixed to the arm rod; a stopper piece disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft; 2. The step-over device for a transport vehicle such as a wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is provided with a projection that abuts the stopper from the circumferential direction.

Position conversion means for converting the arm rod into a use position and a standby position in which the front end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface is turned to a standby position where the front end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface is higher than the rear end of the substantially arc-shaped support surface in the use position by rotating the support shaft backward. The step-over device for a transport vehicle such as a wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is provided.

A stopper rod is provided in which a position converting means is pivotally supported in the vicinity of an end of the support shaft so as to be tiltable laterally inside a bracket which supports one end of the support shaft, and is urged in one direction by a spring. A stopper member provided,
An engagement portion formed on the bracket, wherein the stopper rod is respectively engaged by a biasing force of the spring at a position corresponding to a use position and a standby position of an arm rod;
A base is fixed to the stopper member, the stopper member is rotated against the urging force of the spring for urging the stopper member in one direction, and the engagement between the stopper rod and the engaging portion is released, and 4. The step-over device for a transport vehicle such as a wheelchair according to claim 3, comprising an operation lever for rotating the support shaft.

A stopper rod is provided in which a position converting means is pivotally supported in the vicinity of an end of the support shaft so as to be tiltable laterally inside a bracket which supports one end of the support shaft, and is urged in one direction by a spring. A stopper member provided,
An auxiliary plate that is rotatably fitted to the support shaft on the front part and is opposed to the inside of the bracket;
An engagement portion formed on the auxiliary plate, wherein the stopper rod is engaged by a biasing force of the spring at a position corresponding to a use position and a standby position of the arm rod;
A rotation restricting member that restricts upward rotation of the rear portion of the auxiliary plate from a steady position, and that allows downward rotation.
Urging means for urging the rear part of the auxiliary plate in the upward rotation direction and returning the rear part of the auxiliary plate rotated downward to a steady position;
A base is fixed to the stopper member, the stopper member is rotated against the urging force of the spring for urging the stopper member in one direction, and the engagement between the stopper rod and the engaging portion is released, and 4. The step-over device for a transport vehicle such as a wheelchair according to claim 3, comprising an operation lever for rotating the support shaft.

Brackets for supporting both ends of the support shaft are detachably provided to left and right frames constituting the vehicle body, and the support shaft is provided at a main shaft and at least one end of the main shaft so as to be able to advance and retreat. The step-over device for a transport vehicle such as a wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the support shaft can be extended and contracted through an advance / retreat action of the auxiliary shaft.