JP2007277846A - Handrail - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a handrail which enables a user of a bathroom, a toilet or the like, particularly an aged person, a physically handicapped person or the like, to safely and easily make a necessary motion without the need for much labor, despite a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: This handrail 1 comprises both ends 2 and 3, and a linear main body 4 for connecting both the ends 2 and 3 together. The linear main body part 4 is partially provided with at least two curved parts 5 and 5'. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a handrail, and more particularly to a handrail that can be used in a toilet or bathroom.

Conventionally, handrails are provided in bathrooms, toilets, and the like to assist the bathing operation or toilet operation of those users.
In particular, when elderly people or physically disabled people use toilets, the labor required for movement, standing, sitting, squatting, etc., and labor for maintaining posture are inconvenient and inconvenient, and the power of arms is efficiently used. Since it cannot be transmitted to the handrail part, an extra force is used, so that considerable labor is consumed. In order to alleviate or alleviate such problems, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-192189 (Patent Document 1), a straight handrail perpendicular to the side wall of the toilet bowl or a utility model registration No. 3002603 An example in which handrails are provided horizontally on both sides of a toilet is also known as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (Patent Document 2).

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the user can use only one hand, the operation is uneasy and therefore dangerous, and there is a risk that the hand slips and falls, and in the configuration of Patent Document 2, the user However, safety can be improved because both hands can be used, but it can be used only when there is enough toilet space, and there is a problem that the cost increases.

  Similarly, in the bathroom, when a care recipient such as an elderly person or a disabled person takes a bath, the entering / exiting action to the bathtub, the sinking action or the rising action in the bathtub are both inconvenient and inconvenient. In addition, since the force of the arm cannot be efficiently transmitted to the handrail portion, an extra force is used, so that a considerable amount of labor is consumed. In order to reduce this, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-25874 (Patent Document 3), a linear handrail arranged horizontally or vertically is provided on the side wall in the vicinity of the bathtub.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-218357 (Patent Document 4) also discloses that a curved handrail is provided at a corner portion of a bathroom.
In the configuration of the handrail as described in Patent Document 3, the user can be practically used only with one hand, and is particularly uneasy. In particular, the operation of getting up from the bathtub and the action of getting out of the bathtub requires considerable energy. However, the danger is great because its efficient use is insufficient.

  Even if both hands are used, the reach distance to the handrail differs from the right hand and left hand of the user, so if both hands are used, the user needs to twist the body considerably and grasp the handrail. Because it has to take a remarkably cramped posture, it is inconvenient to use and consumes extra labor.

  In addition, since the user has different angles at which the right hand and the left hand intersect with the handrail, there is a drawback that slippage is likely to occur between the user's hand and the handrail and the risk is high. .

  On the other hand, in patent document 4, it is provided in the corner | angular part of a bathroom, and a corner part in order to use it as a grip member or seat member for preventing a fall in the state where the user in the bathroom has come out of the bathtub. Thus, it does not assist the user to enter the bathtub and to exit the bathtub.

JP 11-192189 A Utility Model Registration No. 3002603 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-25874 JP 2004-218357 A

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned problems, and while having a simple configuration, users such as bathrooms and toilets, in particular elderly people or physically handicapped persons, do not need much labor and are safe. Moreover, the present invention provides a handrail that makes it possible to easily perform a necessary operation.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs a basic technical configuration as shown below.
That is, as an aspect of the present invention, there is a handrail comprising both end portions and a linear main body portion connecting the both end portions, and at least two curved portions are provided in a part of the linear main body portion. More specifically, it is a handrail composed of both ends and a linear main body connecting the both ends, and at least two curved portions are provided in a part of the linear main body, Each of the curved portions is a handrail having a predetermined curvature, and an outer apex portion of the curved portion having a predetermined deviation distance from the center axis of the linear main body portion. .

  In the present invention, since it has the above-described technical configuration, a user such as a bathroom or a toilet, particularly an elderly person or a physically handicapped person, etc. without requiring much labor, while having a simple structure. Handrails that enable safe and easy to perform necessary actions are obtained, and especially users of toilets, stairs or bathrooms use both hands to support their bodies and support their bodies While entering and leaving the bathtub, sinking into the bathtub, standing up from the bathtub, etc., it will be possible to perform safely and stably in a stable and stable manner. It is possible to reliably perform a stand-up operation from the toilet bowl in a safe and stable state using both hands.

Below, the structure of the specific example of the handrail concerning this invention is demonstrated in detail, referring drawings.
That is, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a specific example of the handrail according to the present invention, and in the figure, a linear main body 4 connecting both ends 2 and 3 and both ends 2 and 3. A handrail 1 is shown in which at least two curved portions 5 and 5 ′ are provided on a part of the linear main body portion 4.

1A is a side view of the handrail 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a front view thereof.
That is, the handrail according to the present invention is provided on the linear main body 4 made of metal or synthetic resin, which is generally used in the past, and on both ends 2 and 3 of the linear main body 4. At least two curves are provided on at least a part of the linear main body 4 provided between the both end portions 2 and 3 with respect to the handrail composed of the joining member 6 with the side wall portion. The shape portions 5 and 5 'are formed continuously or at a predetermined interval.

  That is, in the handrail 1 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the two continuously provided curved portions 5 and 5 ′ has a predetermined curvature R and the curved shape. Each of the outer vertices P1 and P2 of the portions 5 and 5 ′ has a predetermined deviation distance H from the central axis 7 of the linear main body 4.

The curvature R of the curved portions 5 and 5 ′ in the present invention is measured with reference to the central axis 7 of the curved portion of the handrail.
The curvature R used in the present invention is not particularly limited to a specific value. For example, the curvature R is preferably 50 to 200 mm.

Further, the deviation distance H in the present invention is not particularly limited to a specific value. For example, the deviation distance H is preferably 20 to 100 mm.
Further, in the present invention, the curvature R or the divergence distance H of each of the curved portions 5 and 5 ′ may be the same, or may be different from each other depending on the case. good.

Similarly, each of the bending portions 5 and 5 ′ has the bending portion lengths L1 and L2, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the curved portion lengths L <b> 1 and L <b> 2 are determined from the joint portion of the linear body portion 4 and the curved portion 5 in the handrail 1 to the linear body in the other handrail 1. The length to the joint between the portion 4 and the curved portion 5 or the joint between the straight main body 4 and the curved portion 5 in the handrail 1 and the other curved portion 5 ′ It may be up to a length.

  The lengths L1 and L2 of the respective curved portions are not particularly limited to specific values. For example, the lengths L1 and L2 of the curved portions are preferably 30 to 200 mm.

  In addition, the lengths L1 and L2 of the curved portions 5 and 5 'in the present invention may be the same as each other, or may be different from each other in some cases.

  Similarly, in the present invention, the curvature R, the divergence distance H, and the length L of the bending portion in each of the bending portions 5, 5 ′ may be the same. Needless to say, at least one of them may be different from each other.

  The handrail 1 in the present invention may be processed with an appropriate metal material, or may be formed by molding or injection molding using an appropriate synthetic resin material or ceramic. It may be formed.

  In the handrail 1 in the present invention, as described above, the plurality of curved portions 5 and 5 'are continuous with a part of the linear main body portion 4 of the handrail 1 as shown in FIG. Therefore, a straight line that is a part of the straight main body 4 having an appropriate length is provided between the end portions 2 or 3 and the curved portions 5 and 5 ′. Portions 4-1 and 4-2 are provided.

  In this specific example, two of the plurality of curved portions 5, 5 ′ are continuously arranged adjacent to each other, but as another specific example, three or four curved portions are continuously arranged. And may be arranged.

  As another specific example of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, in a configuration in which two adjacent curved portions 5, 5 ′ are adjacent or two or more curved portions are adjacent to each other, The linear part 4-3 which is a part of the linear main body part 4 of an appropriate length may be inserted into at least a part between the curved parts 5 and 5 '.

  In the present invention, as described above, the reason why the plurality of curved portions 5 and 5 ′ are provided close to each other in a part of the linear body portion 4 is that the handrail 1 is close to the toilet bowl. By being provided on the side wall surface or on the side wall surface close to the bathtub in the bathroom, when those users try to move the body by grasping the handrail 1 with their hands, the force is sufficiently high. In addition, there is a drawback that the operation becomes unstable because it is not transmitted to the mobile phone, and it takes a long time to operate, and at the same time, the situation where the user's hand frequently slips from the handrail is surely improved. Furthermore, the positional relationship between the user's wrist and the handrail 1 can be set to an angle that is optimal for the operation, and the efficiency of the operation can be improved. .

  Furthermore, when the user of the equipment tries to perform each desired operation safely and reliably, the user often tries to operate by holding the handrail 1 with both hands. In the sliding, the length from the base of one arm of the user to the grip position of the handrail 1 and the length from the base of the other arm of the user to the grip position of the handrail 1 are different. Although it is necessary to twist the body forcibly and extend the right hand and the left hand to the handrail 1 and to hold the handrail 1 with both hands to stand up or sit down, it takes excessive effort to the user. Then, the grip portions of the handrail 1 where the right hand and the left hand of the user come into contact can be set at different positions as viewed from the user's body by the plurality of curved portions 5 and 5 ′. Even without twisting the body, it feels easy and easy Well, easily it is possible to hold the handrail 1 with both hands.

  However, in the present invention, the portions of the user's right hand and left hand that are squeezed each have a moderately curved shape, and therefore are easy to grip and do not slip, and the right and left hands overlap. You can avoid feeling pain and pain in your hand.

  Further, in the present invention, the portions where the right hand and the left hand of the user grip and tighten the handrail 1 are formed at some intervals, so that the force of the user is effectively reflected in the movement of the user's body. It becomes possible.

In the present invention, the shapes of the curved portions 5, 5 ′ may be the same or different from each other.
Each of the curved portions 5 and 5 ′ in the present invention has a predetermined curved portion length L and a predetermined radius of curvature R, and the predetermined apex portion P of the curved portion from the central axis line. It has a divergence distance H.

  The dimension in each of the curved portions 5 and 5 ′ in the present invention is an appropriate value selected depending on the department in which the handrail 1 is used and the arrangement position thereof. Appropriate values will be selected depending on the body type, age, degree of disability, etc. of the user who uses each facility.

  For example, the value of the radius of curvature R of the curved portions 5 and 5 ′ is preferably 50 to 200 mm, for example, in order to exhibit the effect of improving grip properties and preventing slipping, The deviation distance H is not particularly limited to a specific value, but is preferably 20 to 100 mm, for example.

Furthermore, in order to obtain the same effect, the length L of the curved portion in the present invention is preferably, for example, 30 to 200 mm.
In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the curvature radius R, the divergence distance H, and the length L of the curved portions of the curved portions 5, 5 ′ are the same. Alternatively, at least some of them may be set to be different from each other as necessary.

  The handrail 1 in the present invention is, for example, in the shape as shown in FIG. 4 (A) or FIG. 4 (B) and is fixed to any appropriate side wall of the bathroom in the vertical, diagonal or horizontal direction. Or may be used by being fixed in the vertical, oblique or horizontal direction on the side wall of the toilet as shown in FIG. 4 (C). .

  Basically, the curved portion 5 that comes into contact with the hand on the side of the base of the arm farther from the handrail 1 within the base of the right arm or the base of the left arm of the user of the facility, It is desirable to project in a direction so as to approach the user's body, and conversely, the curved portion 5 ′ in contact with the hand on the base side of the other arm is a direction away from the user's body. It is desirable that the protrusion is formed.

By configuring in this way, the usage of the user's arm can be balanced, and the force applied to both arms can be equalized.
In some cases, the degree of divergence H of the bending portion 5 that protrudes in a direction approaching the user's body is set to the bending portion 5 ′ that protrudes in a direction away from the user's body. It is also desirable to make the degree of deviation H greater than

  In the present invention, as described above, the outer apex portion P of each of the curved portions 5, 5 ′ is provided on the opposite side to the central axis 7 of the linear body portion 4. Although it is a desirable specific example, in some cases, the apex portion P of each of the curved portions 5, 5 ′ may be provided on the same side with respect to the central axis 7 of the linear body portion 4. good.

  On the other hand, the planes S1 and S2 formed by each of the curved main body portions in the respective curved portions 5 and 5 'in the present invention constitute the same plane as shown in FIG. 5A. However, depending on the environment in which the handrail 1 is used, the planes S1 and S2 formed by the curved main body portions in the respective curved portions 5 and 5 ′ are predetermined as shown in FIG. 5B. The planes S1 ′ and S2 ′ may be different from each other via the angle θ.

  In the present invention, the planes S1 and S2 formed by the curved main body portions in the respective curved portions 5 and 5 'as described above are different from each other as shown in FIG. In this case, the curvature radius R, the divergence distance H, or the bending portion length L of each of the bending portions 5 and 5 ′ may be different from each other.

  That is, in order to change the relative position of the curved portion relative to the linear main body portion in the vicinity of a part of the linear main body portion or an end portion of the linear main body portion and a joint portion with the curved portion. It is preferable that a turning fixing mechanism having a function of making the bending portion turnable or fixed with respect to the linear main body portion is provided.

  In order to realize the above-described specific example, it is possible to design the mold in advance when forming the handrail 1 of the present invention in advance or to process it into such a shape when forming metal. As shown in FIG. 6, the linear main body parts 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 provided between the curved parts 5, 5 'formed at least adjacent to each other or at both ends thereof as shown in FIG. At least a part of each of the linear body parts is divided and fitted so that both of them can swivel with each other. It is also a desirable specific example that an appropriate swivel fixing mechanism 10 having a fixing means that can be fixed is provided.

  The turning fixing mechanism 10 includes, for example, the ends of adjacent annular portions or cylindrical portions connected by a connecting member capable of turning together, and the adjacent annular portions or cylindrical portions turn to a free angle with each other at that position. Any mechanism can be used as long as it can be fixed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), an appropriate protrusion 33 is provided on one of the mutually opposing portions at the end portions of the curved portions 5 and 5 ′, and the opposite end portions. A recess 34 for fitting the projection 33 is provided on one of the two, and both are fitted, and flanges 30 and 30 'are formed at each end, and the flanges 30 and 30' are necessary. It may be configured to be fastened and fixed by an appropriate bolt 31 with an appropriate coupling portion 32 provided by the above.

  In the structure of FIG. 6 (B), the use state is inconvenient because it is touched by the user's hand. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The individual linear main body 4 is divided into at least a part, an annular groove 42 is provided in the vicinity of both ends (4, 4 ′), and the hollow linear main body 4 is provided inside. A cylindrical internal connection tube 40 that can be fitted is inserted, and the annular protrusion 41 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the internal connection tube 40 can be swung so as to be fitted in the groove 42. Further, by using a fixing means 43 such as an appropriate bolt together, it is possible to fix the two in a predetermined relative positional relationship.

It is preferable that the turning fixing mechanism 10 has a configuration in which the fixing portion does not appear on the outer surface of the handrail.
In addition, at least a part of the curved portions 5 and 5 'in the present invention may be formed of a member having a high friction property or covered with a coating layer having a high friction property. It may have a surface shape with a large frictional property in which a plurality of grooves or the like are arranged.

  Next, the inventor of the present application will explain the following in order to clarify the difference in operation effect between the handrail structure 1 according to the present invention and the handrail structure having a linear portion generally used conventionally. A comparative experiment was conducted.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 8 (B), 8 (C), 9 (B), and 9 (C), the linear handrail portion conventionally used on the side wall of the toilet seat and the invention of the present application. Prepared by separately attaching the handrail part having the S-shaped part in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction separately, and when the user stands up from the toilet seat by holding the handrail part with one hand (left hand or right hand) The load acting on is measured.

In the actual experiment of this case, a chair was used instead of a toilet.
Outline of Experiment This experiment was to measure the load acting on the handrail when standing up from the chair using the handrail in the above state.
The handrail used in this experiment includes a general straight handrail as shown in FIG. 7 and a hand having an S-shaped component part of a straight line according to the present invention as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. It was compared with the one made of the same material by sliding.

  In FIG. 7, F is the total load acting on the handrail, Fx is the horizontal component of F, and Fy is the vertical component of F. Fx moves forward, and Fy is considered effective in lifting the body up. It is considered that the handrail is more effectively used when F is larger, and the burden on the foot is considered to be smaller.

Experimental Method The S-shaped handrail was measured by attaching an S-shaped handrail horizontally as shown in FIGS. 8 (B) and 8 (C).
As shown in Fig. 10, the grip position is measured at a position that is easy to grip. Therefore, when measuring with a handrail installed horizontally, hold the handrail with the left hand, and measure with the handrail installed vertically, the right hand I tried to hold it.

Similarly, in the measurement of the linear handrail, as in the case of the S-shaped handrail, the handrail is held with the left hand when the handrail is horizontal, and with the right hand when the handrail is vertical.
The angle of the handrail can be arbitrarily set, but is omitted in this experiment and measured only for the aspect set horizontally and vertically.

Regarding this experiment, the load acting on the handrail was measured with a strain gauge attached to the fixed part of the steel pipe, and the measurement data was taken into a personal computer and processed.
In this experiment, it is assumed that the user is an elderly person, so that the subject under test (student) is adapted to the physical conditions of the elderly, and the measurement is adapted to the physical conditions of the elderly. The subjects were standing with their legs crossed.

Further, in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the experiment was performed by attaching both the S-shaped handrail and the straight handrail vertically.
In this case, the experiment was to hold the handrail with the right hand.
Table 1 shows the dimensions of the chair and the handrail used in the experiment, and Table 2 shows the data of the subjects.

Measurement Results FIGS. 8A and 9A compare the loads acting on the linear handrail and the S-shaped handrail.
FIG. 8A shows measured values when the handrail is installed horizontally, and FIGS. 8B and 8C show the measurement positions.

That is, in FIG. 8B, A is 350 mm, B and C are measured while changing, and C = 250 mm data in which F is the largest among them is shown.
From the above measurement results, it can be seen that the lower the handrail, the greater the load F acting on the S-shaped handrail.

  On the other hand, FIG. 9A shows measured values when the handrail is installed vertically, and FIGS. 9B and 9C show the measurement positions. Here, A is 350 mm, B and C are changed, and measurement is performed. Among them, data of B = 550 mm where F is the largest is shown.

As is clear from the experimental results, it can be seen that the load applied to the S-shaped handrail is larger than that of the straight-type handrail at any position.
From the above, it has been clarified that the S-type handrail is easier to apply force and easier to use than the straight-type handrail.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a specific example of a handrail in the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of another specific example of the handrail in the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of still another specific example. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a use example of a handrail in the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing still another specific example of the handrail in the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing still another specific example of the handrail in the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram analyzing the force applied to the hand-rub in the experiment according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an experimental result when the handrail is set in the horizontal direction in the experiment in the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an experimental result when the handrail is set in the vertical direction in the experiment in the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a hand grip position with a handrail in the experiment in the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the handrail according to the present invention used in the experiment in the present invention. FIG. 12 is a view showing still another specific example of the handrail in the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Handrail 2, 3 Handrail end part 4 Linear main-body part 5, 5 'Curved part 6 Joining member 7 Center axis 10 Rotation fixing mechanism

Claims (17)

  A handrail comprising an end portion and a linear body portion connecting the both end portions, and at least two curved portions are provided on a part of the linear body portion.   Each of the curved portions has a predetermined curvature, and an outer apex portion of the curved portion has a predetermined deviation distance from a central axis of the linear main body portion. The handrail according to 1.   The handrail according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer apex portion of each of the curved portions is provided on a side opposite to the central axis of the linear main body portion.   The handrail according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an outer apex portion of each of the curved portions is provided on the same side with respect to the central axis of the linear main body portion.   The handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein planes formed by the curved main body portions in the respective curved portions constitute the same plane.   The handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein planes formed by the curved main body portions in the respective curved portions constitute different planes.   The handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a radius of curvature R measured at a central axis in each of the curved portions is 50 to 200 mm.   The handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a deviation distance H from the central axis of the apex at the outermost part of each of the curved portions is 20 to 100 mm.   The handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the curved portions has the same divergence distance H and curvature radius R.   9. The handrail according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the deviation distance H and the radius of curvature R is different from each other in each of the curved portions.   The handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of curved portions are continuously formed between the linear main body portions.   The handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a part of the linear main body portion is provided between at least the curved portions formed adjacent to each other.   The handrail according to claim 1, wherein the lengths L of the respective curved portions are the same.   The handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein lengths L of the respective curved portions are different from each other.   In order to change the relative position of the curved portion relative to the linear main body portion in the vicinity of a part of the linear main body portion or an end portion of the linear main body portion and a joint portion with the curved portion. A handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a turning fixing mechanism having a function of enabling or fixing the guide to the linear main body.   The handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein at least a part of the curved portion is formed of a member having a high friction property or has a surface shape having a high friction property. .   The handrail described in any one of claims 1 to 16 is fixed to a side wall of a bathroom, a toilet, a staircase, or extremely cold, along any direction perpendicular, oblique, or horizontal to the floor surface. A handrail characterized by