JP2008237594A - Walking aid - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the width of a walking aid compact when a support is folded. <P>SOLUTION: The walking aid includes the support 3 attached to a base 7 in such a way as foldable; a pair of left and right wheel frames 6 to which wheels are attached; a connection mechanism 22 for attaching the wheel frames 6 to the base in such a way as oscillatable in the cross direction; and an opening/closing mechanism 23 to interlock with the folding of the support 3 for narrowing the space between the left and right wheel frames 6 and to interlock with the erection of the support 3 for widening the space between the left and right wheel frames 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a walking aid that assists walking of an elderly person or a physically handicapped person. More specifically, the present invention relates to a walking aid that can fold a column to which a handle is attached.

  As a foldable walking aid, for example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-166843. As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, this walking assist device has a column 102 and a rear wheel arm 103 attached to a chassis 101 so as to be foldable in the vertical direction. The support column 102 is provided with a handle 104 that can be grasped by the user. A front wheel caster 105 is attached to the bottom surface of the chassis 101, and a rear wheel caster 106 is attached to the bottom surface of the rear wheel arm 103. The left and right rear wheel arms 103 are provided at positions separated from each other, so that stability during use is achieved.

  In this walking assist device, the column 102 and the rear wheel arm 103 are folded so as to be close to each other when viewed from the side, thereby achieving compactness.

JP 2004-166843 A

  However, in the above-described walking aid, the left and right rear wheel arms 103 can be folded in the vertical direction, and the distance between them is not changed even in the folded state. For this reason, although height can be made compact, width cannot be made compact.

  An object of this invention is to provide the walking aid which can make a width | variety compact in the folded state.

  In order to achieve the above object, a walking assist device according to claim 1 is provided with a support column foldably attached to a base, a pair of left and right wheel frames to which wheels are attached, and a width of the wheel frame with respect to the base. And a pair of left and right wheel frames in conjunction with the folding of the column, and a pair of left and right wheel frames in conjunction with the upright of the column. An opening / closing mechanism that swings outward in the width direction to widen the interval is provided.

  Therefore, when the column is folded with respect to the base, the pair of left and right wheel frames that are swingably attached by the coupling mechanism are swung toward the inner side in the width direction of the walking aid by the opening / closing mechanism. For this reason, the distance between the pair of left and right wheel frames is reduced. That is, the pair of left and right wheel frames are closed. On the other hand, when the support column folded with respect to the base is raised, the pair of left and right wheel frames are swung toward the outside in the width direction of the walking aid by the opening / closing mechanism. For this reason, the space | interval of a left-right paired wheel frame spreads. That is, the pair of left and right wheel frames are opened.

  In the walking assist device according to claim 2, the opening / closing mechanism includes a cam provided on the support column, a cam follower provided on the wheel frame to move the cam, and a biasing member that presses the cam follower against the cam. The first cam surface has a first cam surface that contacts the cam follower when the support column is folded, and a second cam surface that contacts the cam follower when the support column stands. The first cam surface is the second cam surface. Is more prominent.

  Therefore, when the column is folded or raised with respect to the base, the cam follower provided on the wheel frame moves between the first cam surface and the second cam surface of the cam. Since the first cam surface protrudes more than the second cam surface, the cam follower is pushed away by the cam when the column is raised from the folded state. The cam and the cam follower are provided corresponding to the pair of left and right wheel frames. When the cam follower is pushed away by the cam, the left and right wheel frames are swung toward the outer side in the width direction of the walking assist device, and the distance therebetween is increased. On the other hand, when the support column is folded from the upright state, the cam follower is pressed against the cam by the urging member, whereby the cam follower is pushed back. For this reason, the left and right wheel frames are swung toward the inner side in the width direction of the walking aid, and the interval between them is reduced.

  The walking assist device according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is foldably attached to the base, the pair of left and right wheel frames to which the wheels are attached, and the wheel frame is swingably attached to the base in the width direction. The pair of left and right wheel frames are swung inward in the width direction in conjunction with the coupling mechanism and the folding of the struts to narrow the interval, and the pair of left and right wheel frames are swung outward in the width direction in conjunction with the standing of the struts. Since the opening / closing mechanism is provided to widen the distance, the distance between the pair of left and right wheel frames can be reduced (the wheel frame is closed) by folding the support column, and the walking aid can be made compact. Therefore, it is convenient for storage, and when used as a carrying cart, the wheel frame can be prevented from becoming an obstacle. On the other hand, in the state where the column is erected, the distance between the pair of left and right wheel frames is widened (the wheel frame is opened), so that stability as a walking aid can be ensured. In addition, since the pair of left and right wheel frames can be automatically opened and closed simply by folding or standing the support column, it is not necessary to manually open and close, and it is easy to use.

  Further, in the walking assist device according to claim 2, the opening / closing mechanism includes a cam provided on the support column, a cam follower provided on the wheel frame to move the cam, and a biasing member that presses the cam follower against the cam. The first cam surface has a first cam surface that contacts the cam follower when the support column is folded, and a second cam surface that contacts the cam follower when the support column stands. The first cam surface is the second cam surface. Therefore, the wheel frame can be opened and closed with a compact structure.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail based on the best mode shown in the drawings.

  1 to 3 show an example of an embodiment of the walking aid of the present invention. The walking aid includes a support column 3 to which a handle 1 and a saddle 2 are attached, and a pair of left and right wheel frames 6 to which wheels 4 and 5 are attached. The support column 3 is foldable with respect to the base 7 and can take the form of a chair or a carrying cart in addition to the form of a walking aid used for walking assistance of a person who is usually difficult to walk. . FIG. 1 shows a walking aid, FIG. 2 shows a chair, and FIG. 3 shows a carrying cart. In the form of a carrying cart, for example, a hook 45 is attached to the column 3 and used.

  The attachment structure to the base 7 of the support | pillar 3 is shown in FIGS. In FIG. 10, the right front wheel 4 is not shown. A hole 7 a is provided in the center of the base 7. A support column support portion 8 and a pedal support portion 9 are provided on the upper surface of the base 7. The support columns 8 are provided on the left and right sides of the hole 7 a of the base 7. Further, a pair of left and right pedal support portions 9 are provided at predetermined positions in front of the holes 7a. A receiving plate 7c is provided below the hole 7a. The receiving plate 7 c is provided so as to span between a pair of left and right side plates 7 d provided on the bottom surface of the base 7.

  A cylindrical portion 10 is provided at the lower end of the column 3. The cylindrical portion 10 is disposed between the left and right column support portions 8, and the first rotation center shaft 11 is passed through the shaft hole 8 a of the column support portion 8 and the shaft hole 10 b of the end plate 10 a of the cylinder portion 10. The cylindrical portion 10 is rotatably attached to the support column support 8, in other words, the support column 3 is swingably attached to the base 7. By swinging the column 3 with respect to the base 7, the column 3 can be folded or raised. The first rotation center shaft 11 is prevented from coming off from the support column support portion 8 and the cylindrical portion 10 by retaining members 12 fitted at both ends thereof. The left and right end plates 10a are screwed to the peripheral plate 10c, for example. The peripheral plate 10c is provided with slits 13 to 15 at three positions with a predetermined interval.

  A pedal 16 is swingably attached to the left and right pedal support portions 9. The upper end edge of the pedal 16 is provided with a shaft hole portion 16c. The shaft hole portion 16c is disposed between the left and right pedal support portions 9, and the second hole is formed in the shaft hole 9a and the shaft hole portion 16c of the pedal support portion 9. The pedal 16 is swingably attached to the pedal support portion 9 by passing through the rotation center shaft 18. The pedal 16 is provided with a locking claw 16 a that is inserted into the slits 13 to 15 of the cylindrical portion 10. Rollers 17 that roll with respect to the peripheral plate 10c of the cylindrical portion 10 are attached to the left and right portions of the tip of the locking claw 16a. The locking claw 16 a is inserted into the slits 13 to 15 together with the roller 17. The pedal 16 extends under the base 7 from the hole 7a through the space above the receiving plate 7c. A stepping operation portion 16 b is formed at the lower end of the pedal 16. A return spring 44 is provided between the spring seat 16d formed on the bottom surface of the pedal 16 and the spring seat 7e formed on the top surface of the receiving plate 7c. The pedal 16 is always biased upward by the return spring 44, that is, in the direction in which the locking claw 16a is inserted into the slits 13-15.

  In a state where the locking claw 16 a of the pedal 16 is inserted into any of the slits 13 to 15 of the cylindrical portion 10, the cylindrical portion 10 cannot be rotated with respect to the support column support portion 8. Therefore, the column 3 is locked with respect to the base 7. In the state where the locking claw 16a is inserted into the central first slit 13 among the three slits 13 to 15, the support column 3 is slightly inclined toward the rear of the walking aid as shown in FIG. is doing. That is, it is in the form of a walking aid. Further, in the state where the locking claw 16a is inserted in the second slit 14 provided in front of the first slit 13, the support column 3 is slightly inclined toward the front as shown in FIG. Yes. That is, the walking aid is in the form of a chair. Furthermore, in a state where the locking claw 16a is inserted into the third slit 15 provided behind the first slit 13, the support column 3 is folded as shown in FIG. That is, the walking aid is in the form of a carrying cart. By operating the pedal 16, that is, by stepping on the stepping operation portion 16 b, the pedal 16 is swung against the urging force of the return spring 44, the locking claw 16 a is removed from the slits 13 to 15, and the column 3 is swung. By inserting the locking claws 16a into the other slits 13 to 15, the form of the support column 3 can be changed in three stages.

  The left and right end plates 10a of the cylindrical portion 10 of the support column 3 are provided with stoppers 19 that come into contact with the support column support portion 8 when the support column 3 is raised to an angle that forms a chair. Inserting the locking claw 16a into the second slit 14 prevents the support column 3 from falling down even if the seated person leans on the support column 3 in the form of a chair. By making it hit 8 times, double safety against falling of the support column 3 is achieved.

  The base 7 is covered with an upper cover 20 and a lower cover 21. The upper cover 20 is provided with a notch 20a. The support 3 is extended from the notch 20a and the support 3 can be swung. The lower cover 21 is also provided with a notch 21a. The pedal 16 extends from the notch 21a and the pedal 16 can be swung.

  In the walking aid of the present invention, when the column 3 is folded, the distance between the left and right wheel frames 6 is reduced. That is, the walking aid is used to fold the support column 3 and a pair of left and right wheel frames 6 to which the wheels 4 and 5 are attached, a connection mechanism 22 that attaches the wheel frame 6 to the base 7 so as to be swingable in the width direction. The pair of left and right wheel frames 6 are swung inward in the width direction in conjunction with each other to narrow the interval, and the pair of left and right wheel frames 6 are swung outward in the width direction in conjunction with the upright of the column 3 to widen the interval. A mechanism 23 is provided.

  The wheel frame 6 is shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 show the wheel frame 6 on the right side. The right wheel frame 6 and the left wheel frame 6 are symmetrical. The wheel frame 6 is, for example, a gently curved pipe-like member, and a front wheel 4 is provided on the bottom of the front part, and a rear wheel 5 is provided on the rear end. The front wheel 4 is a caster whose direction can be changed. That is, the yoke 4 a that rotatably supports the front wheel 4 is attached to the block body 24 accommodated in the wheel frame 6 by the screw 25. A bearing 26 is provided between the yoke 4 a and the screw 25, and the yoke 4 a is rotatable with respect to the screw 25. The yoke 5a of the rear wheel 5 is fitted to the rear end of the wheel frame 6 so as not to drop off.

  The coupling mechanism 22 is shown in FIGS. In FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the front wheel 4 is not shown. The coupling mechanism 22 is provided for each of the left and right wheel frames 6. The coupling mechanism 22 includes a frame support shaft 27 and a swing limit shaft 28 attached to the upper surface of the base 7, and a stay 29 provided on the front inner surface of the wheel frame 6. Are inserted into the first small hole 29a and the second small hole 29b into which the swing limit shaft 28 is inserted. The planar view shape of the first small hole 29a has a circular shape, and the planar view shape of the second small hole 29b has an arc shape centered on the first small hole 29a. Therefore, the wheel frame 6 can swing horizontally around the frame support shaft 27 within a range in which the swing limit shaft 28 can move in the second small hole 29b. A retaining member 30 (FIG. 4) is provided at the tip of the frame support shaft 27 and the swing limit shaft 28 to prevent the stay 29 from coming off from the base 7.

  The opening / closing mechanism 23 is provided for each of the left and right wheel frames 6. The opening / closing mechanism 23 includes a cam 31 provided on the column 3, a cam follower 32 provided on the wheel frame 6 to move the cam 31, and a biasing member 33 that presses the cam follower 32 against the cam 31. Has a first cam surface 31a that abuts the cam follower 32 when it is folded, and a second cam surface 31b that abuts the cam follower 32 when the support column 3 stands up. It protrudes from the second cam surface 31b.

  The cams 31 are respectively provided on the left and right end plates 10a of the cylindrical portion 10 and have an arc shape centered on the shaft hole 10b. Therefore, the cam follower 32 does not come off the cam 31 even when the cylindrical portion 10 rotates with respect to the support column support portion 8. The first cam surface 31a of the cam 31 protrudes while being gently inclined toward the second cam surface 31b. On the other hand, the protruding amount of the second cam surface 31b is constant. In the carrying cart form, the cam follower 32 is located at a portion where the first cam surface 31a protrudes the smallest amount, in this embodiment, at a portion adjacent to the inclined surface of the end plate 10a of the cylindrical portion 10, and the walking aid form and chair In the form, the cam follower 32 is positioned on the second cam surface 31b. That is, in the present embodiment, the first cam surface 31a includes a portion adjacent to the inclined surface of the end plate 10a.

  The cam follower 32 is, for example, a roller. The cam follower 32 is rotatably attached to the inner surface of the stay 29. The biasing member 33 is, for example, a coil spring. The urging member 33 is disposed in a slightly contracted state between a spring seat 29 c provided on the stay 29 and a spring seat 7 b provided on the upper surface of the base 7. In the present embodiment, a protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the side plate of the stay 29 to constitute the spring seat 29c. The spring seat 29c of the stay 29 is provided at a position closer to the cylindrical portion 10 than the spring seat 7b of the base 7, and the urging member 33 is located farther from the frame support shaft 27 than the swing limit shaft 28. Thus, the urging force of the urging member 33 acts in the direction in which the cam follower 32 is pressed against the cam 31, that is, in the direction in which the distance between the left and right wheel frames 6 is reduced.

  When the support column 3 is folded with respect to the base 7, the pair of left and right wheel frames 6 that are swingably attached by the coupling mechanism 22 are swung toward the inner side in the width direction of the walking aid by the opening / closing mechanism 23. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 15, the distance between the pair of left and right wheel frames 6 is reduced. Therefore, the space | interval of a pair of right and left wheel frames 6 can be narrowed by folding the support | pillar 3, and when using as a carrying cart, the left and right wheel frames 6 are closed and the said wheel frame 6 is prevented from getting in the way. be able to. Further, for example, when the column 3 is folded and stored, it can be made compact.

On the other hand, when the column 3 folded with respect to the base 7 is raised, the pair of left and right wheel frames 6 are swung toward the outside in the width direction of the walking aid by the opening / closing mechanism 23. For this reason,
As shown in FIG. 16, the distance between the pair of left and right wheel frames 6 increases. Therefore, the distance between the pair of left and right wheel frames 6 is widened in the state where the support column 3 is erected, so that stability when used as a walking aid or a chair can be ensured.

  In the walking aid of the present invention, when the column 3 is folded, the yoke 4a of the front wheel 4 that is a caster is locked. That is, the walking aid includes a front wheel 4 and a rear wheel 5 for moving the base 7, and at least one of the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 that is far from the handle 1 when the column 3 is folded is a caster. A lock mechanism 34 is provided for locking the yoke of the caster in a state of facing the front of the wheel in conjunction with the folding of the column 3 and releasing the locking of the yoke in conjunction with the standing of the column 3.

  In this embodiment, the support | pillar 3 is folded back and it is made the form of a carrying cart. Further, when the support column 3 is folded backward, the wheel farther from the handle 1 is the front wheel 4, and the front wheel 4 is a caster as described above. The yoke 4a of the front wheel 4 is provided with a recess 36 into which the tip of the lock pin 35 is inserted. The recess 36 is provided at a position behind the screw 25 on the upper surface of the yoke 4a.

  The lock mechanism 34 is provided for each of the left and right wheel frames 6. The lock mechanism 34 includes, for example, a slider 37 that slides in the wheel frame 6, a lever 38 that is swung by the slider 37, a lock pin 35 that is retracted into the wheel frame 6 by the lever 38, and the lock pin 35 that is attached to the wheel frame 6. A biasing member 39 that biases in the direction of projecting from the operation pin 40 and an operation pin 40 that moves the slider 37 are provided.

  The operation pin 40 is provided on the side surface of the base 7 and protrudes through the slit 6 a of the wheel frame 6 to the cutout portion 37 a of the slider 37. Since the operation pin 40 is fixed to the base 7 and the wheel frame 6 swings with respect to the base 7, the relative position of the operation pin 40 with respect to the wheel frame 6 changes back and forth. The slider 37 is moved back and forth by the operation pin 40 in conjunction with the swinging motion of 6. That is, when the wheel frame 6 swings in the opening direction, that is, in the direction in which the distance between the left and right wheel frames 6 opens, the operation pin 40 moves rearward relative to the wheel frame 6, and the slider 37 moves the wheel frame. 6 to move backward. Conversely, when the wheel frame 6 is swung in the closing direction, that is, in the direction in which the distance between the left and right wheel frames 6 is narrowed, the operation pin 40 moves forward relative to the wheel frame 6, and the slider 37 is moved to the wheel. Move forward relative to the frame 6. In this case, the slider 37 is stopped when the operation pin 40 is moving idle in the cutout portion 37a of the slider 37, and the operation pin 40 contacts the front edge 37b or the rear edge 37c of the cutout portion 37a. After contact, the slider 37 is moved forward or backward. A long slot 37d that is elongated in the vertical direction is provided in the front portion of the slider 37.

  The lever 38 is swingably attached to the wheel frame 6 by a swing center shaft 41. On the upper portion of the lever 38, a connecting portion 42 inserted into the long hole 37d of the slider 37 is provided. Therefore, when the slider 37 moves rearward, the connecting portion 42 is lifted and the lever 38 swings upward. On the other hand, when the slider 37 moves forward, the lever 38 swings downward by the weight of the lever 38 and the biasing force of the biasing member 39. A lift arm 38 a that operates the lock pin 35 is provided at the center of the lever 38.

  The lock pin 35 is inserted into the holder 43 and attached downward to a position that can face the recess 36 formed in the yoke 4 a of the front wheel 4. A biasing member 39 is provided between the large diameter portion 35 a of the lock pin 35 and the upper plate of the holder 43. The front end of the lock pin 35 protrudes from the lower plate of the holder 43, and the rear end protrudes from the upper plate of the holder 43. In the vicinity of the rear end of the lock pin 35, a lift pin 35b that is lifted by a lift arm 38a of the lever 38 is provided.

  When the wheel frame 6 is swinging in the opening direction, that is, in the form of a walking aid and a chair, the operation pin 40 moves the slider 37 backward, and the lever 38 swings upward. Since it is moving, the lift arm 38 a lifts the lift pin 35 b of the lock pin 35 against the biasing force of the biasing member 39, and the tip of the lock pin 35 is pulled into the wheel frame 6. Therefore, the locking of the yoke 4a of the front wheel 4 is released, and the front wheel 4 functions as a caster.

  When the column 3 is folded from this state and swings in the direction in which the wheel frame 6 is closed, the slider 37 is moved forward by the operation pin 40 and the lever 38 swings downward, so that the lock pin 35 can be lowered. become. At this time, when the tip of the lock pin 35 does not face the recess 36 of the yoke 4a, the tip of the lock pin 35 is in contact with the upper surface of the yoke 4a, and the yoke 4a is unlocked. Since it continues, the direction change of the front wheel 4 is possible. When the recess 36 provided in the yoke 4 a faces the lock pin 35 by changing the direction of the front wheel 4, the lock pin 35 is pushed out by the urging force of the urging member 39 and is fitted into the recess 36. As a result, the yoke 4a is locked, and the direction of the front wheel 4 cannot be changed. That is, in the form of the carrying cart, the front wheel 4 serving as the grounding wheel is locked in a forward-facing state. In the case of the carrying cart, the left and right front wheels 4 and the front end surfaces of the left and right wheel frames 6 can be made to stand independently.

  Thus, since the grounding wheel in the form of a carrying cart, in this embodiment, the front wheel 4 can be locked in a forward-facing state in conjunction with the folding operation of the support column 3, it is necessary to manually lock the direction of the grounding wheel by manual operation. There is no. Moreover, when returning from the form of a carrying cart to the form of a walking assist device, the lock of the grounding wheel in the form of the carrying cart can be released in conjunction with the standing operation of the support column 3. For this reason, it is not necessary to manually unlock the direction of the grounding ring by manual operation. For these reasons, it is very easy to use.

  Note that the present invention can also be applied to a walking aid in which the rear wheel 5 is a caster and the support column 3 is folded forward to form a carrying cart. In this case, since the handle 1 is grasped and the front end of the wheel frame 6 is lifted, the rear wheel 5 becomes a grounding wheel. That is, the yoke 5a of the rear wheel 5 may be locked / unlocked in conjunction with the movement of the wheel frame 6.

  Further, the swinging motion of the wheel frame 6 is used to lock and unlock the yoke of the wheel that becomes the ground wheel in the form of a carrying cart. The yoke may be locked / unlocked.

  A height adjusting mechanism 80 of the handle 1 and a brake operation transmission mechanism are shown in FIGS. The handle 1 is supported by a column 3 composed of a hollow column rod 3a fitted and connected to the handle 1 and a cylindrical column pipe portion 3b in which the column rod 3a can slide in and out. And the height of the handle | steering_wheel 1 is adjusted by the support | pillar rod 3a being drawn in to the support | pillar pipe part 3b, or being pulled out from the support | pillar pipe part 3b.

  Specifically, the walking aid includes a column 3 with a handle 1 attached to the upper portion and a rear wheel 5 with a brake, and the column 3 is slidably inserted into the column rod 3a and column rod 3a. A support pipe portion 3b, which fixes the positional relationship between the support rod rod 3a and the support pipe portion 3b and allows the support rod rod 3a to slide relative to the support pipe portion 3b when the height of the handle 1 is adjusted. An adjustment mechanism 80, a first transmission member 64 on the handle 1 side and a second transmission member 66 on the brake side for transmitting a brake operation by operating a brake lever 62 attached to the handle 1 to the brake of the rear wheel 5, The positional relationship between the first transmission member 64 and the second transmission member 66 is fixed and the positional relationship between the first transmission member 64 and the second transmission member 66 is released when the height of the handle 1 is adjusted. And a connecting mechanism 65 that.

  The handle 1 has a grip 61 and a brake lever 62. 17 to 20, the grip 61 and the brake lever 62 on the right side of the handle are not shown.

  A plurality of through holes 88 are provided in the peripheral wall of the support rod 3a at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, five through holes 88 are provided on the left side surface of the peripheral wall of the support rod 3a.

  The connection member 63, the first transmission member 64, the connection mechanism 65, and the second transmission member 66 are configured to operate the brake when the grip 61 and the grip 62a of the brake lever 62 are clamped and the brake lever 62 is operated. Is transmitted to pull the brake operation wire 71.

  A swing support shaft 62b is provided at the end of the brake lever 62 opposite to the grip 61, that is, the end opposite to the grip 62a that is gripped together with the grip 61 by the user. The swing support shaft 62b is a shaft that is fixed to the handle 1 and that rotatably supports the brake lever 62 through a through hole provided at an end of the brake lever 62 opposite to the grip portion 62a.

  The brake lever 62 has a connecting projection 62c that protrudes from the side surface of the brake lever 62 at a position between the grip portion 62a and the swing support shaft 62b and above the hollow portion of the support rod 3a.

  A connecting member 63 is connected to the brake lever 62. The connecting member 63 is connected to the brake lever 62 by a through-hole 63a provided on the upper end side being rotatably fitted to the connecting protrusion 62c.

  A first transmission member 64 is coupled to the lower end of the coupling member 63. The first transmission member 64 is coupled to the coupling member 63 by fitting a hook 64 a formed at the upper end into a long hole 63 b provided on the lower end side of the coupling member 63.

  The first transmission member 64 is formed in an elongated plate shape, the upper end is curved and a hook 64a is formed, and a plurality of through holes 64b are provided from the bottom to the lower end of the hook 64a. In the present embodiment, five through holes 64b are provided. The number and interval of the through holes 64b are matched with the number and interval of the through holes 88 provided in the peripheral wall of the support rod 3a. Moreover, the 1st transmission member 64 is arrange | positioned in the support | pillar rod 3a so that the opening of the through-hole 64b may face the front.

  Even when the height of the handle 1 is adjusted by the connecting mechanism 65, that is, when the positional relationship between the support rod 3a and the support pipe portion 3b is changed, the connection is made when the brake lever 62 is operated. The brake operation transmitted to the first transmission member 64 via the member 63 is transmitted to the second transmission member 66.

  The coupling mechanism 65 is fixedly provided on the front surface of the upper end of the support pipe portion 3b. The coupling mechanism 65 includes a clamping member 65c that slidably penetrates the plate-like first transmission member 64, and a male screw 65b that protrudes from and is fixed to the front surface of the clamping member 65c and penetrates the peripheral wall of the column pipe portion 3b. And a grip 65a having a female screw that is screwed with the male screw 65b.

  The second transmission member 66 includes an upper connecting portion 66a, an intermediate body portion 66b, a lower wire connecting portion 66d, and a locking portion 66e provided at the lower end of the wire connecting portion 66d. It has become.

  The connecting portion 66a has a through hole for allowing the first transmission member 64 to pass therethrough, and has a connecting pin 66c protruding into the hole at the front position of the inner peripheral surface of the through hole.

  The main body portion 66b of the second transmission member 66 is formed in a U-shape, and is disposed in the support pipe portion 3b with the first transmission member 64 sandwiched from the left and right in a U-shaped recess with the opening facing upward. ing. However, a slight gap is provided between the left and right side surfaces of the first transmission member 64 and the inner side surface of the second transmission member main body portion 66b, and can move freely. The main body portion 66b of the second transmission member 66 is attached to the lower surface of the connecting portion 66a with the upper end screwed.

  At the lower end of the rod-shaped wire connecting portion 66d connected to the lower end of the main body portion 66b of the second transmission member 66, two brake operation wires 71 of the left and right rear wheels 5 are provided via the locking portions 66e. It is connected. In the present embodiment, an engagement ball portion 71a is formed at the tip of the brake operation wire 71, and the engagement ball portion 71a is locked to the locking portion 66e.

  When the grip 65a of the coupling mechanism 65 is turned and the male screw 65b is pulled into the grip 65a, the axis of the first transmission member 64 clamped by the clamping member 65c is substantially the center of the support pipe portion 3b. It is adjusted so that it is located above. In this state, the connecting pin 66 c of the second transmission member 66 is fitted into the through hole 64 b of the first transmission member 64. Thereby, the positional relationship between the first transmission member 64 and the second transmission member 66 is fixed, and the brake operation is transmitted.

  With the above-described configuration, when the grip 61 of the handle 1 and the grip portion 62a of the brake lever 62 are clamped, the brake lever 62 is pulled up and swings about the swing support shaft 62b. Thereby, the connection protrusion 62c between the grip part 62a and the swing support shaft 62b moves upward, and the connection member 63 connected by the connection protrusion 62c is pulled up. Then, the brake operation wire connected to the lower end is transmitted by the brake operation when the brake lever 62 is operated by the connection member 63, the first transmission member 64, the connection mechanism 65, and the second transmission member 66. 71 is pulled.

  One end of the brake operation wire 71 is connected to the second transmission member 66 at the lower end of the support pipe portion 3b, and passes through the upper cover 20, the lower cover 21, and the wheel frame 6 from the lower end of the support pipe portion 3b. The brake shoe 72 is provided at the rear end of the wheel frame 6.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the brake shoe 72 is attached to a brake frame 70 attached to the inner peripheral surface of the rear end of the wheel frame 6 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 73. The brake shoe 72 rotates with respect to the brake frame 70 and the braking surface 72 a presses the tire 5 to suppress the rotation of the tire 5.

  A brake operation wire 71 is connected to the end of the brake shoe 72 opposite to the braking surface 72a. In the present embodiment, an engagement ball portion 71 b is formed at the tip of the brake operation wire 71, and the engagement ball portion 71 b is locked to the brake shoe 72. As a result, when the brake operation wire 71 is pulled by the operation of the brake lever 62, the brake shoe 72 rotates and the braking surface 72a is pressed against the tire 5 to be braked.

  Here, an urging spring 68 is interposed between the upper surface of the locking portion 66e at the lower end of the second transmission member 66 and the partition plate 67 that is fixedly provided at the lower portion of the support pipe portion 3b. The urging spring 68 is urged downward by the action of the urging spring 68, whereby the brake operation wire 71 is urged in the pushing direction. In the present embodiment, as the urging spring 68, a compression coil spring is provided around the rod-shaped wire connecting portion 66d.

  Further, a stopper 71c is fixed around the brake shoe wire 71 on the side of the brake shoe 72 side, that is, the front end of the locking ball portion 71b. Further, the brake frame 70 is fixed with a cap 74 through which the brake operation wire 71 penetrates and a stopper 71c is fitted to perform a function.

  When the load is not applied to the brake lever 62, the locking portion 66e at the lower end of the second transmission member 66 is moved by the weight of the first transmission member 64 and the second transmission member 66 and the action of the biasing spring 68. The brake operation wire 71 is pushed out toward the rear wheel 5 until it is biased downward and the stopper 71c fits into the cap 74 and hits. As a result, the opposite side of the braking surface 72a of the brake shoe 72 is pushed to the rear wheel 5 side, and the urging force that rotates about the rotation shaft 73 is applied to the brake shoe 72, and the braking surface 72a is separated from the rear wheel 5. Since the state is maintained, the brake does not operate.

  The walking aid of the present invention further has a height adjustment mechanism 80. The height adjusting mechanism 80 fixes the support rod 3a and the support pipe portion 3b while adjusting the degree of the support rod 3a entering the support pipe portion 3b, that is, while changing the length of the support post 3 as a whole. Both are fixed and the height of the handle 1 can be adjusted according to the user.

  In this embodiment, the height adjusting mechanism 80 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the support pipe portion 3b. Further, the height adjusting mechanism 80 is disposed in accordance with the position of the through hole 88 in the peripheral wall of the support rod 3a, and in this embodiment, is disposed on the left side surface of the support pipe portion 3b.

  The height adjusting mechanism 80 includes an oscillating body 81, a button 82, a torsion spring 83, a penetrating pin 84, an oscillating body rotating shaft 85, and a penetrating pin rotating shaft 86. The whole is covered with the height adjustment mechanism cover 87, and only the button 82 penetrates the surface of the height adjustment mechanism cover 87 facing the peripheral wall of the support pipe portion 3 b and protrudes from the height adjustment mechanism cover 87.

  The oscillating body 81 is fixed to the height adjusting mechanism cover 87 so as to be rotatable by an oscillating body rotating shaft 85 penetrating the intermediate portion.

  The button 82 is provided so as to be able to enter and exit the height adjusting mechanism 80 through a surface of the height adjusting mechanism cover 87 facing the peripheral wall of the support pipe portion 3b. The end portion of the button 82 on the support column 3 side is in contact with the portion near the upper end of the swing body 81, and when the button 82 is pressed, a biasing force is applied to press the upper portion of the swing body 81 toward the support column 3 side.

  The torsion spring 83 is provided by being wound around the oscillating body rotation shaft 85. The torsion spring 83 is interposed between the surface of the height adjusting mechanism cover 87 facing the peripheral wall of the support pipe part 3b and the lower part of the swinging body 81, and the biasing force that pushes the lower part of the swinging body 81 into the support 3 side. Is given to the oscillator 81.

  The penetrating pin 84 is rotatably fixed to the lower portion of the rocking body 81 by a penetrating pin rotating shaft 86. And when the penetration pin 84 is pushed in to the support | pillar 3 side, it penetrates the through-hole 89 provided in the surrounding wall of the support | pillar pipe part 3b, and the through-hole 88 of the surrounding wall of the support | pillar rod 3a.

  With the above-described configuration, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, when no load is applied to the button 82, the lower portion of the swinging body 81 is biased toward the support column 3 by the action of the torsion spring 83. Thereby, since the penetration pin 84 connected with the lower part of the rocking | swiveling body 81 penetrates the surrounding wall of the support | pillar pipe part 3b, and the surrounding wall of the support | pillar rod 3a, both are fixed.

  On the other hand, when the button 82 is pushed in, as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. It is done. Accordingly, the oscillating body 81 rotates about the oscillating body rotation shaft 85 against the urging force acting by the torsion spring 83, and the through pin 84 is pulled out from the through hole 88 in the peripheral wall of the support rod 3a.

  The above-described coupling mechanism 65 and height adjusting mechanism 80 can adjust the overall length of the support column 3, that is, the height of the handle 1, and can also operate the brake on it. It becomes.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17C, when no force is applied to the button 82 of the height adjustment mechanism 80, the through pin 84 is connected to the through hole 89 in the peripheral wall of the support pipe portion 3 b and the support rod 3 a. The positional relationship between the two is fixed through the through hole 88 of the peripheral wall. That is, the height adjustment mechanism 80 exhibits the effect of locking the height of the handle 1. Note that the state shown in FIG. 17 of the present embodiment is that the penetrating pin 84 passes through the uppermost through hole 88 of the five through holes 88 provided in the peripheral wall of the support rod 3a, and the support rod 3a and the support pipe. The positional relationship with the part 3b is fixed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 17B, when the grip 65a of the coupling mechanism 65 is operated and the male screw 65b is pulled into the grip 65a, the clamping member 65c is fixed substantially on the axial center of the column pipe portion 3b, The connecting pin 66c of the second transmission member 66 passes through the through hole 64b of the transmission member 64, and both are fixed. That is, the connecting mechanism 65 exhibits the effect of locking the brake operation transmission members 64 and 66. In the state shown in FIG. 17 of the present embodiment, the connection pin 66c passes through the uppermost through hole 64b of the five through holes 64b of the first transmission member 64, and the first transmission member 64 and the first transmission member 64 The positional relationship with the second transmission member 66 is fixed.

  Thus, in the state shown in FIG. 17, the positional relationship between the support rod 3a and the support pipe portion 3b is fixed in a state where the support rod 3a is most drawn into the support pipe portion 3b and the overall length of the support post 3 is the shortest. In addition, the positional relationship between the first transmission member 64 and the second transmission member 66 is fixed, and the brake shoe 72 can be operated by operating the brake lever 62 to apply the brake.

  Next, from the state where the connecting mechanism 65 and the height adjusting mechanism 80 shown in FIG. 17 exhibit the locking effect, as shown in FIG. 18B, the grip 65a of the connecting mechanism 65 is operated, and the male screw is inserted from the grip 65a. When 65b is pushed out, the clamping member 65c pushes the first transmission member 64, and the connecting pin 66c of the second transmission member 66 comes out from the through hole 64b. Thereby, the locking of the positional relationship between the first transmission member 64 and the second transmission member 66 by the coupling mechanism 65 is released, and the first transmission member 64 is slid freely with respect to the second transmission member 66. be able to.

  In this state, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18C, when a force for pressing the button 82 of the height adjusting mechanism 80 is applied, the penetrating pin 84 comes out of the through hole 88 in the peripheral wall of the column rod 3a, and the column rod 3a and the column The lock of the positional relationship with the pipe portion 3b is released, and the support rod 3a can be freely pulled out from the support pipe portion 3b.

  Accordingly, in the state shown in FIG. 18, the support rod 3a and the first transmission member 64 can be freely slid with respect to the support pipe portion 3b, so that the height of the handle 1 can be adjusted. Become.

  Then, in the state where the support rod 3a is pulled out from the support pipe portion 3b as shown in FIG. 19, the locking mechanism of the coupling mechanism 65 and the height adjusting mechanism 80 is exerted as shown in FIG. Can be fixed and brake operation can be transmitted.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20C, when the force of pushing the button 82 is released after adjusting the height of the handle 1, that is, how the column rod 3 a is pulled out, the penetrating pin 84 becomes the column pipe portion 3 b. The positional relationship between the through hole 89 of the peripheral wall and the through hole 88 of the peripheral wall of the support rod 3a is fixed. That is, the height adjusting mechanism 80 exhibits the effect of locking the height of the handle 1. Note that the state shown in FIG. 20 of the present embodiment is that the penetrating pin 84 passes through the bottom through-hole 88 of the five through-holes 88 provided on the peripheral wall of the support rod 3a and the support rod 3a and the support pipe portion. The positional relationship with 3b is fixed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 20B, when the grip 65a of the coupling mechanism 65 is operated and the male screw 65b is pulled into the grip 65a, the clamping member 65c is fixed substantially on the axis of the column pipe portion 3b, and the first transmission is performed. The connecting pin 66c of the second transmission member 66 passes through the through hole 64b of the member 64, and both are fixed. In other words, the coupling mechanism 65 exhibits an effect of locking the positional relationship between the brake operation transmission members 64 and 66.

  Thus, in the state shown in FIG. 20, the positional relationship between the support rod 3a and the support pipe portion 3b is fixed in a state where the support rod 3a is pulled out most into the support pipe portion 3b and the entire length of the support column 3 is the longest. In addition, the positional relationship between the first transmission member 64 and the second transmission member 66 is fixed, and the brake shoe 72 can be operated by operating the brake lever 62 to apply the brake.

  According to the height adjustment mechanism 80 and the brake operation transmission mechanism configured as described above, the positional relationship between the support rod 3a and the support pipe portion 3b is fixed and switched to release the handle 1. Can be adjusted, and also when the positional relationship between the support rod 3a and the support pipe portion 3b changes, the brake operation can be transmitted. In addition, since the change in the positional relationship between the support rod 3a and the support pipe portion 3b is absorbed by the brake operation transmission mechanism, the brake operation transmission mechanism such as a brake cable is externally provided as in the prior art. It doesn't come out greatly. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the brake cable from being bent and getting in the way.

  Next, the attachment structure to the support | pillar 3 of the saddle 2 is shown in FIGS. This attachment structure includes a saddle attachment member 51, a spring unit 52, and a saddle support member 56. The saddle 2 is formed in a hollow plate shape, and is attached to the upper surface of the saddle support member 56 with screws. In addition, in the state which attached this support structure to the support | pillar 3, the saddle attaching member 51 side turns into the front side of a walking assistance device, and the saddle 2 side turns into the back side of a walking assistance device.

  Specifically, the walking aid includes a support column 3 with the handle 1 attached to the upper portion and a saddle 2 attached to the support column 3 so as to be swingable, and a saddle mounting member 51 attached to the support column 3; A saddle support member 56 that supports the saddle 2 and has a front portion pivotably connected to a saddle mounting member 51 via a connecting shaft 55, and one end pivotably connected to the saddle mounting member 51 and the other end. Has a spring unit 52 that is swingably connected to the saddle support member 56 via a shaft that revolves around the connecting shaft 55.

  The saddle mounting member 51 has a through hole 51a through which the support pipe portion 3b passes. The saddle mounting member 51 is fixed to the support pipe portion 3b by passing the support pipe portion 3b through the through hole 51a and screwing it.

  A connecting shaft 55 penetrates in the transverse direction in the left-right direction on the front side of the saddle support member 56, that is, near the end on the saddle mounting member 51 side. The saddle support member 56 is swingably connected to the saddle mounting member 51 via the connecting shaft 55.

  Note that, as the first position of the saddle 2, the swinging of the saddle 2 stops when the lower end surface of the saddle 2 in the upright state shown in FIG. To do. Further, as the second position of the saddle 2, the upper surface of the front end of the saddle support member 56 in the side-down state shown in FIG. 24, that is, the seating position, hits the upper wall of the saddle mounting member 51 from below. Oscillation stops.

  A spring unit 52 is interposed between the saddle mounting member 51 and the saddle support member 56. The spring unit 52 is a stretchable member including a coil spring 52d, and exerts an urging force that is attached between the saddle support member 56 and the saddle mounting member 51 in an appropriately compressed state so as to extend.

  The spring unit 52 is provided on both ends of the coil spring 52d, and is disposed on the axial center of the coil spring 52d so as to prevent the coil spring 52d from buckling. And a guide shaft 52b movably connected to the guide shaft 52b.

  The front spring mount 52a is slidably connected to a front support shaft 53 fixed to the rear side of the through hole 51a of the saddle mounting member 51.

  The rear spring mount 52 c is slidably connected to a rear support shaft 54 fixed to the front end of the saddle support member 56.

  The rear support shaft 54 is provided in parallel with the connecting shaft 55. Therefore, the rear support shaft 54 revolves around the connection shaft 55 as the saddle support member 56 swings relative to the saddle mounting member 51 about the connection shaft 55. The rear support shaft 54 is attached so as to revolve around the connecting shaft 55 on the saddle attachment member 51 side including the position where the distance from the front support shaft 53 fixed to the saddle attachment member 51 is the shortest.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 22, in the storage position that is the first position of the saddle 2, the rear support shaft 54 is located below the connecting shaft 55, that is, the front support shaft 53 and the rear support shaft 54. The spring unit 52 is interposed in a section that is longer than the shortest distance therebetween.

  The spring unit 52 exerts an urging force that pushes and spreads between the front support shaft 53 and the rear support shaft 54. As a result, an urging force, which is a rotational force to be pressed against the support pipe portion 3b, is applied to the saddle support member 56, and the saddle 2 collapses unexpectedly when using the walking aid with the saddle 2 standing and stored. Can be prevented.

  Further, in the middle of changing the saddle 2 and the saddle support member 56 from the storage position which is the first position to the seating position which is the second position, as shown in FIG. 23, the front support shaft 53 and the rear support shaft 54 The distance between them is shorter than that in the first position. In this state, the spring unit 52 has a larger urging force than the state in which the saddle 2 is in the first position or the second position, and rotates the saddle 2 to the first position or the second position. Demonstrate the energizing power.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 24, in the seating position that is the second position of the saddle 2, the rear support shaft 54 is located above the connecting shaft 55, that is, between the front support shaft 53 and the rear support shaft 54. The spring unit 52 is interposed in a section that is longer than the shortest distance.

  The spring unit 52 exerts an urging force that pushes and spreads between the front support shaft 53 and the rear support shaft 54. As a result, an urging force that is a rotational force that maintains the pulled-down state is applied to the saddle support member 56.

  According to the mounting structure of the saddle 2 to the support column 3 configured as described above, the saddle 2 can be urged and fixed to both the storage position and the seating position by using one spring unit 52. it can. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide separate urging means for both the storage position and the seating position, and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, when the position of the saddle 2 is changed, the direction in which the biasing force of the coil spring 52d acts and the direction in which the saddle 2 is moved coincide with each other when the coil spring 52d of the spring unit 52 starts to extend past the most contracted state. The force that moves the saddle 2 can be assisted by the coil spring 52d, and the position of the saddle 2 can be changed without requiring a large force.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above description, (a) a structure in which the distance between the left and right wheel frames 6 is narrowed in conjunction with the folding of the support column 3, and (b) a structure in which the grounding ring in the form of a carrying cart is locked in conjunction with the folding of the support column 3 (C) The height adjusting mechanism 80 of the handle 1 and the brake operation transmission mechanism, and (d) the mounting structure of the saddle 2 to the column 3 are all provided, but all of (a) to (d) are necessarily provided. It is not necessary to have at least (a). That is, only (a) may be sufficient, and in addition to (a), at least one of (b), (c), and (d) may be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of embodiment of the walking aid of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which changed the walk auxiliary device into the form of a chair. It is a perspective view which shows the state which changed the walk auxiliary device into the form of the carrying cart. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment part of a base and a support | pillar. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the pedal to the base. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the base and the pedal from diagonally upward. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the base and the pedal from diagonally downward. It is a perspective view which shows the cylindrical part of a support | pillar. It is a perspective view which shows the slit provided in the cylindrical part of the support | pillar. It is a perspective view which shows the state which covered the base with the cover. It is a perspective view which shows a wheel frame. It is sectional drawing which shows the locking mechanism of the state which the wheel frame on either side narrowed. It is sectional drawing which shows the locking mechanism of the state which the wheel frame on either side expanded. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the stay of a wheel frame. It is a top view which shows the state which the wheel frame on either side narrowed by folding of the support | pillar. It is a top view which shows the state which the wheel frame on either side opened by the standing of a support | pillar. It is sectional drawing which looked at the state in which the handle | steering-wheel was locked in the lowest position from the rear side. It is sectional drawing which looked at the state in which the handle | steering-wheel was locked in the lowest position from the left side. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view around the height adjustment mechanism in FIGS. 17A and 17B. It is sectional drawing which looked at the state by which the handle | steering-wheel is unlocked in the lowest position from the rear side. It is sectional drawing which looked at the state by which the handle | steering-wheel is unlocked in the lowest position from the left side. FIG. 19 is an enlarged view around the height adjustment mechanism in FIGS. 18A and 18B. It is sectional drawing which looked at the state in which the handle | steering-wheel is unlocked in the highest position from the rear side. It is sectional drawing which looked at the state in which the handle | steering-wheel is unlocked in the highest position from the left side. It is sectional drawing which looked at the state in which the handle | steering-wheel was locked in the highest position from the rear side. It is sectional drawing which looked at the state in which the handle | steering-wheel was locked in the highest position from the left side. It is sectional drawing which shows the brake structure of a rear wheel. It is sectional drawing which shows the attachment structure to the support | pillar frame part of the saddle in the state where the saddle stood up. It is sectional drawing which shows the attachment structure to the support | pillar frame part of the saddle in the state in the middle of being pulled down from the state where the saddle stood up. It is sectional drawing which shows the attachment structure to the support | pillar frame part of the saddle in the state by which the saddle was pulled down. It is a side view which shows the conventional walking aid, and shows the mechanism part transparently. It is a top view which shows the folded state of the conventional walking aid, and shows a part transparently. It is a side view which shows the state in which the conventional walk aid was folded, and shows a part transparently.

Explanation of symbols

3 Post 4 Front Wheel 5 Rear Wheel 6 Wheel Frame 7 Base 22 Connection Mechanism 23 Opening / Closing Mechanism 31 Cam 31a First Cam Surface 31b Second Cam Surface 32 Roller (Cam Follower)
33 Biasing member

Claims (2)

  A support column foldably attached to the base, a pair of left and right wheel frames to which wheels are attached, a coupling mechanism for swinging the wheel frame in the width direction with respect to the base, and folding of the support column The pair of left and right wheel frames are swung inward in the width direction in conjunction with the width to narrow the interval, and the pair of left and right wheel frames are swung outward in the width direction in conjunction with the upright of the column to widen the interval. A walking aid having an opening and closing mechanism.   The opening / closing mechanism includes a cam provided on the support column, a cam follower provided on the wheel frame that moves the cam, and a biasing member that presses the cam follower against the cam, and the support member is folded on the support column. A first cam surface that comes into contact with the cam follower and a second cam surface that comes into contact with the cam follower when the support column stands up, and the first cam surface is the second cam surface. The walking aid according to claim 1, wherein the walking aid protrudes from the surface.

Images