JP2009039273A - Walking support apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a walking support apparatus in which the operation part of a lifting force setting mechanism can be easily installed at a part where a user easily operates it and the position of the operation of the lifting force setting mechanism can be variably set to the position where the user easily operates it according to the difference of the physique of the user further. <P>SOLUTION: The walking support apparatus 1 includes: a column 2; a suspension rod 3; a human body suspension point 4; a mechanism suspension point 8; an elastic expanding/contracting mechanism 5 suspended at the mechanism suspension point; an adjusting rope 6 whose one end is connected to the lower part of the elastic expanding/contracting mechanism; and the lifting force setting mechanism 7 for setting lifting force to be imparted to a human body suspended at the human body suspension point by adjusting the expanding/contracting amount of the elastic expanding/contracting mechanism by winding or rewinding the adjusting rope. The lifting force setting mechanism 7 includes: a winding part 101 for winding and rewinding the other end part; an operation shaft 108 provided with the operation part (operation handle 107); and a free joint 109 for interconnecting the end part of the winding shaft of the winding part and the end part of the operation shaft. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a walking support device that can install an operation unit of a lifting force setting mechanism for setting a lifting force at a place where a user can easily operate.

2. Description of the Related Art A walking assist device is known in which a coil spring is provided as an elastic stretch body in the middle of a rope to suspend a human body. In this walking support device, a suspension band attached to a user and one end of a suspension rope are connected to each other, the other end of the suspension rope and one end of a coil spring are connected to each other, and the other end of the coil spring and the adjustment rope One end is connected to each other, and the other end of the adjustment rope is connected to the winding shaft of a winder such as an electric operation winch (hereinafter referred to as an electric winch). An operation button for instructing driving and stopping of the electric winch for unwinding is provided. That is, a lifting force setting mechanism for setting a lifting force applied to the human body by adjusting the amount of expansion / contraction of the elastic stretchable body by winding or unwinding the adjustment rope is an electric winch as a winder. And an operation button as an operation unit.
JP 2001-346842 A JP 2002-58712 A

When an electric winch is used as in a conventional walking assist device, a power supply for a motor that drives the electric winch is mounted and wiring is required. Therefore, a failure due to disconnection occurs or the power supply needs to be replaced. A winder such as a manually operated winch (hereinafter referred to as a manual winch) may be used in order to avoid such troubles due to disconnection and power supply replacement, but the winder is fixed to the device frame. If the position of the operation unit of the winder is also fixed, the user may have difficulty operating the operation unit. In this case, it is conceivable to provide an operation unit at a position away from the winder by adding the operation shaft to the winder shaft of the winder so that the user can easily operate. However, since the winding shaft and the operation shaft must be connected so as to be in a straight line, the installation location of the operation unit is limited to the axis of the winding shaft. In this case, depending on the shape of the device frame, there is no space for installing the operation unit above the winder attachment part to the device frame where the hoisting force setting mechanism winder is to be installed, and the operation shaft can be rotated. If there is no place to fix the bearing plate to be supported, the installation site of the winder must be changed, and the installation site of the winder and the operating unit will be restricted. There is a problem that it is difficult to install the operation unit of the lifting force setting mechanism in a place where it is easy to do. There is also a problem that the position of the operation unit of the lifting force setting mechanism cannot be variably set so that the user can easily operate according to the difference in the physique of the user.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can easily install the operating portion of the lifting force setting mechanism at a location that is easy for the user to operate, and can be used according to the difference in the physique of the user. Provided is a walking support device that can variably set the position of an operation unit of a lifting force setting mechanism at a position that is easy for a person to operate.

The walking support device of the present invention has a support, a suspension bar attached to the top of the support so as to perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates in the vertical direction at the fulcrum, and the other end located behind the fulcrum of the suspension bar. The provided human body hanging point, the mechanism hanging point provided at one end located in front of the fulcrum of the hanging rod, the elastic telescopic mechanism suspended at the mechanism hanging point, and the elastic telescopic mechanism at one end The lifting rope applied to the human body suspended at the human body suspension point is set by adjusting the amount of expansion and contraction of the elastic telescopic mechanism by winding and unwinding the adjustment rope connected to the lower part of the body. A hoisting force setting mechanism for the hoisting force, the hoisting force setting mechanism for winding or unwinding the other end, an operation shaft provided with the operation unit, and a winding shaft of the winding unit And a universal joint for connecting the end of the operation shaft and the end of the operation shaft. To.
A support rod, a suspension rod attached to the top of the support column so as to perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates in the vertical direction at a fulcrum, and a human body suspension point provided at the other end located behind the fulcrum of the suspension rod , A mechanism suspension point provided at one end located on the front side of the fulcrum of the suspension rod, an elastic telescopic mechanism suspended from the mechanism suspension point, and an adjustment rope having one end coupled to the lower portion of the elastic telescopic mechanism And a lifting force setting mechanism for setting a lifting force to be applied to the human body suspended at the human body suspension point by adjusting the amount of expansion / contraction of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism by winding or unwinding the adjustment rope; The hoisting force setting mechanism includes a worm gear formed by a worm wheel and a worm, and a winding for winding and unwinding the other end of the adjustment rope by rotating together with the rotation central axis of the worm wheel. And an operation unit equipped with an operation unit. A shaft, and also characterized by comprising a universal joint connecting the end of the operating shaft end of the rotation axis of the worm wheel from one another.
The support column is formed by the left support column and the right support column, the suspension rod is formed by the left suspension rod, the right suspension rod, and the connecting rod that connects the left and right suspension rods, and the left suspension rod is moved up and down at the upper fulcrum of the left support column. A person who is mounted to perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates in the direction and the right suspension rod is mounted to perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates in the vertical direction at the upper fulcrum of the right column, and is located between the left and right suspension rods. Is suspended at the left and right human body suspension points provided on the rear side of the left and right suspension rods.
The elastic telescopic mechanism is provided so as to extend straight downward so as not to be displaced from side to side from the mechanism suspension point provided on the front side of either the left or right suspension rod, and the take-up portion is a mechanism suspension of the left and right suspension rods. It is also provided on the device frame located below the lowering point, and the other end of the adjustment rope is connected to the winding unit via a guide provided on the device frame located below the elastic telescopic mechanism And
A left elastic expansion / contraction mechanism suspended at a mechanism suspension point provided on the front side of the left suspension rod; a right elastic expansion / contraction mechanism suspended at a mechanism suspension point disposed on the front side of the right suspension rod; The left and right winding portions are provided so as to be rotatable together with the rotation center shaft of the worm wheel, and the other end portion of the adjustment rope of the left elastic expansion and contraction mechanism is connected to the left winding portion. The other end portion of the adjustment rope of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism is connected to the right winding portion.
The other end side dimension from the fulcrum of the suspension bar to the human body suspension point of the suspension bar is also longer than the one end side dimension from the fulcrum of the suspension bar to the mechanism suspension point of the suspension bar.
It is also characterized in that an operation unit is installed in a range that can be operated by a user suspended from a human body suspension point.

According to the present invention, the end of the take-up shaft of the take-up portion and the end of the operation shaft are connected by the universal joint, so that the operation portion of the lifting force setting mechanism is placed at a location that is easy for the user to operate. It can be easily installed, or the position of the operating portion of the lifting force setting mechanism can be variably set at a position that is easy for the user to operate according to the difference in the user's physique. That is, it is possible to obtain a walking support device that can install the operation unit at a location that is easy for the user to operate, or that can adjust the height and angle of the operation unit according to the user's body.
Furthermore, since the worm gear is provided, the frictional force due to the meshing between the worm wheel and the worm acts as a brake that restricts the rotation of the winding unit, so that the lifting force setting mechanism for setting the lifting force applied to the human body An inexpensive winding mechanism with a brake mechanism can be adopted as the winding mechanism that constitutes, and an inexpensive walking support device can be obtained.
Since the user located below the left and right suspension rods provided at the upper part of the left and right support rods is suspended at the left and right human body suspension points provided on the rear side of the left and right suspension rods, However, it is possible to provide a walking support device that can easily confirm the front from between the left column and the right column.
The elastic expansion / contraction mechanism is configured to extend straight downward so that it does not shift to the left or right from the mechanism suspension point provided on the front side of either the left or right suspension rod. It is possible to provide a walking support device that does not obstruct the front view of the vehicle.
Since the elastic extension / contraction mechanism is attached to each of the left and right suspension rods, the elastic extension / contraction mechanism does not interfere with the user's front view, and the load applied to the left and right suspension rods can be equalized. It is possible to provide a walking support device that can reduce twisting.
In addition, a suspension bar such as a seesaw is provided, and the other end side dimension from the fulcrum of the suspension bar to the human body suspension point of the suspension bar is larger than the one end side dimension from the fulcrum of the suspension bar to the mechanism suspension point of the suspension bar. Since the length can be increased, it is possible to increase the vertically movable width of the human body suspension point and to increase the lifting force applied to the human body suspension point by the lifting device. That is, it is possible to increase the vertically movable width of the user suspended at the human body suspension point and increase the lifting force for reducing the user's weight load. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a walking support device that can reduce the user's weight load and can follow the user's vertical movement accompanying the user's walking motion to support natural walking. In addition, since the vertically movable width of the mechanism hanging point can be made smaller than the vertically movable width of the human body hanging point, the fluctuation in the lifting force accompanying the vertical movement of the user suspended at the human body hanging point is reduced. it can.
Since the operation unit is installed in a range that can be operated by the user suspended from the human body suspension point, the user can easily adjust the lifting force.

Best form 1
1 to 3 show a walking support device according to the best mode 1 of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows the walking support device seen from the side, FIG. 2 (a) shows a lifting force setting mechanism, and FIG. b) shows the figure seen from A direction of Fig.3 (a), and FIG. 3 shows a walking assistance apparatus.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the outline | summary of the walk assistance apparatus 1 is demonstrated. The walking support device 1 includes a column 2, a suspension rod 3, a human body suspension point 4, an elastic telescopic mechanism 5, an adjustment rope 6, a lifting force setting mechanism 7, a mechanism suspension point 8, a device frame 9, and a wheel as a traveling body. 10 is provided.

  The support column 2 extends vertically. The support 2 is connected to the device frame 9. The device frame 9 includes a base frame portion 33 at a lower portion, and the wheel 10 is provided on the base frame portion 33, and the device 10 is configured to be a walking support device 1 that can move when the wheel 10 rolls.

  The suspension bar 3 is attached to the upper part of the support 2 so as to perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates in the vertical direction at a fulcrum 14. That is, the suspension rod 3 is rotatably attached to the upper portion of the support column 2 with the rotation center shaft 13 as a fulcrum 14, so that one end 12 and the other end 15 of the suspension rod 3 are vertically moved with respect to the fulcrum 14. Perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates in the direction.

The human body suspension point 4 is provided at the other end portion 15 of the suspension rod 3 located behind the fulcrum 14 of the suspension rod 3.
The mechanism suspension point 8 is provided at one end portion 12 of the suspension bar 3 positioned in front of the fulcrum 14 of the suspension bar 3.

  The other end side dimension a from the fulcrum 14 of the suspension bar 3 to the human body suspension point 4 of the suspension bar 3 is longer than the one end side dimension b from the fulcrum 14 of the suspension bar 3 to the mechanism suspension point 8 of the suspension bar 3. .

  The human body suspension rope 16 is suspended from the human body suspension point 4, and the lower end portion 17 of the human body suspension rope 16 and the mounting tool 18 are connected to each other. That is, the wearing tool 18 is suspended by the human body suspension rope 16 in order to support the human body of the user 19 at the human body suspension point 4. Then, when the human body of the user 19 wearing the mounting device 18 is suspended from the human body suspension point 4 by the human body suspension rope 16, the suspension is suspended by the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 including the elastic expansion / contraction body such as the coil spring 51. Power is applied to the user 19, and the user 19 can walk in a state where his / her weight burden is reduced.

  The mechanism suspension point 8 and the upper end attachment portion 22 of the elastic telescopic mechanism 5 are connected to each other by a mechanism suspension rope 20 such as a connection rope or a connection fitting. That is, the elastic telescopic mechanism 5 is suspended by the mechanism suspension rope 20 to the mechanism suspension point 8. One end portion 23 of the adjustment rope 6 is connected to the lower mounting portion 24 of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5, and the adjustment rope 6 is wound or unwound by an operation by the lifting force setting mechanism 7, whereby the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism The coil spring 51 in 5 is expanded and contracted. Thereby, the lifting force by the elastic expansion-contraction mechanism 5 can be set.

  The upper part of the support column 2 is provided with a tipping prevention stopper 29 for restricting the movement of the suspension bar 3 beyond the set value below the human body hanging point 4 and the movement above the set value above the human body hanging point 4. A suspension rod rotation prevention stopper 30 is provided.

  The elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 will be described. The elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 includes a coil spring 51 and a storage case 52 as elastic elastic members. The storage case 52 includes a large-diameter cylinder 53 that is closed at the lower end of the upper end opening, a small-diameter cylinder 54 that is closed at the upper end of the lower end opening, and a fastening cap 55. The inner diameter of the cylinder of the large diameter cylinder 53 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylinder of the small diameter cylinder 54. A groove 58 is formed in the cylindrical wall of the large-diameter cylindrical body 53. The groove 58 extends from the inner peripheral surface 56 of the cylindrical wall of the large-diameter cylindrical body 53 to the outer peripheral surface 57 and extends in a straight line from the upper end opening 59 of the large-diameter cylindrical body 53 toward the lower end. A scale 61 for lifting force is provided on the outer peripheral surface 57 next to the groove 58 in the vertical direction of the groove 58. A pointer 63 that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface 62 is provided below the outer peripheral surface 62 of the cylinder of the small-diameter cylindrical body 54. When the small-diameter cylindrical body 54 is accommodated in the cylinder of the large-diameter cylindrical body 53, the pointer 63 protrudes outside the outer peripheral surface 57 of the large-diameter cylindrical body 53 from the groove 58 via the groove 58. Can be moved up and down. When the pointer 63 is positioned beside a certain scale value of the scale portion 61, the scale portion 61 is formed so that the scale value indicates the lifting force. A threaded portion 64 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 57 of the large-diameter cylindrical body 53 on the upper end opening 59 side. A threaded portion 64 a that is screwed into the threaded portion 64 is formed on the inner wall of the cylinder of the fastening cap 55.

  The elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 includes an anchoring portion 65 provided on the upper bottom surface of the small-diameter cylindrical body 54, with one end 66 of the coil spring 51 coupled to an anchoring portion 65 provided on the lower bottom surface of the large-diameter cylindrical body 53. The other end 68 of the coil spring 51 is connected to 67, and the pointer 63 of the small-diameter cylindrical body 54 is fitted into the cylindrical groove 58 from the upper-end opening 59 side of the large-diameter cylindrical body 53 so that the lower-end opening side of the small-diameter cylindrical body 54 is opened. Is fitted into the inside of the cylinder of the large-diameter cylinder 53. One end portion 66 of the coil spring 51 is attached to the anchoring portion 65, and the other end portion 68 of the coil spring 51 is attached to the anchoring portion 67, so that the coil spring 51 can be connected to the small diameter cylindrical body 54 and the large diameter cylindrical body 53. . The central hole 69 of the fastening cap 55 is positioned so as to surround the outer peripheral surface 62 of the small diameter cylindrical body 54, and the screw portion 64 a of the fastening cap 55 and the screw portion 64 of the large diameter cylindrical body 53 are fastened to each other. The mechanism suspension point 8 of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 and the attachment portion 22 of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 are connected to each other by the mechanism suspension rope 20, and one end 23 of the adjustment rope 6 is fixed to the attachment portion 24 of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5. Then, the other end 25 of the adjustment rope 6 is fixed to the winding frame of the lifting force setting mechanism 7.

  The configuration of the lifting force setting mechanism 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The lifting force setting mechanism 7 includes a winding unit 101, a bearing body 102, a worm gear 105 including a worm wheel 103 and a worm 104 that mesh with each other, a rotation center shaft 106 of the worm 104, an operation shaft 108, A universal joint 109 that connects the other end portion 135 of the rotation center shaft 106 and one end portion 136 of the operation shaft 108 and a circular operation handle 107 as an operation portion provided at the other end portion 131 of the operation shaft 108 are provided. It is formed by a winding mechanism. The winding unit 101 includes a winding drum 111 formed of a drum-shaped cylinder, and a winding shaft 112 serving as a rotation center axis of the winding drum 111. The other end of the adjustment rope 6 is connected to the winding drum 111 so that the adjustment rope 6 can be wound from the other end. The bearing body 102 includes a fixed base 115 fixed to a mounting plate 113 provided in the apparatus frame 9 with bolts 114, a take-up bearing portion 116, and a worm bearing portion 117. The take-up bearing portion 116 is configured by a pair of bearing holes 120; 120 formed in a pair of vertical plates 118; 119 that rise vertically from the fixed base 115 and face each other in parallel. The worm bearing portion 117 is provided on the upper side of one vertical plate 119 and has a bearing hole 122 formed in the horizontal plate 121 orthogonal to the one vertical plate 119, and the surface of the fixed base 115 facing the horizontal plate 121 in parallel. And the bearing hole 123 formed in the outer periphery.

  The worm 104 is formed by a cylinder with both ends open and having a screw formed on the outer periphery. In a state where the worm 104 is installed between the horizontal plate 121 and the fixed base 115 so that the openings at both ends of the cylinder of the worm 104 face the pair of bearing holes 122; 123, one end of the rotation center shaft 106 of the worm 104 125 is inserted into the bearing hole 123 through the bearing hole 122 and the cylinder of the worm 104. The rotation center shaft 106 and the worm 104 are coupled to each other by a coupling material 126 such as a coupling screw, so that the rotation center shaft 106 and the worm 104 rotate together. Since the rotation center of the worm wheel 103 and the one end 127 of the winding shaft 112 are connected to each other, the winding unit 101 rotates together with the rotation center axis of the worm wheel 103 and the other end of the adjustment rope 6. Wind up or unwind 25. In a state where the winding drum 111 is installed between the vertical plates 118 and 119 so that the openings at both ends of the cylinder of the winding drum 111 face the pair of bearing holes 120 and 120 formed in the pair of vertical plates 118 and 119. The other end portion 128 of the take-up shaft 112 is passed through the bearing hole 120, the cylinder of the take-up drum 111, and the bearing hole 130, and the worm wheel 103 and the worm 104 are set to mesh with each other. Since the retaining nut 129 is attached to the threaded portion formed at the other end portion 128, the winding shaft 112 is attached so as not to be detached from the bearing hole 130. In addition, an engagement protrusion (not shown) is formed on the outer periphery of the winding shaft 112, and an engagement groove (not shown) that engages the engagement protrusion from the one end of the cylinder to the inner surface of the cylinder of the winding drum 111. It is formed continuously over the edges. The winding shaft 112 and the winding drum 111 are configured to rotate together by the engagement protrusions and the engagement grooves being engaged with each other.

  That is, both end portions of the winding shaft 112 are rotatably supported by the bearing body 102, and one end portion 125 of the rotation center shaft 106 of the worm 104 is rotatably supported by the bearing hole 123 of the fixed base 115. The other shaft portion 137 near the other end of the rotation center shaft 106 is rotatably supported by the bearing hole 122 of the horizontal plate 121. Accordingly, the worm wheel 103 and the worm 104 are installed so as to mesh with each other. The other end 131 of the operation shaft 108 extends upward through a bearing hole 133 formed in a bearing plate 132 attached to the center of the front left and right portions 75 of the apparatus frame 9 to be described later, for example. The center of the circle of the circular operation handle 107 is fixed to the other end 131 of the operation shaft 108. That is, the operation handle 107 is installed in a range that can be operated by the user 19 suspended from the human body suspension point 4.

  The other end 135 of the rotation center shaft 106 is fitted into a connection hole 138 formed at one end of the universal joint 109, and the connection hole 138 and the other end 135 are connected by a fastening screw (not shown). One end portion 136 of the operation shaft 108 is fitted into the connection hole 139 formed at the other end, and the connection hole 139 and the one end portion 136 are connected by a fastening screw (not shown), so that the rotational force of the operation shaft 108 is reduced. The operation shaft 108, the universal joint 109, and the rotation center shaft 106 are coupled to each other so that the transmission can be transmitted to the rotation center shaft 106 via the universal joint 109. By connecting the other end portion 135 of the rotation center shaft 106 and the one end portion 136 of the operation shaft 108 by the universal joint 109, the operation shaft 108 may be inclined to about 30 ° to 40 ° with respect to the rotation center shaft 106. It becomes possible.

  As the operation handle 107 rotates, the operation shaft 108 rotates, and the rotational force is transmitted to the rotation center shaft 106 of the worm 104 by the universal joint 109 to rotate the worm 104, and the worm wheel 103 engaged with the worm 104 rotates. By doing so, the winding shaft 112 and the winding drum 111 rotate. That is, by rotating the operation handle 107, the adjustment rope 6 can be wound or unwound by the winding portion 101, and the coil spring 51 in the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 can be expanded / contracted. The lifting force by the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 can be adjusted.

  That is, by operating the operation handle 71 and winding the adjustment rope 6, the large-diameter cylindrical body 53 moves downward and the coil spring 51 extends in the vertical direction. At this time, the force that the coil spring 51 tries to return to the original state (the force that the coil spring 51 tries to contract) becomes the lifting force, and the value of the lifting force is the horizontal scale value of the pointer 63 at that time. Indicated by That is, if the adjustment rope 6 is wound up, the lifting force can be increased, and if the adjustment rope 6 is unwound, the lifting force can be reduced. That is, the lifting force (weight unloading amount) for lifting the body of the user 19 wearing the wearing tool 18 is determined by the amount of winding of the adjustment rope 6 by the lifting force setting mechanism 7, and the suspension assist device 1 is suspended. An operation for changing the upper force can be facilitated, and the walking assist device 1 capable of easily changing the lifting force is obtained.

  The frictional force generated by the engagement between the worm wheel 103 and the worm 104 of the worm gear 105 acts as a brake that restricts the rotation of the take-up shaft 112 and the take-up drum 111, so that adjustment is performed by the force of the coil spring 51 when the operation handle is released. The rope 6 is unwound and the lifting force is not released.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the walking assistance apparatus 1 of the best form 1 is demonstrated more concretely. The support column 2 is formed by a left support column 31 and a right support column 32 that are inclined forward and backward so that the upper end is located on the front side and the lower end is located on the rear side. The apparatus frame 9 includes a base frame portion 33 and a column support frame unit 34, and the column support frame and the column 2 are connected to each other.

  The base frame part 33 includes a left frame part 35, a right frame part 36, and a front frame part 37. The left frame part 35 and the right frame part 36 extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged in parallel with a certain distance therebetween. The front frame portion 37 extends in the left-right direction, and the left end is connected to the front end of the left frame portion 35 and the front end of the right frame portion 36. An open / close portion 38 is opened between the rear end of the left frame portion 35 and the rear end of the right frame portion 36. The user 19 can go in and out between the lower position of the human body hanging point 4 and the outside via the access portion 38. That is, when a person stands on the outside of the right frame portion 36 and faces the left frame portion 35 as viewed from above, the base frame portion 33 has a U-shape in which the rear portion (the entrance / exit portion 38) is opened. The left column 31 is provided to rise above the rear position from the middle of the front and rear of the left frame portion 35. The right column 32 is provided so as to rise above the rear position from the middle of the right frame portion 36 before and after. That is, the left column 31 and the right column 32 are provided to be inclined forward from the rear.

  The column support frame part 34 includes left and right intermediate support frame parts 41; 42, an intermediate upper connection frame part 43, an intermediate front connection frame part 44, left and right upper and lower connection frame parts 45; 46, and left and right front and rear connection frame parts 47; 48. The upper connection frame part 49 is provided. The left intermediate support frame portion 41 connects a position shifted to the left with respect to the left and right intermediate portions of the front frame portion 37 and the upper and lower intermediate positions of the left support column 31. The right intermediate support frame portion 42 connects the position shifted to the right from the left and right middle of the front frame portion 37 and the upper and lower middle positions of the right column 32. The intermediate upper connecting frame portion 43 connects the intermediate positions where the left column 31 and the right column 32 face each other. The middle upper connection frame portion 43 connects the left connection point 71A between the left intermediate support frame portion 41 and the left column 31 and the right connection point 72 between the right intermediate support frame portion 42 and the right column. The middle upper connecting frame portion 43 includes a left front and rear portion 73 extending forward from the left connecting point 71A, a right front and rear portion 74 extending forward from the right connecting point 72, and the left front and rear portions 73 and the right front and rear portions 74. It is formed by the front left and right portions 75 to be connected, and is U-shaped when viewed from the top like the base frame portion 33. The middle front connection frame portion 44 connects the left middle support frame portion 41 and the right middle support frame portion 42 to each other at a portion located below the left connection point 71A and the right connection point 72. The left upper and lower connecting frame portion 45 connects the left end portion of the intermediate front connecting frame portion 44 and the left end portions of the front left and right portions 75 of the intermediate upper connecting frame portion 43 located immediately above the left end portion. The right upper and lower connecting frame portion 46 connects the right end portion of the intermediate front connecting frame portion 44 and the right end portions of the front left and right portions 75 of the intermediate upper connecting frame portion 43 positioned directly above the right end portion. The left front / rear connection frame portion 47 extends rearward from the left side portion of the left intermediate support frame portion 41 corresponding to the left end portion of the intermediate front connection frame portion 44 beyond the left column 31 and the left side portion of the left intermediate support frame portion 41. And the left column 31 are connected to each other. The right front and rear connection frame portion 48 extends rearward from the right side portion of the right intermediate support frame portion 42 corresponding to the right end portion of the intermediate front connection frame portion 44 over the right column 32 and the right side portion of the right intermediate support frame portion 42. And the right column 32 are connected to each other. The upper connecting frame portion 49 connects the upper end of the left column 31 and the upper end of the right column 32, extends to the left from the left column 31, and extends to the right from the right column 32. The support column frame 34 gives strength to the support 2 with respect to the force applied from the left and right directions of the support 2 and the force applied from the front and rear directions of the support 2. The fixed base 115 of the lifting force setting mechanism 7 is attached to a mounting plate 113 provided at the center portion of the front frame portion 37 in the base frame portion 33 by a set screw or welding. A fall prevention stopper 29 and a suspension rod rotation prevention stopper 30 are provided before and after the left and right ends of the upper connection frame portion 49.

  The suspension rod 3 includes a left suspension rod 81, a right suspension rod 82, and a coupling rod 83, and a plurality of coupling rods provided in the front-rear direction in a state where the left suspension rod 81 and the right suspension rod 82 are opposed to the left and right. 83 are connected to each other. Hanging rod support portions 84; 85 are provided on the upper portion of the left column 31 and the upper portion of the right column 32, respectively. That is, the left suspension rod 81 and the right suspension rod 82 of the suspension rod 3 are vertically moved at the fulcrum 14 provided at the left and right ends of the upper connection frame portion 49 provided on the upper portion of the left support column 31 and the right support column 32. It is attached to perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates.

  The human body hanging point 4 is connected to the other end 15a of the left hanging rod 81 and the other end 15b of the right hanging rod 82, which are the other end 15 of the hanging rod 3 located behind the fulcrum 14 of the hanging rod 3. Provided. The mechanism suspension point 8 is provided at one end portion 12 b of the right suspension rod 82 that forms the one end portion 12 of the suspension rod 3 positioned in front of the fulcrum 14 of the suspension rod 3. The human body hanging point 4 and the mechanism hanging point 8 are formed by ring-shaped connecting portions 88 and 89. The connecting portion 89 that is the mechanism suspension point 8 and the attachment portion 22 of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 are connected to each other by a mechanism suspension rope 20 such as a connecting bracket or a rope. By hooking the hook provided on the upper end of the human body hanging rope 16 attached to the mounting tool 18 to the connecting portion 88 which is the human body hanging point 4, the human body of the user 19 wearing the mounting tool 18 is suspended from the human body. It is suspended at the lowering point 4 by a human body hanging rope 16.

  A method of using the walking support device 1 will be described. First, a caregiver or the like wears the wearing tool 18 on the user 19. The user 19 or a caregiver operates the operation handle 107 to set the lifting force. When the user 19 walks while gripping the column 2 or the device frame 9, the wheel 10 rolls on the traveling surface 10a and the walking support device 1 also moves.

  According to the best mode 1, the operation shaft 108 is inclined with respect to the rotation center shaft 106 by connecting the other end portion 135 of the rotation center shaft 106 and the one end portion 136 of the operation shaft 108 by the universal joint 109. Therefore, for example, the operation shaft 108 can be attached to the apparatus frame 9 in a state in which the operation shaft 108 is inclined in the direction of the user 19 and the operation handle 107 is inclined in a direction parallel to the user. For example, in a state where the bearing plate 132 is attached to the other end portion 131 of the operation shaft 108, the operation shaft 108 is moved in the direction of the user 19 after the fixing base 115 of the lifting force setting mechanism 7 is attached to the front frame portion 37. The bearing plate 132 may be tilted and fixed to the apparatus frame 9 by welding or the like. For example, when there is no space for installing the operation handle 107 above the portion where the lifting force setting mechanism 7 is to be attached or there is no frame portion for fixing the bearing plate 132 due to the shape of the device frame 9, the operation shaft By tilting 108 with respect to the rotation center shaft 106, the installation location of the operation handle 107 can be changed, and the bearing plate 132 can be fixed to the frame portion. Further, the operation handle 107 can be installed at a place where the user 19 can easily operate. As a result, the user 19 can easily adjust the lifting force.

  In addition, the apparatus frame 9 is provided with a plurality of bearing plates 132 that allow the operation shaft 108 to be inserted and removed and that can rotatably support the operation shaft 108 according to different inclination angles of the operation shaft 108. Accordingly, the walking assist device 1 may be configured such that the position of the operation handle 107 can be variably set at a position where the user 19 can easily operate. That is, it is possible to obtain the walking support device 1 in which the user 19 can adjust the height and angle of the operation handle 107 according to the body of the user 19.

The frictional force generated by the meshing between the worm wheel 73 and the worm 74 of the worm gear 75 serves as a brake that restricts the rotation of the winding drum 111, so that the winding is performed in comparison with a winding mechanism using an expensive manual winch equipped with a brake mechanism. The mechanism can be configured at low cost. That is, it is possible to obtain the walking assist device 1 that employs an inexpensive winding mechanism with a brake mechanism as the winding mechanism that constitutes the lifting force setting mechanism 7 for setting the lifting force applied to the human body.
Further, since the operation handle 107 is provided, the user 19 can easily set the lifting force using the operation handle 107.

  In the walking support device 1 provided with the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5, when the spring force of the coil spring 51 is increased and the expansion / contraction amount of the coil spring 51 is decreased in order to obtain a desired lifting force for suspending the user 19. Since the up-and-down movable width accompanying the walking motion of the person 19 is reduced, the user 19 is forced to perform an unnatural walking motion with little vertical movement. Conversely, if the spring force of the coil spring 51 is weakened to increase the amount of expansion and contraction of the coil spring 51 in order to obtain a desired lifting force for suspending the user 19, the user 19 can move up and down with the walking motion of the user 19. Although the width can be increased, in this case, the extension allowance of the coil spring 51 must be ensured. In this case, it is conceivable to increase the distance between the coil spring 51 and the winding mechanism to ensure the extension allowance of the coil spring 51. However, in the case of using a winder such as a manual winch, if the winder is installed at the lower part of the apparatus frame 9 in order to secure the extension allowance of the elastic stretchable body such as the coil spring 51, the user 19 is not allowed to move to the human body. The hoisting force cannot be adjusted by operating the winder while being hung by the hanging rope 16.

  According to the best mode 1, the winding shaft 112 is installed in the lower part of the apparatus frame 9 so as to extend in the horizontal direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the vertical extension direction of the adjustment rope 6, and the rotation center axis of the worm 104. 106 can be extended in the vertical direction perpendicular to the take-up shaft 112, so that the operation handle 107 can be operated while the user 19 suspended by the human body suspension rope 16 is suspended. The handle 107 can be provided above the lower portion of the apparatus frame 9 and at a position that can be reached by the user 19. That is, since the winding part 101 can be installed in the front frame part 37 which is the lower part of the apparatus frame 9 and the extension allowance of the coil spring 51 can be secured, the vertically movable width associated with the walking movement of the user 19 can be increased. Thus, the user 19 can perform a natural walking motion, and can operate the operation handle while the user 19 is suspended, thereby adjusting the lifting force.

  In the best mode 1, the other end side dimension a from the fulcrum 14 of the suspension rod 3 to the human body suspension point 4 of the suspension rod 3 is set to one end from the fulcrum 14 of the suspension rod 3 to the mechanism suspension point 8 of the suspension rod 3. Since it is longer than the side dimension b, the vertically movable width of the user 19 suspended at the human body suspension point 4 can be increased. That is, the vertically movable width of the human body hanging point 4 = the vertically movable width of the mechanism hanging point 8 × (a / b). Therefore, it becomes possible to follow the vertical movement of the user 19 accompanying the walking motion of the user 19 and increase the lifting force for reducing the weight load of the user 19. Therefore, the walking support device 1 that can support walking so that even the user 19 who cannot support his / her weight by himself / herself can walk naturally can be obtained.

  Moreover, when the position of the human body hanging point 4 moves up and down with the walking motion of the user 19 from the state where the lifting force is acting on the human body hanging point 4, the lifting force varies. Since the other end side dimension “a” is longer than the one end side dimension “b”, the vertically movable width of the mechanism suspension point 8 can be made smaller than the vertically movable width of the human body suspension point 4 and is suspended at the human body suspension point 4. The fluctuation of the lifting force accompanying the vertical movement of the user 19 can be reduced.

  For example, when the ratio of the other end side dimension a to the one end side dimension b is 7: 1, in order to apply a lifting force of 25 kg to the human body hanging point 4, the mechanism hanging point 8 is set to a force of 175 kg. It is necessary to pull it down. Then, the position of the human body suspension point 4 can be moved up and down by 10.5 cm in accordance with the walking motion of the user 19 from a state in which a lifting force of 25 kg is applied to the human body suspension point 4 ( That is, in order to make the vertically movable width of the human body suspension point 4 21 cm, the mechanism suspension point 8 must be movable up and down by 1.5 cm each time by extending and contracting the coil spring 51 (that is, the mechanism suspension). (The vertical movable width of the lowering point 8 is 3 cm). Therefore, in this case, a coil spring 51 that can apply a force of 175 kg to the mechanism suspension point 8 and can move the mechanism suspension point 8 up and down by 1.5 cm may be used. That is, the coil spring 51 may be selected so as to realize the set value according to the maximum lifting force to be set and the maximum vertically movable width of the position of the human body hanging point 4. In this case, the vertically movable width of the user 19 suspended at the human body suspension point 4 can be increased to 21 cm, and the lifting force for reducing the weight load on the user 19 can be increased to about 25 kg. Therefore, the human body hanging point 4 can follow the vertical movement of the user 19 accompanying the walking movement of the user 19, and the lifting force for reducing the weight load of the user 19 is also large. Even if it is the user 19 who cannot support, the walk assistance apparatus 1 which can assist walk so that natural walk can be performed is obtained. Further, the vertically movable width of the mechanism hanging point 8 can be 3 cm with respect to the vertically movable width 21 cm of the human body hanging point 4, and the vertically movable width of the mechanism hanging point 8 can be vertically moved by the human body hanging point 4. Since it can be made smaller than the possible width, the fluctuation of the lifting force accompanying the vertical movement of the user 19 suspended at the human body suspension point 4 can be reduced.

  When the other end side dimension a and the one end side dimension b are the same, when the other end side dimension a is made shorter than the one end side dimension b, and when the other end side dimension a is made longer than the one end side dimension b When the other end side dimension “a” is longer than the one end side dimension “b”, the user 19 suspended at the human body suspension point 4 can have a larger vertical movable width and the weight of the user 19 can be increased. The lifting force for reducing the load can be increased, and the fluctuation of the lifting force accompanying the vertical movement of the user 19 can be reduced.

Further, according to the walking support device 1 of the best mode, the lifting force setting mechanism 7 is provided, and the lifting force is determined by the winding amount of the adjustment rope 6 by the lifting force setting mechanism 7. By operating the upper force setting mechanism 7 to wind or unwind the adjustment rope 6, the lifting force can be easily changed, and the walking support device 1 that is easy to operate for changing the lifting force is provided. can get.
In addition, since the coil spring 51 is used as the elastic body of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5, the configuration of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 can be simplified, and the walking support device 1 having a configuration that can easily change the lifting force can be obtained at low cost. it can.
Further, since the fall prevention stopper 29 is provided, the fall of the user 19 when the user 19 slides his / her foot can be prevented.

  According to the best mode 1, the support column 2 is formed by the left support column 31 and the right support column 32, and the suspension rod 3 connects the left suspension rod 81, the right suspension rod 82, and the left and right suspension rods 81; 82 to each other. 83, and the left suspension bar 81 is attached so as to perform a seesaw motion in which the left suspension bar 81 reciprocates in the vertical direction at the upper fulcrum 14 of the left support column 31. Left and right human body suspension points provided on the rear side of the left and right suspension rods 81; 82 are mounted so as to perform a seesaw motion reciprocating between the left and right suspension rods 81; 4; Since it is configured to be suspended at 4, it can be configured such that the support column 2 does not block the front view of the user 19, and the user 19 can easily check the front from between the left support column 31 and the right support column 32. The support device 1 can be provided.

Best form 2
When the user 19 is used facing the front side where the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 is provided as shown in FIG. 1, if the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 is in the front center, the user's 19 front field of view is hindered. 5 is provided close to the front right end (or left end) as shown in FIG. Thereby, the walking assistance apparatus 1 of the structure by which the elastic expansion-contraction mechanism 5 does not block the user's 19 front view can be provided. In this case, the other end 25 of the adjustment rope 6 is guided to the winding unit 101 via the guide pulley 145.

  That is, the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 is provided so as to extend straight downward from the mechanism suspension point 8 provided on the front side of one of the left and right suspension rods 81; As a guide provided on the apparatus frame 9 positioned below the left and right hanging rods 81; 82, and the other end 25 of the adjustment rope 6 is provided on the apparatus frame 9 positioned below the elastic telescopic mechanism 5. The walking assist device 1 is connected to the winding unit 101 via the guide pulley 145.

Best form 3
When the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 is provided close to the front right end (or left end) as in the best mode 2, the winding portion 101 of the lifting force setting mechanism 7 is positioned below the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5. It may be provided on the right end side (or left end side) of the front frame portion 37, and the operation shaft 10 may be tilted so that the user 19 can easily operate the operation handle 107 via the universal joint 109. Although not shown, an intermediate shaft and two universal joints may be used. That is, the other end 135 of the rotation center shaft 106 of the worm 104 and one end of the intermediate shaft are connected by one universal joint, and the other end of the intermediate shaft and the one end 136 of the operation shaft 108 are connected by the other universal joint. With this configuration, the operation shaft can be installed at a position away from the axis of the rotation center axis, so that the orientation of the operation handle 107 can be easily adjusted, and the direction of the operation handle 107 is set so that the user 19 can easily operate. Easy to do. Furthermore, in this case, by making the inclination angle of the operation shaft 108 with respect to the intermediate shaft equal to the inclination angle of the rotation center shaft 106 with respect to the intermediate shaft, the angular velocity ratio between the operation shaft 108 and the rotation center shaft 106 can be made the same. The operability of 107 can be improved.

Best form 4
As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 is attached to each of the left and right suspension rods 81; 82, so that the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 does not interfere with the front view of the user 19 and the right and left suspension rods are suspended. It is possible to provide the walking support device 1 having a configuration in which the load applied to the rods 81; 82 can be made equal and the twisting of the left and right suspension rods 81; 82 can be reduced.

  That is, it is hung by the left elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 suspended from the mechanism suspension point 8 provided on the front side of the left suspension rod 81 and the mechanism suspension point 8 provided on the front side of the right suspension rod 82. It is provided on the right and left of the right elastic telescopic mechanism 5 and the winding shaft connected to the center of the worm wheel 104 and extended left and right so that it can rotate together with the rotation center shaft 140 (winding shaft) of the worm wheel 104. Left and right winding portions 101; 101, and the other end portion 25 of the adjustment rope 6 of the left elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 and the left winding portion 101 are connected to each other. The walking support device 1 has a configuration in which the other end 25 of the adjustment rope 6 and the right winding unit 101 are connected. Reference numeral 141 denotes a bearing portion that rotatably supports both ends of the rotation center shaft 140.

Best form 5
As shown in FIG. 6, the other end 25 of the adjustment rope 6 is guided upward via a guide pulley 150 installed at the lower part of the device frame 9 positioned below the elastic telescopic mechanism 5, so that the user 19 It was set as the structure connected with the winding shaft of the manual winch 151 provided in the front. In such a configuration, since the extension allowance of the coil spring 51 of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism 5 can be secured, the vertically movable width associated with the walking motion of the user 19 can be increased, and the user 19 can move naturally. In addition, the operating handle 152 of the manual winch 151 can be operated while the user 19 is suspended, and the lifting force can be adjusted.

  One end side rod portion of the suspension rod formed by a multi-end branching rod portion in which the mechanism hanging point 8 side is formed by one end side rod portion and the human body suspension point 4 side branches from the one end side rod portion to the left and right two. It is good also as a structure attached by the fulcrum 14 formed in the upper part of the one support | pillar 2.

The side view (partial cross section) of the walking support device (best mode 1). The block diagram which shows the lifting force setting mechanism (best form 1). The perspective view of the walking assistance apparatus (best mode 1). The perspective view of walking support device (best mode 2). The perspective view of the walking assistance apparatus (best form 4). The perspective view of the walking assistance apparatus (best form 5).

Explanation of symbols

1 walking support device, 2 struts, 3 suspension rods, 4 human body suspension points, 5 elastic telescopic mechanism,
6 adjustment rope, 7 lifting force setting mechanism, 8 mechanism suspension point, 9 device frame,
31 Left column, 32 Right column, 81 Left hanging rod, 82 Right hanging rod, 101 Winding part,
103 worm wheel, 104 worm, 105 worm gear,
106 worm rotation center axis, 107 operation handle (operation part), 109 universal joint,
a other end side dimension, b one end side dimension.

Claims (7)

  A support rod, a suspension rod attached to the top of the support column so as to perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates in the vertical direction at a fulcrum, and a human body suspension point provided at the other end located behind the fulcrum of the suspension rod , A mechanism suspension point provided at one end located on the front side of the fulcrum of the suspension rod, an elastic telescopic mechanism suspended from the mechanism suspension point, and an adjustment rope having one end coupled to the lower portion of the elastic telescopic mechanism And a lifting force setting mechanism for setting a lifting force to be applied to the human body suspended at the human body suspension point by adjusting the amount of expansion / contraction of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism by winding or unwinding the adjustment rope; A hoisting force setting mechanism for winding or unwinding the other end, an operating shaft with an operating unit, an end of the winding shaft of the winding unit, and an end of the operating shaft A walking support device comprising a universal joint that connects the parts to each other.   A support rod, a suspension rod attached to the top of the support column so as to perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates in the vertical direction at a fulcrum, and a human body suspension point provided at the other end located behind the fulcrum of the suspension rod , A mechanism suspension point provided at one end located on the front side of the fulcrum of the suspension rod, an elastic telescopic mechanism suspended from the mechanism suspension point, and an adjustment rope having one end coupled to the lower portion of the elastic telescopic mechanism And a lifting force setting mechanism for setting a lifting force to be applied to the human body suspended at the human body suspension point by adjusting the amount of expansion / contraction of the elastic expansion / contraction mechanism by winding or unwinding the adjustment rope; The hoisting force setting mechanism includes a worm gear formed by a worm wheel and a worm, and a winding for winding and unwinding the other end of the adjustment rope by rotating together with the rotation central axis of the worm wheel. And an operation unit equipped with an operation unit. Axis, the walking assist apparatus characterized by comprising a universal joint connecting the end of the operating shaft end of the rotation axis of the worm wheel from one another.   The support column is formed by the left support column and the right support column, the suspension rod is formed by the left suspension rod, the right suspension rod, and the connecting rod that connects the left and right suspension rods, and the left suspension rod is moved up and down at the upper fulcrum of the left support column. A person who is mounted to perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates in the direction and the right suspension rod is mounted to perform a seesaw motion that reciprocates in the vertical direction at the upper fulcrum of the right column, and is located between the left and right suspension rods. The walking support device according to claim 1, wherein the walking support device is suspended at left and right human body suspension points provided on the rear side of the left and right suspension rods.   The elastic telescopic mechanism is provided so as to extend straight downward so as not to be displaced from side to side from the mechanism suspension point provided on the front side of either the left or right suspension rod, and the take-up portion is a mechanism suspension of the left and right suspension rods. It is provided on the device frame located below the lowering point, and the other end of the adjustment rope is connected to the winding part via a guide provided on the device frame located below the elastic telescopic mechanism. The walking support device according to claim 3.   A left elastic expansion / contraction mechanism suspended at a mechanism suspension point provided on the front side of the left suspension rod; a right elastic expansion / contraction mechanism suspended at a mechanism suspension point disposed on the front side of the right suspension rod; The left and right winding portions are provided so as to be rotatable together with the rotation center shaft of the worm wheel, and the other end portion of the adjustment rope of the left elastic expansion and contraction mechanism is connected to the left winding portion. The walking support device according to claim 3, wherein the other end portion of the adjustment rope of the elastic expansion and contraction mechanism is connected to the right winding portion.   The dimension of the other end side from the fulcrum of the suspension rod to the human body suspension point of the suspension rod is longer than the one end side dimension from the fulcrum of the suspension rod to the mechanism suspension point of the suspension rod. Item 6. The walking assist device according to any one of items 5.   The walking support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an operation unit is installed in a range that can be operated by a user suspended from a human body suspension point.

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