JP2011217995A

JP2011217995A - Folding nursing wheelchair

Info

Publication number: JP2011217995A
Application number: JP2010091258A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yuko Suzuki; 悠子鈴木
Original assignee: Yazaki Kako Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Kako Corp
Priority date: 2010-04-12
Filing date: 2010-04-12
Publication date: 2011-11-04

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a folding nursing wheelchair, which can be used for bathing by shower with a person who requires nursing care.SOLUTION: A rear frame 2 of a rear wheel 1 is pinned to a backrest frame 3, and a front frame 5 of a front wheel 4 is pinned to the rear frame 2. A front portion of a seat plate support arm 7 is placed on a front wheel support beam 8. The seat plate support arm 7 is pinned to a support frame 9 through a connecting bar 10, and the seat plate support arm 7 and the front frame 5 are pinned to a connecting link 11. A longitudinal connecting link 12 pinned to the support beam 8 of the front wheel 4 is pinned to an extended arm portion 13 so as to be bendable. A folding handle 15 is attached to a joint frame 14 extended between the two seat plate support arms 7, 7. A driving spring 18 is connected to the other end of a rocking arm 16, and a driving block 16a for displacing the lock pin 17 by the folding handle 15 is set on the rocking arm 16. The lock pin 17 is protruded to and recessed from a pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11 through the seat plate support arm 7.

Description

この発明は、高齢者や要介護者ら（以下、単に要介護者と略す。）の移動、特に要介護者を乗せて直接浴室等へ移動して、要介護者を乗せたままシャワーによる入浴に使用できる折り畳み式介護用車椅子（シャワーキャリー）の技術分野に属する。 The present invention relates to the movement of elderly people and care recipients (hereinafter simply referred to as care recipients), in particular, taking a care recipient directly to a bathroom or the like, and taking a bath with a shower while the care recipient is on. Belongs to the technical field of foldable nursing wheelchairs (shower carry) that can be used for

要介護者らは、ベッドから降りて立ち上がる動作、或いは座った姿勢から立ち上がる動作が苦手である。同様に、車椅子へ乗り降りする動作も苦手であるから、一度車椅子へ乗った場合には、なるべく乗車状態を継続して各種の目的、用事を済ませたいとする願望が強い。入浴はその最たる一例であり、可能な限り車椅子へ乗ったままシャワーを浴びて入浴を済ませたいとの要望があり、車椅子へ乗ったままシャワーを浴びることが可能なシャワーキャリーを兼ねた折り畳み式介護用車椅子が既に開発されている。 Care recipients are not good at getting up from the bed or getting up from a sitting posture. Similarly, since it is not good at getting on and off the wheelchair, there is a strong desire to continue the riding state as much as possible and finish various purposes and errands once getting on the wheelchair. Bathing is one of the best examples of this, and there is a desire to take a shower while riding on a wheelchair as much as possible, and folding care that also serves as a shower carry that allows you to take a shower while riding on a wheelchair Wheelchairs have already been developed.

シャワーキャリーを兼ねる折り畳み式介護用車椅子の先行技術として、下記の特許文献１に開示されたものは、フロントハンドルパイプとリヤーパイプのクロス部をＸ字形にピン連結して、前記フロントハンドルパイプとリヤーパイプの間に設けたリンク機構と座板の支持アームとで椅子本体が前後方向に折り畳まれ、自立できる構成とされている。 As a prior art of a foldable nursing wheelchair that also serves as a shower carry, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is configured such that a front handle pipe and a cross section of a rear pipe are pin-connected in an X shape, and the front handle pipe and the rear pipe are connected. The chair body is folded in the front-rear direction by the link mechanism provided between them and the support arm of the seat plate, so that it can stand on its own.

特許第３８４０４６６号公報Japanese Patent No. 3840466

上記した特許文献１記載の折り畳み式介護用車椅子は、それなりに良く工夫されている。しかし、フロントハンドルパイプとリヤーパイプをＸ字形にピン連結して折り畳み可能な構成にしているので、その折り畳み動作は、言わばＸ字形フレーム構造を縦長に折り畳んですぼめることになり、折り畳み状態の全高寸法が上方へ延びて背が高くなる。そのため乗用車など床上高さ（車高）が低いとか、車幅が小さい制限空間を利用して積載する持ち運びや運搬には不向きであり、利用範囲が狭く限定される欠点が認められる。
また、座板を使用状態に展開した使用状態、又は上記の折り畳み状態とした際に、それぞれの状態（形態）を確定するロック機構を持たないので、特に折り畳み状態で持ち運ぶ際に不用意に展開してばらける不具合があり、危険でもある。
更に、折り畳み状態にして倉庫などへ収納、保管する場合に、駐車ブレーキを掛け忘れると、当該介護用車椅子が車輪の転がりで不用意に走り動く虞があり、積み重ねた荷物が荷崩れを起こすなどやはり危険である。 The foldable nursing wheelchair described in Patent Document 1 is well devised. However, the front handle pipe and the rear pipe are connected in an X-shaped pin so that it can be folded. So, the folding operation is to fold the X-shaped frame structure into a vertically long shape. Extends upwards and becomes taller. For this reason, it is not suitable for carrying and transporting a passenger car with a low floor height (vehicle height) or using a restricted space with a small vehicle width, and there is a disadvantage that the range of use is limited.
In addition, there is no lock mechanism to determine each state (form) when the seat plate is in the used state or in the folded state, so that it is inadvertently deployed especially when it is carried in the folded state. There is a problem that can be broken, and it is dangerous.
In addition, when storing and storing in a warehouse etc. in a folded state, if you forget to apply the parking brake, the care wheelchair may run carelessly due to the rolling of the wheels, causing the stacked luggage to collapse. After all it is dangerous.

そこで本発明の目的は、シャワーキャリーを兼ねる折り畳み式介護用車椅子の折り畳みフレーム構造をＸ字形から多節屈曲構造に改良して、折り畳み用ハンドルを持ち上げて座面を上向き後方側へ回転させる折り畳み操作を開始すると、前輪フレームはリンク機構に引っ張られて後輪フレームの下側方向へ折り込まれ、一方、背もたれフレームは前屈みに倒れつつ下がり、全体としての背が低くなり、且つ嵩も小さいすぼまり状態となり、後輪と補助輪とで折り畳み状態が自立し、更に折り畳んだ車椅子の全体をハンドル部で後方側へ傾けると、後輪が床から離れて浮上し、代わって小径の補助輪のみで自立し走行する状態になり、持ち運び移動にすこぶる至便な折り畳み状態となり、運搬の移動がし易い折り畳み式介護用車椅子を提供することである。 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the folding frame structure of a folding nursing care wheelchair that also serves as a shower carry from an X-shape to a multi-node bending structure, and lift the folding handle to rotate the seat surface upward and rearward. The front wheel frame is pulled by the link mechanism and folded to the lower side of the rear wheel frame, while the backrest frame falls down while bending forward, reducing the overall height and reducing the bulk. The rear wheel and the auxiliary wheel are in a folded state, and when the entire folded wheelchair is tilted rearward at the handle part, the rear wheel floats away from the floor, and instead only with a small diameter auxiliary wheel. Provide a foldable nursing care wheelchair that is easy to carry and easy to move, and is in a state of being able to be carried independently and to be carried easily. It is when.

本発明の次の目的は、折り畳み状態のとき、又は展開した使用状態のいずれの場合でも、その折り畳み状態又は展開状態を自動的に確定するロックが働くロック機構を備え、しかも折り畳み用ハンドルを折り畳み方向へ又は展開方向へ動かす当初の操作段階で前記のロック状態を解除でき、操作完了後に同折り畳み用ハンドルから手を離すと中立位置へ復帰して再び前記のロックが働く構成で、取扱い、使用に至便な折り畳み式介護用車椅子を提供することである。
更に、上記折り畳み状態にしたときは、使用者がブレーキを掛ける操作をしないでも、自動的に又は構造上必然に駐車ブレーキが働く構成で、倉庫などへ収納、保管した場合に車輪が転がって不用意に走り動く虞や危険がない、折り畳み式介護用車椅子を提供することである。 A further object of the present invention is to provide a lock mechanism for automatically locking the folded state or the unfolded state in the folded state or in the unfolded use state, and folding the folding handle. The lock state can be released at the initial stage of operation to move in the direction of movement or in the deployment direction, and when the hand is released from the folding handle after the operation is completed, the lock is restored and the lock is activated again. It is to provide a foldable nursing wheelchair that is convenient.
Furthermore, in the folded state, even if the user does not apply the brake, the parking brake works automatically or inevitably because of the structure. It is to provide a folding nursing care wheelchair that does not have the risk or danger of running.

上記の課題を解決する手段として、請求項１に記載した発明に係る折り畳み式介護用車椅子は、
後輪１を支持するリヤーフレーム２の上部が、背もたれフレーム３の下部と上下方向への前方回転が自在にピン２０で連結され、前輪４を支持するフロントフレーム５のうち後方側へ屈曲した上部が前記リヤーフレーム２の前部と下向き方向への回転が可能にピン２１で連結されており、
前記リヤーフレーム２の前部に、座板６を支持する座板支持腕７の後部が上下方向への回転が自在にピン２２で連結され、同座板支持腕７の前部は前輪支持梁８の上に載る配置とされ、同座板支持腕７の中間部と座板６の支持枠９とが上下方向の連接バー１０でピン連結されており、同座板支持枠９の後端部は前記リヤーフレーム２の上部へ上下方向への回転が可能にピン２３で取り付けられている。
両サイドのフロントフレーム５、５の内側に沿って配置された両側二つの前記座板支持腕７、７の中間部と、フロントフレーム５の前部の垂直部位５ａとが連接リンク１１でピン連結されており、更に前端を前輪４の支持梁８とピン２４で連結された前後連接リンク１２の他端は、背もたれフレーム３から下方へ延長した延長腕部１３とくの字形に屈曲可能にピン２５で連結されている。
前記両サイドの二つの座板支持腕７、７間へ跨らせて取り付けた繋ぎフレーム１４の上部に、水平方向の前方へ向く配置とした折り畳み用ハンドル１５の基部が一定の角度上下方向への回転が可能に取り付けられ、また、前記繋ぎフレーム１４へ中間部位を支点ピン２６で取付けて同繋ぎフレーム１４の長手方向への揺動が可能に設置した揺動腕１６の一端部にロックピン１７が繋ぎフレーム１４の長手方向に向けて取り付けられ、同揺動腕１６の他端部の相互間に駆動バネ１８が連結され、更に前記折り畳み用ハンドル１５が一定の角度上向き又は下向き方向へ回転する動作を前記揺動腕１６の揺動に変換し前記ロックピン１７をその長手方向へ変位させる駆動ブロック１６ａが揺動腕１６に設置されており、前記ロックピン１７はその先端部が前記座板支持腕７を外向きに貫通して、同座板支持腕７とフロントフレーム５前部の垂直部位５ａとを連結した連接リンク１１のピン孔３０へ出入りが自在に構成されていることを特徴とする。 As means for solving the above-mentioned problem, a folding nursing care wheelchair according to the invention described in claim 1 is:
The upper part of the rear frame 2 that supports the rear wheel 1 is connected to the lower part of the back frame 3 by a pin 20 so as to freely rotate in the vertical direction, and the upper part of the front frame 5 that supports the front wheel 4 is bent rearward. Is connected to the front portion of the rear frame 2 by a pin 21 so as to be able to rotate downward.
The rear portion of the rear frame 2 is connected to a rear portion of a seat plate support arm 7 for supporting the seat plate 6 by a pin 22 so as to be freely rotatable in the vertical direction. The front portion of the seat plate support arm 7 is a front wheel support beam. 8, the intermediate portion of the seat plate support arm 7 and the support frame 9 of the seat plate 6 are pin-connected by a connecting bar 10 in the vertical direction, and the rear end of the seat plate support frame 9 The part is attached to the upper part of the rear frame 2 with a pin 23 so as to be able to rotate in the vertical direction.
An intermediate portion of the two seat plate support arms 7 and 7 arranged along the inside of the front frames 5 and 5 on both sides and a vertical portion 5a of the front portion of the front frame 5 are connected by a connecting link 11. Further, the other end of the front / rear connecting link 12 whose front end is connected to the support beam 8 of the front wheel 4 by a pin 24 is bent to an extension arm portion 13 extending downward from the backrest frame 3 and a pin 25. It is connected with.
A base portion of a folding handle 15 arranged to face forward in the horizontal direction is arranged at a certain angle in the vertical direction on the upper portion of the connecting frame 14 that is mounted across the two seat plate support arms 7 on both sides. And a lock pin on one end of a swinging arm 16 that is attached to the connecting frame 14 with a fulcrum pin 26 so that the connecting frame 14 can swing in the longitudinal direction. 17 is attached in the longitudinal direction of the connecting frame 14, a drive spring 18 is connected between the other ends of the swing arm 16, and the folding handle 15 is rotated upward or downward by a certain angle. A drive block 16a is installed on the swing arm 16 to convert the motion to be converted into swing of the swing arm 16 and displace the lock pin 17 in its longitudinal direction. The portion penetrates the seat plate support arm 7 outwardly, and can freely enter and exit the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11 that connects the seat plate support arm 7 and the vertical portion 5a of the front portion of the front frame 5. It is characterized by.

請求項２に記載した発明は、請求項１に記載した折り畳み式介護用車椅子において、
前記リヤーフレーム２の下部へ取り付けて後方側へ延長した延長腕部３１における、後輪１の外径位置よりも外方へ突き出た先端位置に、補助輪３２が、常時は後輪１よりも後方側上方の非接地位置の高さに在るように設置されていることを特徴とする。
請求項３に記載した発明は、請求項１に記載した折り畳み式介護用車椅子において、
後輪１の前部へ当たってブレーキを掛けるブレーキ片３４を取り付けたリンク腕３３の一端部がリヤーフレーム２の前部へピン２２で揺動自在に連結されており、フロントフレーム５の折り畳み状態において連接リンク１１に押されたブレーキ片３４が後輪１へ押し付けられブレーキが掛かる構成であることを特徴とする。 The invention described in claim 2 is the foldable nursing care wheelchair described in claim 1,
An auxiliary wheel 32 is always located at the tip of the extended arm 31 that is attached to the lower part of the rear frame 2 and extends rearward and projects outward from the outer diameter position of the rear wheel 1 than the rear wheel 1. It is installed so that it may exist in the height of the non-grounding position of the rear side upper direction.
The invention described in claim 3 is the foldable nursing care wheelchair described in claim 1,
One end portion of a link arm 33 to which a brake piece 34 that hits the front portion of the rear wheel 1 and applies a brake is attached to the front portion of the rear frame 2 by a pin 22 so as to be swingable, and the front frame 5 is folded. The brake piece 34 pushed by the connecting link 11 is pushed against the rear wheel 1 and the brake is applied.

本発明の折り畳み式介護用車椅子は、折り畳み用ハンドル１５を上方へ引き上げることで折り畳み操作を開始できる。同折り畳み用ハンドル１５を許容限度の角度まで引き上げると、折り畳み用ハンドル１５の引き上げ回転に伴って押される駆動ブロック１６ａを介して揺動腕１６が図５Ｂ中のＲ方向へ押し動かされ、同揺動腕先端部のロックピン１７が内方へ後退変位されて、ロックピン１７の先端が連接リンク１１のピン孔３０から引き抜かれ、座板支持腕７の回転が可能なロック解除状態になる。その結果、折り畳み用ハンドル１５がそのまま引き上げられる回転操作に伴い、座板支持腕７の上方への回転に伴って、同座板支持腕７と連接バー１０で連結された座板支持枠９及び座板６が上方へ回転して、各々の折り畳み動作が進む。
一方、座板支持腕７とフロントフレーム５の前部の垂直部位５ａとの間を連結した連接リンク１１による拘束リンク運動として、フロントフレーム５は前記座板支持腕７の上方への回転に追従しようとするが、その一方では、前端を前輪４、４の支持梁８とピン連結された前後連接リンク１２の他端が、背もたれフレーム３を下方へ延長した延長腕部１３と屈曲可能にピン連結されているため拘束作用を受け、同フロントフレーム５の回転は、むしろリヤーフレーム２の前部下側へ潜る回転動作を呈する（図４Ａ）。前記動作のとき同時に、背もたれフレーム３が、前後連接リンク１２の拘束作用で下方へ落ち込む動きを呈し、その上端のハンドル３５の位置が下がる（図６Ｂ参照）。 The folding care wheelchair of the present invention can start the folding operation by pulling the folding handle 15 upward. When the folding handle 15 is pulled up to an allowable limit angle, the swinging arm 16 is pushed in the R direction in FIG. 5B via the drive block 16a that is pushed as the folding handle 15 is lifted and rotated. The lock pin 17 at the distal end of the moving arm is retracted inward, and the distal end of the lock pin 17 is pulled out from the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11 so that the seat support arm 7 can be rotated. As a result, with the rotation operation in which the folding handle 15 is pulled up as it is, with the upward rotation of the seat plate support arm 7, the seat plate support frame 9 connected to the seat plate support arm 7 by the connecting bar 10 and The seat plate 6 rotates upward, and each folding operation proceeds.
On the other hand, the front frame 5 follows the upward rotation of the seat support arm 7 as a restraint link motion by the connecting link 11 connecting the seat support arm 7 and the vertical portion 5a of the front portion of the front frame 5. On the other hand, on the other hand, the other end of the front / rear connecting link 12 whose front end is pin-connected to the support beam 8 of the front wheels 4, 4 is pinned to be able to bend with the extended arm portion 13 extending the backrest frame 3 downward. Since it is connected, it receives a restraining action, and the rotation of the front frame 5 rather exhibits a rotating action that dives to the lower side of the front part of the rear frame 2 (FIG. 4A). At the same time as the above operation, the backrest frame 3 moves downward due to the restraining action of the front and rear connecting links 12, and the position of the handle 35 at the upper end of the backrest frame 3 is lowered (see FIG. 6B).

こうして座板６が背もたれフレーム３へ接する位置まで折り畳み動作が進行した時点（図６Ａ、Ｂ）で、折り畳み用ハンドル１５へ加えた回転力（折り畳み操作力）を解除すると、同ハンドル１５が駆動バネ１８の働きで中立位置へ復元する動作に伴い、駆動ブロック１６ａを介して揺動腕１６を押す作用が解消する。そのため同揺動腕１６の先端部のロックピン１７は駆動バネ１８の作用で前進して行き、同ロックピン１７の先端は再び連接リンク１１のピン孔３０へ進入して座板支持腕７の回転を止めたロック状態となり、図６Ａの折り畳み状態を確定し拘束する。
かくして本発明の折り畳み式介護用車椅子は、図６Ａ、Ｂに示したように、座板６が背もたれフレーム３へ密接し、前輪４はリヤーフレーム２の前部下側及び後輪１の内側へ潜り込みんだすぼまり状態となる。また、背もたれフレーム３は下方へと下がる（図６Ｂ参照）ので、全体として背が低く嵩が小さくすぼまった折り畳み状態を呈する。しかもこの折り畳み状態はロックピン１７で必ずロックされるので、折り畳み用ハンドル１５を動かさないかぎり前記の折り畳み状態が保持され、不用意に展開動作する虞はない。
しかも、上記の折り畳み状態になると、図６Ａ、Ｂのように、リンク腕３３へ取り付けたブレーキ片３４が、折り畳まれた連接リンク１１の凸部１１ａに押されて後輪１の前部へ強く押し付けられてブレーキを掛けた状態となる（図６Ｂ参照）ので、後輪１の回転は必ず強く止められる。よって、当該折り畳み式介護用車椅子の折り畳み保管状態において後輪１が不用意に転がり走り動く虞はないから、周辺に積み重ねた荷物が荷崩れ等を起こす心配がない。 When the folding operation proceeds to the position where the seat plate 6 contacts the back frame 3 (FIGS. 6A and 6B), when the rotational force (folding operation force) applied to the folding handle 15 is released, the handle 15 is driven by the drive spring. The action of pushing the swing arm 16 via the drive block 16a is eliminated along with the action of restoring to the neutral position by the action of 18. Therefore, the lock pin 17 at the tip of the swing arm 16 moves forward by the action of the drive spring 18, and the tip of the lock pin 17 again enters the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11 and the seat plate support arm 7. The locked state where rotation is stopped is established and the folded state of FIG. 6A is determined and restrained.
Thus, in the folding nursing care wheelchair of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the seat plate 6 is in close contact with the back frame 3, and the front wheel 4 sinks into the lower front part of the rear frame 2 and the inside of the rear wheel 1. It becomes a stalemate state. Further, since the backrest frame 3 is lowered downward (see FIG. 6B), the backrest frame 3 as a whole exhibits a folded state in which the back is low and the bulk is small. In addition, since the folded state is always locked by the lock pin 17, the folded state is maintained unless the folding handle 15 is moved, and there is no possibility of inadvertent unfolding operation.
In addition, when in the folded state, the brake piece 34 attached to the link arm 33 is pushed by the convex portion 11a of the folded connecting link 11 and strongly moves toward the front portion of the rear wheel 1 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Since it is pressed and the brake is applied (see FIG. 6B), the rotation of the rear wheel 1 is surely stopped strongly. Therefore, there is no fear of the rear wheel 1 rolling and running carelessly in the folded storage state of the foldable nursing care wheelchair, so there is no fear that the luggage stacked around the load will collapse.

もっとも、上記の折り畳み状態のままでこの車椅子を移動させたい場合には、背もたれフレーム３の上端に取り付けた操縦ハンドル３５を持って、図８に示したように後方側へ引き起こして傾ける。すると後輪１に代わって補助輪３２が接地して走行自在な状態となり、軽便に持ち運べる。
一方、前記折り畳み状態から、車椅子として使用する展開状態へ戻すには、やはり、上記折り畳み用ハンドル１５を逆に前方側（下向き）へ押し回す。すると、やはり折り畳み用ハンドル１５の一定角度の回転に伴い、同ハンドル１５に押された駆動ブロック１６ａを介して揺動腕１６が図５Ｂ中のＲ方向へ揺動され、同揺動腕１６の先端部のロックピン１７を内方へ後退変位させる。かくして同ロックピン１７の先端１７ａは連接リンク１１のピン孔３０から引き抜かれ、座板支持腕７の回転（展開）を許容する状態になる。そこで折り畳み用ハンドル１５を引き続き同方向へ押し回すと、座板支持腕７が前方側下方への回転をすることに伴い、連接バー１０で連結された座板支持枠９及び座板６も同方向へ回転して水平姿勢に復元する展開動作が進む。
こうして最終的には図１Ａの使用状態にまで展開が進む。そこで展開動作が完了した段階で折り畳み用ハンドル１５から手を離すと、やはり同ハンドル１５が中立位置へ復元する動作に伴い、駆動ブロック１６ａを介して揺動腕１６を押す作用が解消するので、同揺動腕１６の先端のロックピン１７は駆動バネ１８の作用で図５Ｂ中の反Ｒ方向へ前進変位してゆく。同ロックピン１７の先端１７ａは再び連接リンク１１のピン孔３０へ進入して座板支持腕７の回転を止めるロック状態になり、図１Ａに示す展開状態を拘束し確定して安定した車椅子の使用を担保する。
上記の展開動作にしたがい必然的に、後輪１へ強く当たっていたブレーキ片３４は、上記の展開動作と共に連接リンク１１による押し付けから解放され、ブレーキ解除の状態になる。 However, when it is desired to move the wheelchair in the folded state, the steering wheel 35 attached to the upper end of the backrest frame 3 is held and tilted as shown in FIG. Then, instead of the rear wheel 1, the auxiliary wheel 32 comes into contact with the ground so that it can run freely and can be carried easily.
On the other hand, in order to return from the folded state to the deployed state for use as a wheelchair, the folding handle 15 is again pushed forward (downward). Then, with the rotation of the folding handle 15 at a certain angle, the swing arm 16 is swung in the R direction in FIG. 5B via the drive block 16 a pushed by the handle 15. The lock pin 17 at the tip is displaced backward inward. Thus, the tip 17a of the lock pin 17 is pulled out from the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11, and the seat plate support arm 7 is allowed to rotate (deploy). Therefore, when the folding handle 15 is continuously pushed in the same direction, the seat plate support arm 9 and the seat plate 6 connected by the connecting bar 10 are the same as the seat plate support arm 7 rotates forward and downward. The unfolding operation that rotates in the direction and restores the horizontal posture proceeds.
Thus, the development finally proceeds to the use state of FIG. 1A. Therefore, if the hand is released from the folding handle 15 when the unfolding operation is completed, the action of pushing the swinging arm 16 via the drive block 16a is canceled along with the operation of restoring the handle 15 to the neutral position. The lock pin 17 at the tip of the swing arm 16 is displaced forward in the anti-R direction in FIG. 5B by the action of the drive spring 18. The distal end 17a of the lock pin 17 enters the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11 again and enters a locked state in which the rotation of the seat plate support arm 7 is stopped. The deployed state shown in FIG. Secure use.
In accordance with the above-described unfolding operation, the brake piece 34 that struck the rear wheel 1 inevitably is released from being pressed by the connecting link 11 together with the unfolding operation, and the brake is released.

本発明に係る折り畳み式介護用車椅子の実施例を使用状態（展開状態）で示した側面図である。It is the side view which showed the Example of the folding-type nursing wheelchair which concerns on this invention in the use condition (expanded condition). 図１Ａの後輪を除去して示した側面図である。It is the side view which removed and showed the rear wheel of FIG. 1A. 同前の折り畳み式介護用車椅子を示す正面図である。It is a front view which shows the same folding type wheelchair for nursing. 同前の折り畳み式介護用車椅子を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the same folding type nursing wheelchair. 本発明に係る折り畳み式介護用車椅子の折り畳み操作を開始した当初の状態を示した側面図である。It is the side view which showed the initial state which started folding operation of the folding type nursing care wheelchair which concerns on this invention. 図４Ａの後輪を除去して示した側面図である。It is the side view which removed and showed the rear wheel of Drawing 4A. 折り畳み用ハンドル部分の構造を示した平面図である。It is the top view which showed the structure of the handle part for folding. 折り畳み用ハンドル部分の構造を示した正面図である。It is the front view which showed the structure of the handle part for folding. 折り畳み用ハンドル部分の構造を示した側面図である。It is the side view which showed the structure of the handle part for folding. 上記折り畳み式介護用車椅子の折り畳み操作を完結した状態を示した側面図である。It is the side view which showed the state which completed folding operation of the said folding type nursing wheelchair. 図６Ａの後輪を除去して示した側面図である。FIG. 6B is a side view showing the rear wheel of FIG. 6A removed. 上記折り畳み操作を完結した折り畳み式介護用車椅子を前面側から示した斜視図である。It is the perspective view which showed the folding-type nursing wheelchair which completed the said folding operation from the front side. 折り畳み状態の折り畳み式介護用車椅子を補助輪で走行移動させる状態を示した側面図である。It is the side view which showed the state which travels and moves the folding-type nursing care wheelchair of a folding state with an auxiliary wheel. 折り畳み操作用ハンドルと揺動腕並びにロックピンなどが関係する構成を分解状態で示した斜視図である。It is the perspective view which showed the structure in which a folding operation handle, a rocking | fluctuation arm, a lock pin, etc. are related in the decomposition | disassembly state.

本発明の折り畳み式介護用車椅子は、大径の後輪１を支持するリヤーフレーム２の上部を、背もたれフレーム３の下部と上下方向への前方回転が自在にピン２０で連結する。小径の前輪４を支持するフロントフレーム５のうち後方側へ屈曲した上部は、前記リヤーフレーム２の前部とジョイント部材４１を介して下向き方向への回転のみが可能にピン２１で連結する。
前記リヤーフレーム２の前部に、座板６を支持する座板支持腕７の後部を上下方向への回転が自在にピン２２で連結し、同座板支持腕７の前部は、前輪支持梁８の上に載る配置とする。同座板支持腕７の中間部と座板６の支持枠９とを上下方向の連接バー１０でピン連結する。同座板支持枠９の後端部は、前記リヤーフレーム２の上部へ上下方向への回転が可能にピン２３で取り付ける。
両サイドの前記フロントフレーム５、５の内側に沿って配置した両側二つの座板支持腕７、７の中間部と、フロントフレーム５の前部の垂直部位５ａとを連接リンク１１でピン連結する。更に、前端を前輪４の支持梁８とピン２４で連結した前後連接リンク１２の他端を、背もたれフレーム３から下方へ延長した延長腕部１３とくの字形に屈曲可能にピン２５で連結する。 In the folding type care wheelchair of the present invention, the upper part of the rear frame 2 that supports the large-diameter rear wheel 1 is connected to the lower part of the backrest frame 3 by a pin 20 so as to freely rotate in the vertical direction. An upper portion of the front frame 5 that supports the small-diameter front wheel 4 that is bent rearward is connected to the front portion of the rear frame 2 via a joint member 41 by a pin 21 so that it can only rotate downward.
The rear portion of the rear frame 2 is connected to the rear portion of the seat plate support arm 7 for supporting the seat plate 6 with a pin 22 so as to freely rotate in the vertical direction. The front portion of the seat plate support arm 7 is supported by the front wheel. It is assumed that it is placed on the beam 8. The intermediate portion of the seat plate support arm 7 and the support frame 9 of the seat plate 6 are pin-connected by a connecting bar 10 in the vertical direction. The rear end portion of the seat plate support frame 9 is attached to the upper portion of the rear frame 2 with a pin 23 so as to be able to rotate in the vertical direction.
An intermediate portion of the two side plate support arms 7, 7 arranged along the inside of the front frames 5, 5 on both sides and a vertical portion 5 a of the front portion of the front frame 5 are pin-connected by a connecting link 11. . Further, the other end of the front / rear connecting link 12 whose front end is connected to the support beam 8 of the front wheel 4 by the pin 24 is connected to the extended arm 13 extending downward from the backrest frame 3 by a pin 25 so as to be bent.

前記両サイドの二つの座板支持腕７、７の間へ跨らせて取付けた繋ぎフレーム１４の上部に、水平方向の前方へ向く配置とした折り畳み用ハンドル１５の基端部を、一定の角度上下方向への回転が可能に取り付ける。前記繋ぎフレーム１４へ中間部をピン２６で取り付けて同繋ぎフレーム１４の長手方向への揺動が可能に設置した揺動腕１６の一端部に、ロックピン１７を繋ぎレーム１４の長手方向に向けて取り付ける。同揺動腕１６の他端部の相互間に駆動バネ１８を連結する。更に前記折り畳み用ハンドル１５が一定の角度上向き又は下向き方向へ回転する際に、駆動ブロック１６ａを介して前記揺動腕１６を前記ロックピン１７が図５ＢのＲ方向へ変位する構成とする。前記ロックピン１７は、その先端部１７ａを前記座板支持腕７へ外向きに貫通させ、更に同座板支持腕７とフロントフレーム５の前部の垂直部位５ａとを連結した連接リンク１１のピン孔３０へ出入り自在に構成する。
更に、前記リヤーフレーム２の下部を後方側へ延長した延長腕部３１における後輪１の外径位置よりも外方へ突き出た位置に、小径の補助輪３２を、常時は大径の後輪１よりも後方側上方の非接地位置の高さに在るように設置する。
また、後輪１の前部へ当たってブレーキを掛けるブレーキ片３４を取り付けたリンク腕３３は、その一端部をリヤーフレーム２の前部へピン２２で揺動自在に連結し、フロントフレームの折り畳み状態において連接リンク１１により押されたブレーキ片３４は後輪１へ押し付けられブレーキを掛ける構成とする。 A base end portion of a folding handle 15 arranged to face forward in the horizontal direction is fixed to an upper portion of a connecting frame 14 that is mounted so as to straddle between the two seat plate support arms 7 on both sides. Attach it so that it can be rotated vertically. A lock pin 17 is connected to one end of a swinging arm 16 that is attached to the connecting frame 14 with a pin 26 so that the connecting frame 14 can swing in the longitudinal direction. And attach. A drive spring 18 is connected between the other ends of the swing arm 16. Further, when the folding handle 15 rotates upward or downward by a certain angle, the rocking arm 16 is displaced in the R direction in FIG. 5B by moving the swing arm 16 through the drive block 16a. The lock pin 17 has an end portion 17a penetrating outwardly to the seat plate support arm 7 and further connecting the link plate 11 connecting the seat plate support arm 7 and the vertical portion 5a of the front portion of the front frame 5. The pin hole 30 is configured to freely enter and exit.
Further, a small-diameter auxiliary wheel 32 is provided at a position projecting outward from the outer-diameter position of the rear wheel 1 in the extended arm portion 31 that extends the lower part of the rear frame 2 rearward, and the large-diameter rear wheel is normally provided. It is installed so that it is at the height of the non-grounding position above the rear side from 1.
Further, the link arm 33 to which the brake piece 34 that hits the front portion of the rear wheel 1 and applies a brake is attached to one end portion of the link arm 33 so as to be swingable to the front portion of the rear frame 2 by the pin 22 so that the front frame can be folded. In this state, the brake piece 34 pressed by the connecting link 11 is pressed against the rear wheel 1 to apply the brake.

次に、本発明を図示した実施例に基づいて説明する。
図１〜図３により理解できるように、本発明の折り畳み式介護用車椅子は、大径の後輪１を支持する左右両側のリヤーフレーム２、２が、その上端部をコ字形のジョイント部材４０と溶接で接合され、同ジョイント部材４０を仲介として、背もたれフレーム３の下部へ上下方向前方側への回転が自在であるようにピン２０で連結されている。一方、小径の前輪４を支持する左右両側のフロントフレーム５、５は、前輪４の垂直な回転軸と接合した垂直部５ａから後方側へ斜め上方に向かって屈曲した上部５ｂが、前記リヤーフレーム２の前部へ溶接で接合した下向きコ字形断面のジョイント部材４１を利用して１本材の構造に繋がれ、且つ下向き方向への回転のみが可能にピン２１で連結されている。 Next, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiment.
As can be understood from FIGS. 1 to 3, the folding-type nursing wheelchair according to the present invention has left and right rear frames 2, 2 that support the large-diameter rear wheel 1, and the upper end portions of which are U-shaped joint members 40. And by means of the joint member 40, the pin 20 is connected to the lower part of the backrest frame 3 so as to be freely rotatable forward in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the left and right front frames 5 and 5 that support the small-diameter front wheel 4 have an upper portion 5b that is bent obliquely upward from the vertical portion 5a joined to the vertical rotation shaft of the front wheel 4 to the rear frame. A joint member 41 having a downward U-shaped cross section joined by welding to the front part of 2 is connected to the structure of one material, and is connected by a pin 21 so that only the downward rotation is possible.

上記した左右両側のリヤーフレーム２、２の前部の比較的低い位置の内側面に、要介護者が乗って座る座板６をほぼ水平姿勢に支持する座板支持腕７、７の後端部が、上下方向への回転が自在にピン２２で連結されている。同座板支持腕７の前部は、左右２個の前輪４、４を支持した両側のフロントフレーム５、５の垂直部５ａ、５ａの間を幅方向へ水平に繋いだ前輪支持梁８の上に載ってほぼ水平姿勢に支持される（図３を参照）。同座板支持腕７の中間部位へ、前記座板６を支持する支持枠９が、上下方向にほぼ垂直な連接バー１０で折り畳み可能にピン連結されている。この座板支持枠９の後部は、上記リヤーフレーム２の後方上部に設けたブラケットへ上下方向への回転が可能にピン２３で取り付けられている。
また、上記した両サイドのフロントフレーム５、５の内側に沿って配置された両側二つの座板支持腕７、７は、その中間部位と、フロントフレーム５の前部の垂直部位５ａとの間が、前記座板支持腕７と同じ高さ位置へ水平方向に配置した連接リンク１１の両端部をピン２６、２７で連結してリンク機構が構成されている。更に図７で明かなように、前端を前輪４、４間の支持梁８とピン２４で連結した前後連接リンク１２の後端は、背もたれフレーム３から下方の前方側へ湾曲しつつ延長された延長腕部１３と、くの字形の屈曲動作が可能に（図６Ｂ参照）ピン２５で連結されている。 Rear ends of seat plate support arms 7 and 7 for supporting the seat plate 6 on which the care recipient sits on a relatively horizontal position on the inner surfaces of the front portions of the left and right rear frames 2 and 2 described above. The parts are connected by pins 22 so as to freely rotate in the vertical direction. The front portion of the seat support arm 7 is a front wheel support beam 8 that is horizontally connected in the width direction between the vertical portions 5a, 5a of the front frames 5, 5 on both sides that support the left and right front wheels 4, 4. It is placed on and supported in a substantially horizontal posture (see FIG. 3). A support frame 9 that supports the seat plate 6 is pin-connected to an intermediate portion of the seat plate support arm 7 by a connecting bar 10 that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. A rear portion of the seat plate support frame 9 is attached to a bracket provided at an upper rear portion of the rear frame 2 with a pin 23 so as to be able to rotate in the vertical direction.
Further, the two side plate support arms 7 and 7 arranged along the inner sides of the front frames 5 and 5 on both sides are located between the intermediate portion thereof and the vertical portion 5a of the front portion of the front frame 5. However, both ends of the connecting link 11 arranged in the horizontal direction at the same height as the seat plate support arm 7 are connected by pins 26 and 27 to constitute a link mechanism. Further, as clearly shown in FIG. 7, the rear end of the front and rear connecting link 12 having the front end connected by the support beam 8 between the front wheels 4 and 4 and the pin 24 is extended while curving from the back frame 3 to the lower front side. The extension arm 13 is connected with a pin 25 so as to be capable of bending in a dogleg shape (see FIG. 6B).

次に、図５Ａ〜Ｃ及び図９を見ると分かり易いように、上記したリヤーフレーム２及びフロントフレーム５の内側に沿って配置された両サイドの二つの座板支持腕７、７の間へ繋ぎフレーム１４を跨らせ、その両端部をほぼ直角下向きに屈曲して形成したブラケット部１４ａ、１４ａが、上記した連接リンク１１の右端部を座板支持腕７へピン連結したピンジョイントボルト２６を共通に使用して、強く固定状態に取り付けられている。
この繋ぎフレーム１４には、図５Ｃと図９に分かり易く記載したとおり、同繋ぎフレーム１４の中央部分に垂直上向きに立ち上がる支持壁１４ｂが形成され、更に同支持壁１４ｂの両側端縁部から前向きにほぼ直角に屈曲させた軸受け片１４ｃ、１４ｃがそれぞれ形成されている。一方、図５Ａのとおり平面視がコ字形をなす折り畳み用ハンドル１５は、その両腕の基端部がカバーケース６０の垂直な前面部へ一体的に接合されている。そして、同カバーケース６０の両側縁部に突設したブラケット６０ａが、前記繋ぎフレーム１４の両側の軸受け片１４ｃ、１４ｃと同心に重ね合わされて、軸ボルト２８により、前記ブラケット６０ａは回転可能に、つまりカバーケース６０及び折り畳み用ハンドル１５が上下方向へ一定の角度回転可能に取り付けられている。 5A to 5C and FIG. 9, between the two seat plate support arms 7 and 7 on both sides arranged along the inner sides of the rear frame 2 and the front frame 5 described above. Bracket portions 14a, 14a formed by straddling the connecting frame 14 and bending both ends thereof downward substantially at right angles are pin joint bolts 26 in which the right end portion of the connecting link 11 is pin-connected to the seat support arm 7. Are used in common and are firmly fixed.
As described in FIGS. 5C and 9 in an easy-to-understand manner, the connecting frame 14 is formed with a support wall 14b that rises vertically upward at the central portion of the connecting frame 14, and further forwards from both side edge portions of the support wall 14b. The bearing pieces 14c and 14c are bent at substantially right angles to each other. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5A, the folding handle 15 having a U-shape in plan view is integrally joined to the vertical front surface portion of the cover case 60 at the base ends of both arms. Then, brackets 60a projecting from both side edges of the cover case 60 are overlapped concentrically with the bearing pieces 14c, 14c on both sides of the connecting frame 14, and the bracket 60a is rotatable by the shaft bolt 28. That is, the cover case 60 and the folding handle 15 are attached so as to be capable of rotating at a certain angle in the vertical direction.

一方、上記繋ぎフレーム１４の支持壁１４ｂの後面側であって、同支持壁１４ｂの左右両側の位置に、繋ぎフレーム１４の長手方向へ、換言すると図５Ｂの左右方向へ揺動する２本の揺動腕１６、１６が、各々の中間部位をピンボルト２９で取り付けて対称的配置に設置されている。この揺動腕１６の下端部に、十分長いロックピン１７が繋ぎレーム１４の長手方向へ、つまり座板支持腕７と直角な両外向き方向に、取付けボルト１９で水平に取り付けられている。また、左右の揺動腕１６、１６の上端部の相互間には、二つの揺動腕１６、１６の上端部を内方へ引き寄せる駆動バネ１８が連結されている。こうして左右二つの揺動腕１６、１６は、前記駆動バネ１８の引っ張り作用を常時受けて、図５Ｂに示した垂直姿勢が中立位置となるように設置されている。そして、前記の中立姿勢において左右のロックピン１７、１７の先端１７ａはそれぞれ、座板支持腕７の該当位置に設けられたピン孔を貫通し、更にその外側位置へピンジョイントボルト２６によりピン連結して設置された連接リンク１１のピン孔３０へ嵌る構成とされている。即ち、前記連接リンク１１には、ピンジョイントボルト２６の位置を中心とする左右対称な配置に２個のピン孔３０ａと３０ｂが設けられ、そのいずれかのピン孔へロックピン１７の先端１７ａが嵌ることにより、座板支持腕７の回転を止めるロック機能が働く構成とされている。 On the other hand, on the rear surface side of the support wall 14b of the connecting frame 14, on the left and right sides of the support wall 14b, the two swinging in the longitudinal direction of the connecting frame 14, in other words, in the horizontal direction of FIG. 5B. The swing arms 16 and 16 are installed in a symmetrical arrangement with their intermediate portions attached by pin bolts 29. A sufficiently long lock pin 17 is connected to the lower end portion of the swing arm 16 and is horizontally attached with attachment bolts 19 in the longitudinal direction of the frame 14, that is, in both outward directions perpendicular to the seat support arm 7. Further, a drive spring 18 is connected between the upper ends of the left and right swing arms 16 and 16 to draw the upper ends of the two swing arms 16 and 16 inward. Thus, the two left and right swing arms 16 and 16 are installed so that the pulling action of the drive spring 18 is always received and the vertical posture shown in FIG. 5B is in the neutral position. In the neutral position, the distal ends 17a of the left and right lock pins 17, 17 pass through pin holes provided at corresponding positions of the seat support arm 7, and are further connected to the outer positions by pin joint bolts 26. It is set as the structure fitted to the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11 installed in this way. That is, the connecting link 11 is provided with two pin holes 30a and 30b in a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the position of the pin joint bolt 26, and the tip 17a of the lock pin 17 is inserted into one of the pin holes. By being fitted, a lock function for stopping the rotation of the seat support arm 7 is configured.

更に具体的に説明すると、当該車椅子が図１Ａの使用状態に展開された場合で、上記した折り畳み用ハンドル１５が水平姿勢で、左右の揺動腕１６、１６が垂直な中立位置に有るとき、各ロックピン１７、１７の先端１７ａは、各連接リンク１１における後方側のピン孔３０ａ（図９参照）へ嵌り、連接リンク１１と座板支持腕７の相対回転を止めたロック状態を呈する。一方、車椅子が図６Ｂ、図８に示す折り畳み状態である場合で、しかも折り畳み用ハンドル１５が水平姿勢で、揺動腕１６、１６が垂直なを中立位置に有るときは、ロックピン１７の先端１７ａは、連接リンク１１の前方寄り位置のピン孔３０ｂへ嵌って、やはり、連接リンク１１と座板支持腕７の相対回転を止めたロック状態を呈する。 More specifically, when the wheelchair is deployed in the use state of FIG. 1A, when the folding handle 15 described above is in a horizontal position and the left and right swing arms 16, 16 are in a vertical neutral position, The distal ends 17a of the lock pins 17 and 17 are fitted in the pin holes 30a on the rear side of the connecting links 11 (see FIG. 9), and exhibit a locked state in which the relative rotation of the connecting link 11 and the seat support arm 7 is stopped. On the other hand, when the wheelchair is in the folded state shown in FIGS. 6B and 8, and when the folding handle 15 is in a horizontal position and the swinging arms 16 and 16 are in the neutral position, the tip of the lock pin 17 17a fits into the pin hole 30b at a position closer to the front of the connecting link 11 and again exhibits a locked state in which the relative rotation of the connecting link 11 and the seat plate support arm 7 is stopped.

一方、上記ロックピン１７によるロック状態の解除操作及び手段は次のように構成されている。
上記した平面視がコ字形をなす折り畳み用ハンドル１５の両腕基端部を接合したカバーケース６０の両側縁部に突設した矩形状のブラケット６０ａは、繋ぎフレーム１４の支持壁１４ｂの両側端縁部の軸受け片１４ｃ、１４ｃと同心に重ねられ、軸ボルト２８によりブラケット６０ａのみが回転可能に、つまり折り畳み用ハンドル１５が上下方向へ一定の角度、例えば上下に１５度程度の角度回転可能に取り付けられている構成は上述した。
折り畳み用ハンドル１５は、図５Ｃに示したように水平姿勢で前方へ突き出す配置を中立位置とされているが、このときカバーケース６０の前記矩形状のブラケット６０ａの下縁部はそれぞれ、上記した左右二つの揺動腕１６、１６を支持するピンボルト２９より下方の位置であって、特にいうと同揺動腕１６を支持するピンボルト２９の位置よりも外寄り方向へ突設された、上面が水平な駆動ブロック１６ａの外寄りに突き出た上面と、図５Ｃに示すようにぴったり接して中立状態を保持する構成とされている。 On the other hand, the unlocking operation and means by the lock pin 17 are configured as follows.
The rectangular brackets 60a projecting from both side edges of the cover case 60 joined with the base ends of both arms of the folding handle 15 having a U-shape in plan view described above are arranged at both side ends of the support wall 14b of the connecting frame 14. The bearing pieces 14c and 14c at the edge are concentrically overlapped so that only the bracket 60a can be rotated by the shaft bolt 28, that is, the folding handle 15 can be rotated at a certain angle in the vertical direction, for example, about 15 degrees up and down. The attached configuration has been described above.
As shown in FIG. 5C, the folding handle 15 is placed in a neutral position so as to protrude forward in a horizontal posture. At this time, the lower edge of the rectangular bracket 60a of the cover case 60 is as described above. The upper surface protrudes outward from the position of the pin bolt 29 that supports the two swing arms 16, 16, and more specifically the position of the pin bolt 29 that supports the swing arm 16. As shown in FIG. 5C, the upper surface of the horizontal drive block 16a that protrudes outward is in close contact with each other to maintain a neutral state.

したがって、車椅子の使用者が、例えば折り畳み操作を行う目的で、上記の折り畳み用ハンドル１５へ図５Ｃの上向き方向へ引き上げる力Ｆ_１を加えると、カバーケース６０のブラケット６０ａは図５Ｃ中に指示した矢印Ｐ方向への回転力を駆動ブロック１６ａの上面に加える。そのため左右二つの揺動腕１６、１６は等しく内方側（矢印Ｒ方向）へ揺り動かされ、結局はロックピン１７の先端１７ａを連接リンク１１のピン孔３０から引き抜くに至り、ロック解除の状態をもたらす。もっとも折り畳み用ハンドル１５を引き上げた際に生じる揺動腕１６の揺れ幅は、上記構成の故に最大でも数ｍｍ程度でしかなく、連接リンク１１のピン孔３０から抜け外れるのが精一杯のストロークで動き、幅厚が十分に大きい座板支持腕７のピン孔から抜けることは決してない。つまり後退したロックピン１７の先端１７ａの位置は、依然として座板支持腕７のピン孔中に嵌っており、同ピンの中心は一定の位置に保持される。
この点は、折り畳み状態の車椅子を図１Ａのような使用状態に展開するため、折り畳み用ハンドル１５を図５Ｃの下向き方向へ引き下げる力Ｆ_２を加え、駆動ブロック１６ａの上面に矢印Ｑ方向の回転力を加えた場合でも全く同様であり、ロックピン１７の先端１７ａは連接リンク１１のピン孔３０から引き抜かれ、ロック解除の状態をもたらす。
そして、上記いずれの場合でも、操作後に折り畳み用ハンドル１５から手を離すと、左右二つの揺動腕１６、１６は、その上端が図５Ａ、Ｂに示したように駆動バネ１８で内方へ常時引っ張られている関係上、それぞれの駆動ブロック１６ａは、その平坦な上面がカバーケース６０のブラケット６０ａの下縁とほぼぴったりと接して安定する状態へ復元する作用が働き、自動的に中立状態へ復元する。 Therefore, wheelchair user, for the purpose of performing, for example, folding operation, when a force F ₁ to increase the upward direction in FIG. 5C to handle 15 folded above, bracket 60a of the cover case 60 has instructed in Figure 5C A rotational force in the direction of arrow P is applied to the upper surface of the drive block 16a. Therefore, the left and right swing arms 16 and 16 are swung equally inwardly (in the direction of arrow R), and eventually the tip 17a of the lock pin 17 is pulled out from the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11, and the unlocked state is reached. Bring. However, the swinging width of the swinging arm 16 generated when the folding handle 15 is pulled up is only a few millimeters at the maximum because of the above-described configuration, and the stroke that can be removed from the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11 is a full stroke. It moves and never gets out of the pin hole of the seat support arm 7 having a sufficiently large width. That is, the position of the tip 17a of the retracted lock pin 17 is still fitted in the pin hole of the seat plate support arm 7, and the center of the pin is held at a fixed position.
This point, to deploy the wheelchair folded state to the use state shown in FIG. 1A, the force F ₂ to lower the folding handle 15 to the downward direction in Figure 5C addition, the rotation of the arrow Q direction to the upper surface of the driving block 16a Even when a force is applied, the same is true, and the tip 17a of the lock pin 17 is pulled out from the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11 to bring about the unlocked state.
In either case, when the hand is released from the folding handle 15 after the operation, the upper left and right swing arms 16 and 16 are inwardly driven by the drive spring 18 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Since each drive block 16a is always pulled, the flat upper surface of the drive block 16a comes into contact with the lower edge of the bracket 60a of the cover case 60 so that the drive block 16a is in a stable state. Restore to.

次に、説明は前後するが、車椅子の座板６は、言わば水洗トイレの座板と同様に、中央部に切り込みが形成されて平面視Ｕ字形状に形成されている。従って、乗車した要介護者は座板６へ座らせたままシャワーによる入浴を行える構成である。しかも座板６の前記中央部の切り込みを通じて操作者の手を差し入れることにより、上記の折り畳み用ハンドル１５を手で掴み、折り畳み操作又は展開操作を行うのに好都合な構成とされている。
両サイドの背もたれフレーム３、３にはそれぞれ、乗車した要介護者が掴まる肘掛け腕７０、７０が、上下方向への起伏操作を可能にする軸支部７１により前方へほぼ水平姿勢に展開するように取り付けられている。
また、左右の前輪４、４の前方位置には、足載せステップ７３が、左右のフロントフレーム５、５へ折り畳み自在に取り付けられている。 Next, the description will be made before and after, but the seat plate 6 of the wheelchair is formed in a U-shape in plan view with a notch formed in the central portion, similarly to the seat plate of the flush toilet. Therefore, the care recipient who has boarded can take a bath by shower while sitting on the seat plate 6. In addition, the operator's hand is inserted through the notch in the central portion of the seat plate 6 so that the folding handle 15 can be grasped by hand to perform a folding operation or an unfolding operation.
The armrest arms 70 and 70, which are held by the care recipient who rides on the backrest frames 3 and 3 on both sides, are unfolded forward in a substantially horizontal posture by a shaft support portion 71 that enables an up and down operation. Is attached.
Further, a footrest step 73 is attached to the front positions of the left and right front wheels 4, 4 so as to be foldable to the left and right front frames 5, 5.

更に、リヤーフレーム２の下部には、後方側へ延びる延長腕部３１が取り付けられ、この延長フレーム３１の先端部には、大径の後輪１の外径位置よりも外方へ少し突き出た位置に、小径の補助輪３２が、当該車椅子を図１Ａに示す通常の使用状態とした時には、後輪１よりも後方側上方の非接地位置の高さに位置するように設置されている。この補助輪３２は、図３で理解できるように、後輪１とは干渉しない内側位置に設置されている。同補助輪３２は、当該車椅子を折り畳んだ際には、例えば図６Ｂに示すように、リヤーフレーム２が後輪１を中心に時計回り方向に回転する動作にしたがい時計回り方向の下向きに回転して、遂には床面等へ接地する状態と成る。そして、背もたれフレーム３の上端へ取り付けた操縦ハンドル３５を後方側（図６Ｂの時計回り）へ引き回して傾けることにより、図８に示したように、補助輪３２で折り畳み状態の車椅子を走行移動させることが可能となる。 Further, an extension arm portion 31 extending rearward is attached to the lower portion of the rear frame 2, and the distal end portion of the extension frame 31 protrudes slightly outward from the outer diameter position of the large-diameter rear wheel 1. When the wheelchair is put into the normal use state shown in FIG. 1A, the auxiliary wheel 32 having a small diameter is installed at a position so as to be positioned at the height of the non-grounding position on the rear side and above the rear wheel 1. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the auxiliary wheel 32 is installed at an inner position that does not interfere with the rear wheel 1. When the wheelchair is folded, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the auxiliary wheel 32 rotates downward in the clockwise direction as the rear frame 2 rotates clockwise around the rear wheel 1. Finally, it will be in a state of grounding to the floor surface. Then, the steering wheel 35 attached to the upper end of the backrest frame 3 is tilted by being pulled backward (clockwise in FIG. 6B) to move the wheelchair in the folded state with the auxiliary wheel 32 as shown in FIG. It becomes possible.

更に、図１Ｂ及び図４Ｂが分かり易いように、ブレーキ片３４を設けたリンク腕３３の上端は、上記した座板支持腕７の後端部をリヤーフレーム２の前部へピン２２で回転可能に取り付けたピン２２を共通に用いて揺動可能に取り付けられている。ブレーキ片３４は、図３に見るとおり、リンク腕３３の下端部からほぼ直角外方へ突き出されており、後輪１の前部へ当たって摩擦制動の機能を発揮する構成とされている。その一方で、前記リンク腕３３の下端部は、リンクバー７４を介して、後輪１、１の中間部位に設置したブレーキペダル７５とも連結されている。つまり、当該車椅子を使用者が通常の使用状態に展開した使用状態時において、必要に応じてブレーキペダル７５を踏むと、リンクバー７４を介した動きで双方の後輪１、１へブレーキ片３４が等しく当たってブレーキを掛けた停車状態とすることができる。
その点はさておき、当該車椅子を用済み後に折り畳んでゆくと、図６Ａ、Ｂの完全折り畳み状態に至った段階で、座板支持腕７と共通にリヤーフレーム２へピン２２で連結されたリンク腕３３と干渉し、同座板支持腕７へ繋ぎフレーム１４と共通にピンジョイントボルト２６で連結された連接リンク１１の折り畳み姿勢として、同連接リンク１１の凸部１１ａによりリンク腕３３乃至ブレーキ片３４が強く押される状態となり、ブレーキ片３４が後輪１へ強く当たってブレーキを掛けた状態となる。 1B and 4B, the upper end of the link arm 33 provided with the brake piece 34 can be rotated by the pin 22 from the rear end portion of the above-described seat plate support arm 7 to the front portion of the rear frame 2. The pin 22 attached to the head is commonly used to swing. As shown in FIG. 3, the brake piece 34 protrudes outward from the lower end portion of the link arm 33 substantially at a right angle, and hits the front portion of the rear wheel 1 to exhibit a friction braking function. On the other hand, the lower end portion of the link arm 33 is also connected to a brake pedal 75 installed at an intermediate portion of the rear wheels 1 and 1 via a link bar 74. That is, when the brake pedal 75 is stepped on as needed when the user is using the wheelchair in the normal use state, the brake piece 34 is moved to both the rear wheels 1 and 1 by movement through the link bar 74. Can be in a stopped state where the brakes are applied with equal hits.
Aside from that, when the wheelchair is folded after use, the link arm connected to the rear frame 2 with the pin 22 in common with the seat support arm 7 when the fully folded state of FIGS. 6A and 6B is reached. 33, the connecting link 11 is connected to the seat support arm 7 by the pin joint bolt 26 in common with the frame 14, and the link arm 33 through the brake piece 34 are formed by the convex portion 11a of the connecting link 11. Will be pressed strongly, and the brake piece 34 will hit the rear wheel 1 strongly and the brake will be applied.

本発明の折り畳み式介護用車椅子は、以上に実施例で説明した構成であるから、折り畳み操作を開始するにあたり、折り畳み用ハンドル１５を上方へ引き上げると、折り畳み用ハンドル１５の引き上げ回転に伴い、同ハンドル１５に接して動きが伝わる駆動ブロック１６ａを介して揺動腕１６を押し、同揺動腕先端部のロックピン１７を内方へ後退変位させてロックピン１７の先端が連接リンク１１のピン孔３０から引き抜かれ、座板支持腕７の回転が可能なロック解除状態になる。その結果、引き続く折り畳み用ハンドル１５の引き上げ回転に伴い、座板支持腕７の上方への回転が進む。これに伴い同座板支持腕７と連接バー１０で連結された座板支持枠９及び座板６が上方へ回転して各々の折り畳み動作が進む。
一方、座板支持腕７とフロントフレーム５の前部の垂直部位５ａとの間に連結された連接リンク１１による拘束リンク運動として、フロントフレーム５は前記座板支持腕７の上方への回転に追従する形で、実質的には一端を前輪４の支持枠８とピン連結された前後連接リンク１２の他端が、背もたれフレーム３から下方へ延長した延長腕部１３と屈曲可能にピン連結されたが故の拘束作用により、同フロントフレーム５の回転は、むしろリヤーフレーム２の前部下側へ潜る回転動作を呈して小さな嵩にすぼまる（図４Ａ）。また、背もたれフレーム３も下方へ下がって、全体の背高が縮まる。 Since the folding-type nursing wheelchair according to the present invention has the configuration described in the above-described embodiment, when the folding handle 15 is lifted upward when starting the folding operation, the folding handle 15 is lifted. The swing arm 16 is pushed through the drive block 16a that is in contact with the handle 15 and the movement is transmitted, and the lock pin 17 at the distal end of the swing arm is retracted inward so that the tip of the lock pin 17 is the pin of the connecting link 11. It is pulled out from the hole 30 and is in an unlocked state in which the seat support arm 7 can be rotated. As a result, the upward rotation of the seat support arm 7 proceeds with the subsequent pulling rotation of the folding handle 15. Along with this, the seat plate support frame 9 and the seat plate 6 connected to the seat plate support arm 7 by the connecting bar 10 rotate upward, and the respective folding operations proceed.
On the other hand, as a restraint link movement by the connecting link 11 connected between the seat plate support arm 7 and the vertical portion 5a of the front portion of the front frame 5, the front frame 5 is rotated upward of the seat plate support arm 7. The other end of the front / rear connecting link 12 which is substantially connected at one end to the support frame 8 of the front wheel 4 is connected to the extended arm portion 13 extending downward from the back frame 3 so as to be bent. Due to the restraining action, the rotation of the front frame 5 is rather reduced to a small volume due to a rotational operation that dives to the lower side of the front part of the rear frame 2 (FIG. 4A). Further, the backrest frame 3 is also lowered downward, and the overall height is reduced.

こうして座板６が背もたれフレーム３へ接する位置まで折り畳み動作が進行した時点（図６Ａ）で、折り畳み用ハンドル１５へ加えた回転力を解除すると、駆動バネ１８の働きで同ハンドル１５が中立位置へ復元する動作に伴い、揺動腕１６を押す作用が解消するため、同揺動腕１６の先端部のロックピン１７は駆動バネ１８の作用で前進してゆき、同ロックピン１７の先端は再び連接リンク１１のピン孔３０へ進入して座板支持腕７の回転を止めたロック状態となる。こうして図６Ａの折り畳み状態が確定し拘束されるので、この折り畳み状態が不用意にばらける危険はない。
かくして本発明の折り畳み式介護用車椅子は、図６Ａに示したように、座板６は背もたれフレーム３へ密接し、前輪４はリヤーフレーム２の前部下側及び後輪１の内側へ潜り込んですぼまり、しかも背もたれフレーム３は下方へ下がるので（図６Ｂ参照）、全体として背が低く嵩が小さくすぼまった折り畳み状態になる。
しかも前記の折り畳み状態になると、必然的に、リンク腕３３へ取り付けたブレーキ片３４は連接リンク１１の凸部１１ａに押されて後輪１へ強く押し付けられブレーキを掛けた状態となり（図６Ｂ参照）、後輪１の回転は強く止められる。よって、収納保管の状態において後輪１が不用意に転がり走り動く虞もない。 When the folding operation proceeds to the position where the seat plate 6 contacts the back frame 3 (FIG. 6A), when the rotational force applied to the folding handle 15 is released, the drive spring 18 acts to move the handle 15 to the neutral position. Since the action of pushing the swing arm 16 is eliminated along with the restoring operation, the lock pin 17 at the tip of the swing arm 16 moves forward by the action of the drive spring 18, and the tip of the lock pin 17 moves again. The lock enters the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11 and stops the rotation of the seat support arm 7. In this way, the folded state of FIG. 6A is determined and restrained, so there is no danger that the folded state is inadvertently scattered.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 6A, the folding care wheelchair according to the present invention is such that the seat plate 6 is in close contact with the back frame 3 and the front wheel 4 is under the front part of the rear frame 2 and inside the rear wheel 1. In addition, since the backrest frame 3 is lowered downward (see FIG. 6B), the folded frame is low and has a small bulk as a whole.
Moreover, in the folded state, the brake piece 34 attached to the link arm 33 is inevitably pressed by the convex portion 11a of the connecting link 11 and strongly pressed against the rear wheel 1 (see FIG. 6B). ), The rotation of the rear wheel 1 is strongly stopped. Therefore, there is no possibility that the rear wheel 1 will inadvertently roll and run in the storage state.

もっとも、上記の折り畳み状態のままで移動したい場合には、背もたれフレーム３の上端に取り付けた操縦ハンドル３５を持って、図８に示したように後方側へ引いて傾けると、補助輪３２が接地して走行自在な状態となり、軽便に持ち運べる。
一方、上記の折り畳み状態から、車椅子としての通常使用の展開状態へ戻す場合は、やはり、上記折り畳み用ハンドル１５を逆に前方側へ押し回す。すると、折り畳み用ハンドル１５の回転に伴い、同ハンドル１５に接して動きが伝わる駆動ブロック１６ａを介して揺動腕１６が押され、同揺動腕１６の先端部のロックピン１７を内方へ後退変位させる。そのため同ロックピン１７の先端は連接リンク１１のピン孔３０から引き抜かれ、ハンドル１５及び座板６並びに座板支持腕７の展開を許容する状態になる。そこで折り畳み用ハンドル１５を引き続き同方向へ押し回すと、その回転に伴い座板支持腕７が前方側下方への回転を進め、連接バー１０で連結された座板支持枠９及び座板６も同様に回転して水平姿勢に復元する展開動作が進む。
最終的に図１Ａの使用状態にまで展開が進み復元動作が完了したことを見計らい折り畳み用ハンドル１５から手を離すと、やはり同ハンドル１５が中立位置へ復元する動作に伴い、揺動腕１６を押す作用が解消するので、同揺動腕１６の先端のロックピン１７は駆動バネ１８の作用で前進変位してゆき、同ロックピン１７の先端は再び連接リンク１１のピン孔３０へ進入して座板支持腕７の回転を止めたロック状態となり、図１Ａに示すように展開した使用状態を確定し保持する。
一方、後輪１へ強く当たっていたブレーキ片３４は、上記の展開動作で連接リンク１１が離れるので、必然、ブレーキ解除の状態になる。 Of course, when the user wants to move in the folded state, holding the steering handle 35 attached to the upper end of the back frame 3 and pulling it backward as shown in FIG. It can be run freely and can be carried easily.
On the other hand, when returning from the folded state to the normally used unfolded state as a wheelchair, the folding handle 15 is again pushed forward. Then, with the rotation of the folding handle 15, the swing arm 16 is pushed through the drive block 16a that is in contact with the handle 15 and the movement is transmitted, and the lock pin 17 at the tip of the swing arm 16 is moved inward. Displace backward. Therefore, the tip of the lock pin 17 is pulled out from the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11, and the handle 15, the seat plate 6, and the seat plate support arm 7 are allowed to expand. Then, when the folding handle 15 is continuously pushed in the same direction, the seat plate support arm 7 advances forward and downward with the rotation, and the seat plate support frame 9 and the seat plate 6 connected by the connecting bar 10 are also provided. Similarly, the unfolding operation to rotate and restore the horizontal posture proceeds.
When the hand is released from the folding handle 15 in anticipation of the completion of the restoration and the restoration operation being completed until the use state of FIG. 1A is finally reached, the swinging arm 16 is also moved along with the operation of restoring the handle 15 to the neutral position. Since the pushing action is eliminated, the lock pin 17 at the tip of the swing arm 16 is moved forward by the action of the drive spring 18, and the tip of the lock pin 17 enters the pin hole 30 of the connecting link 11 again. The seat plate support arm 7 is in a locked state in which the rotation is stopped, and the developed use state is confirmed and held as shown in FIG. 1A.
On the other hand, the brake piece 34 that hits the rear wheel 1 is inevitably in a brake-released state because the connecting link 11 is separated by the above-described unfolding operation.

以上に本発明を図示した実施例に基づいて説明したが、本発明は上述した実施例の構成に限定されるものではない。当業者が必要に応じて通常行う設計変更その他の応用範囲で様々な実施態様が可能であることを念の為に申し添える。 Although the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. It should be noted that various embodiments are possible with design changes and other application areas that would normally be made by those skilled in the art.

１後輪
２リヤーフレーム
３背もたれフレーム
４前輪
５フロントフレーム
６座板
７座板支持腕
８前輪支持梁
９座板支持枠
１０連接バー
１１連接リンク
１２前後連接リンク
１３延長腕部
１４繋ぎフレーム
１５折り畳み用ハンドル
１６揺動腕
１６ａ駆動ブロック
１７ロックピン
１８駆動バネ
３０ピン孔
３１延長腕部
３２補助輪
３３リンク腕
３４ブレーキ片
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rear wheel 2 Rear frame 3 Back frame 4 Front wheel 5 Front frame 6 Seat plate 7 Seat plate support arm 8 Front wheel support beam 9 Seat plate support frame 10 Connection bar 11 Connection link 12 Front and rear connection link 13 Extension arm part 14 Connection frame 15 Folding Handle 16 Swing arm 16a Drive block 17 Lock pin 18 Drive spring 30 Pin hole 31 Extension arm 32 Auxiliary wheel 33 Link arm 34 Brake piece

Claims

The upper part of the rear frame that supports the rear wheel is connected to the lower part of the back frame by a pin that can freely rotate forward in the vertical direction, and the upper part bent to the rear side of the front frame that supports the front wheel is the front part of the rear frame And is connected with a pin that allows rotation in the downward direction,
The rear portion of the seat plate support arm that supports the seat plate is connected to the front portion of the rear frame by a pin that can freely rotate in the vertical direction, and the front portion of the seat plate support arm is placed on the front wheel support beam. The intermediate portion of the seat plate support arm and the support frame of the seat plate are pin-connected by a connecting bar in the vertical direction, and the rear end portion of the seat plate support frame extends to the upper portion of the rear frame in the vertical direction. It is attached with a pin that allows rotation,
The middle part of the two seat plate support arms arranged along the inside of the front frame on both sides and the vertical part of the front frame front part are pin-connected by a connecting link, and one end is supported by the front wheel The other end of the front / rear connecting link connected to the beam and the pin is connected to the extended arm portion extending downward from the backrest frame with a pin so that the dogleg can be bent,
The base of the folding handle, which is arranged to face forward in the horizontal direction, is mounted on the connecting frame that is mounted between the two seat support arms on both sides so that it can rotate up and down at a certain angle. A locking pin is attached to one end portion of a swinging arm that is attached to the connecting frame with a fulcrum pin so that the intermediate part is swingable in the longitudinal direction of the connecting frame, and is directed toward the longitudinal direction of the connecting frame; A drive spring is connected between the other ends of the swing arm, and the operation of the folding handle rotating upward or downward at a certain angle is converted into swing of the swing arm, and the lock pin is A driving block for displacing in the longitudinal direction is installed on the swing arm, and the lock pin has its tip portion penetrating outwardly through the seat plate support arm, and the seat plate support arm and the front frame front portion. Vertical section Characterized in that out to the pin hole of the connecting link linked it is configured to freely bets, folding nursing wheelchair.

In the extended arm that is attached to the lower part of the rear frame and extends rearward, the auxiliary wheel is normally positioned at the tip position protruding outward from the outer diameter position of the rear wheel. The folding nursing care wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the folding nursing care wheelchair is installed so as to be at a height of a grounding position.

One end of the link arm, to which the brake piece that hits the front part of the rear wheel and applies the brake, is pivotally connected to the front part of the rear frame with a pin and is pushed by the connecting link in the folded state of the front frame. The foldable nursing wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the brake piece is pressed against the rear wheel and the brake is applied.