JP2014184101A - Caster walker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a caster walker in which a part for receiving power to travel is provided in the front, and turning type front wheels are provided so that a user does not get tired easily, and which makes travelling stable and supports the user's body easily.SOLUTION: A caster walker includes a saddle part 1 arranged in a cross direction, a control stick 2 that extends from the front of the saddle part upward, and a frame 4 that supports turning type front wheels 7 and a rear wheel 9, and the saddle part 1 and the control stick 2 are integrated together. The lowest part of the control stick 2 is located closer to the front wheel shaft than to the rear wheel shaft in a longitudinal positional relation on a horizontal plane. Power to support a body is received by the saddle part 1, and power to travel and power to change a travelling direction are received by the control stick 2. A brake to be operated by applying a load to the saddle part 1, and a brake to be operated by bending a part of the saddle part 1 are provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to a walker that assists walking.

  As a walker equipped with a handle and wheels for supporting the body, a forward force is transmitted to the vehicle body by grasping a handle portion as disclosed in JP 2010-194193 A or JP 9-168414 A. There is something. However, both of these must keep gripping the handle without rest during propulsion, and require continuous grip. Further, when turning, it is necessary to gradually turn the handle in the direction in which it is desired to advance while applying force forward, and the operation is difficult.

  As walker equipped with the handle which stood up, there are JP, 2006-288867, A, JP, 2007-209490, A, etc. In both cases, the body load is applied to the vehicle body through the elbow, and the handle portion serves as a support for gripping the brake or prevents the elbow from slipping back and forth. Further, the handle part and the armrest part are separate parts, and the user's elbow and hand are in contact with each other at the same time. Therefore, the freedom of the body is limited, and it may be easy to get tired when used for a long time. These walkers are suitable for people with physical disabilities that require their bodies to be supported by elbows, but for those who can walk to some extent, walker is larger than necessary. There are also difficult aspects.

  As a mechanism for braking the walker when used on a downhill or when it is pushed too much, the mechanisms disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2010-194193 and 9-168414 are also provided. In this walker, the finger that grips the handle is released once and the brake is re-gripped, so there is a risk that it will not be in time when control is lost, and if the user loses balance significantly, the user will fall with the walker There is a fear.

JP 2010-194193 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-168414 JP 2006-288867 A JP 2007-209490 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a walker that can be stably driven by a simple and light operation, is less fatigued by a user, and that performs braking at a sudden acceleration or downhill by a simple operation.

  In order to solve these problems, a walker according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a heel part 1 arranged in the front-rear direction, a control stick 2 extending upward from the front end of the heel part 1, and a swivel type front wheel 7. And the rear wheel 9, the frame 4 and the frame 5 that support the heel part, the heel part 1 and the control stick 2 are integrated, and the lowermost part 2b of the control stick adjacent to the heel part 1 is a front-rear positional relationship on the horizontal plane. At a position closer to the front axle than to the rear axle.

  According to the walker of the present invention, the grip is not required because the body is supported by the buttocks so as to be held by the handrail, not the grip as in the conventional walker. In addition, when you want to run a walker, you do not need grip strength and are less tired.

  In the walker according to claim 2 of the present invention, the brake is activated by applying a load to the buttocks 1, and the brake is also activated by bending a part of the buttocks 1.

  According to the walker of the present invention, the brake is applied to the walker only by applying a weight to support the walker without holding the brake lever as in the conventional walker. And when it progresses too much, such as when a walker accelerates rapidly, a part of the buttocks 1 is bent, a brake is applied, and it can be prevented from going too far.

  According to the walker of the present invention, a handrail-like object that does not wobble like a cane moves to a position where it can snuggle up to the user just by pressing it on the side of the hand. If you put weight on the handrail, it will stop at that position and you will not have to worry about running away.

  The perspective view of the walker concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention.   Side view of a walker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.   The perspective view of the collar part concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention   Sectional drawing of the collar part concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention   FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between wheels and control sticks according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.   Sectional drawing of the front-wheel attachment part concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention.   Sectional drawing of the rear wheel concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention   The side view of the brake concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention.   The side view of the brake operation part concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention.   The perspective view of the front-wheel attachment part concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention.   Sectional drawing of the front-wheel attachment part concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention.   The perspective view in the state where the walker concerning Embodiment 3 of the present invention closed.   The perspective view of the walker concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail for each embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the walker according to the present embodiment includes a handrail-like heel part 1 that receives a user's body load, an upright bar-like control joystick 2 that receives a force applied by the user in the traveling direction, a frame 4 and a frame 5. The inter-frame support arch 10, the front wheel support portion 6 and the rear wheel support portion 8, and the front wheel 7 and the rear wheel 9 are configured. The heel part 1 is integrated with the control stick 2, and is also integrated with the rear end portion 3 of the heel part 1, which is also a brake operation part. The frame 4 supports the right front wheel 7a and the left front wheel 7b via the right wheel support portion 6a and the left wheel support portion 6b.

  The lower part of the heel part 1 is a funnel type, and the upper part of the heel part 1 and the frame 5 is firmly joined to support the body load.

  The frames 4 and 5 and the inter-frame support arch 10 are joined to form a triangle to increase the strength of the walker. As in Embodiment 3 to be described later, the joint between the frame 4 and the frame 5 and the joint between the frame 4 and the interframe support arch 10 are rotatably connected, and the joint between the frame 5 and the interframe support arch 10 is connected. You may connect so that sliding is possible upwards.

  By attaching an angle at the joint between the lower end of the frame 5 and the rear wheel support portion 8, it is easy to secure a space for attaching the luggage car. As will be described later, since the rear wheel support portion 8 has a brake disposed therein, it is preferable that the rear wheel support portion 8 be joined after being manufactured as a component separate from the frame 5.

  The frame 5 is divided into two parts by 5a, and the height of the heel part 1 can be adjusted according to the height of the user. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the upper frame may be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the lower frame so that a part of the outer frame is doubled, and it may be fastened and fixed from the outside, or the pin may be penetrated. May be fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control stick 2 is coupled to the front portion of the hook 1 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The height B of the control stick 2 is preferably about 3 cm to 10 cm so as to be higher than the height of the back of the hand. The height A from the ground to the heel part 1 is preferably about 50 to 80 centimeters. The appropriate height varies depending on the height and posture of the user.

  If a hand is placed on the buttocks 1 as shown in FIG. 3, it can be pushed forward by the side of the hand. Since the swivel type front wheel is attached, the walker can be advanced to the right by pressing the left side 2a of the control stick at the base of the thumb, and the right side 2c of the control stick at the base of the index finger. The walker can be moved to the left. Since it moves even if it does not hold like a conventional grip, it can be operated easily even by a person with weak gripping force, and it is also easy for those who have a gripping force.

  Since the heel part 1 and the control stick 2 are seamlessly integrated, the control stick 2 can be pushed on the side of the hand as it is after a step is taken while supporting the body with the palm placed on the heel part 1. That is, although the heel part 1 and the control stick 2 both receive a force from the hand, the heel part 1 receives a force from above, and the control stick 2 receives a horizontal force.

  The heel part 1 does not need to be gripped and can be widened, and the pressure on the palm is distributed to reduce the load. The cross section of the heel part 1 has a cross-sectional shape with no corners as shown in FIG. 4 so that pressure is not concentrated on a part of the palm. In the present embodiment, the cross section is elliptical, but a shape with rounded corners, such as a rounded shape, is preferable. It is preferable to dent the portion close to the control stick 2 like a horse riding “shoe” because the position of the palm is stabilized. The length of the heel part 1 (from the power point 2b when the control stick 2 goes straight to the rear end of the brake operation part) is preferably about 20 cm to 40 cm, and the width of the heel part 1 is preferably about 3 cm to 8 cm. Moreover, the material of the collar 1 may be urethane rubber or a low resilience material in consideration of load and difficulty of sliding, or a leather material having a good touch may be disposed on the surface.

  The cross section of the control stick 2 should also have an elliptical shape with rounded corners, a thickness in the front-rear direction of 2 cm or more and less than 5 cm, and a width of 3 cm or more and less than 8 cm. It is preferable to make it thinner. Moreover, it is preferable that the upper part of the control stick 2 is warped so that the tangent of the tip part is 95 to 130 degrees with respect to the ground. This makes it difficult for the hand to come off when the user loses balance. In addition, it is easy to hold the walker when it is folded and lifted.

It is preferable that the heel part 1 and the control stick 2 are smoothly connected with a radius of curvature of about 1 to 10 centimeters. Thereby, it becomes easy to perform the operation | movement which supports a body, and the operation | movement which advances a walker continuously.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lowermost part 2b of the control stick is in a position closer to the front wheel axis than to the rear wheel axis in the front-rear positional relationship on the horizontal plane. (FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship of the wheel, control stick, and heel on the horizontal plane, so the frame is not drawn.) The lowermost part 2b of the control stick is a power point when the walker goes straight as shown in FIG. is there. An intermediate position between the front wheel shaft and the rear wheel shaft in the front-rear positional relationship on the horizontal plane is C / 2. Whereas the conventional walker pushes and moves, the walker according to the present invention applies a driving force from the front position, so that it is pulled and moved to stabilize the running. Anyone can move easily from the beginning, and practice to get used to it is unnecessary. In a three-wheeled walker, the position of the center of gravity is usually in front of the intermediate position (C / 2). However, when the lowermost part 2b of the control stick is in front of the position of the center of gravity, the running is further stabilized.

  The walker of the first embodiment has one rear wheel. If one rear wheel is used, the weight of the walker can be reduced, and the wheel can be easily placed at a position where it does not interfere with the user's foot. As shown in FIG. 5, the walker of the first embodiment may have two front wheels and one rear wheel arranged on the center line of the walker. By arranging the collar 1 on the center line, the same operation can be performed from either the left or right. The distance D between the front wheels 7a and 7b is 15 centimeters or more, preferably 20 centimeters or more in order to obtain stability in the left-right direction.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the turning portion of the front wheel 7. A front wheel support shaft 12 is inserted into the frame 4 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and a load from the frame 4 is transmitted to the support shaft 12 via a spring 13. The support shaft 12 is preferably provided with a ring 14 made of a material having a good sliding property such as a fluororesin in the gap with the inner diameter portion of the frame 4 to reduce the frictional resistance. The support shaft 12 and the wheel support arm 15 are fitted via bearings 16a and 16b, and can be rotated horizontally. Since the horizontal rotation axis and the center of the front wheel 7 are in a positional relationship deviating from the plan view, the wheel 7 turns so that the wheel 7 faces in the direction in which the walker is to be advanced.

  When a load is applied to the flange portion 1, the spring 13 contracts and the support shaft 12 is pushed into the frame 4. Then, the brake shoe 17 protruding from the frame 4 and the front wheel 7 come into contact with each other, and the rotation of the front wheel 7 is suppressed. That is, when a load is applied to the heel part 1, the front wheel 7 is braked. The brake shoe 17 is hemispherical so that the front wheel 7 turns and comes into contact with the front wheel 7 at any position. It is preferable to have a brake on the front wheel 7 because the entire walker does not rotate when it is about to fall, and it becomes a support.

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the brake of the rear wheel 9. The axle 18 of the rear wheel 9 is fitted to a bearing 19, and the bearing 19 is engaged with a slot in the wheel support portion 8b so as to be slidable up and down. When no load is applied to the collar portion 1, the bearing 19 is at the position E by the biasing force of the spring 20. When a body load is applied to the buttocks 1, the spring 20 contracts and the rear wheel 9 sinks, and the rear wheel 9 comes into contact with the brake shoe 21 at the position F (partially shown by dotted line), so that rolling is suppressed.

  In the present invention, the type in which the latch is fitted into the groove may be used as a mechanism for suppressing rolling, but the type in which the brake pad is pressed as shown in FIG. 7 is more preferable because smooth braking is achieved.

  In this embodiment, both the front and rear wheels have brakes that operate by pushing down the buttocks 1. Therefore, when the weight is applied to the buttocks 1 with the palm, the movement of the walker is suppressed in both the front and rear and the left and right, and a sense of stability like a handrail is obtained. .

  FIG. 8 is a side view of a brake operated with a wire. When the wire 24 is pulled, the brake arm 22 rotates around the fulcrum 23, and the brake shoe 21 comes into contact with the rear wheel 9 to apply the brake. The brake arm 22 is in a fixed position by a spring 25 when the brake is not applied.

  A brake operation mechanism as shown in FIG. 9 is incorporated in the rear end portion 3 of the collar portion 1. A wire connected to the brake of the wheel is drawn in as a wire 24 through the inside of the frame and the like, and is engaged with the L-shaped member 26. The L-shaped member 26 is attached so as to be rotatable around a fulcrum 28 and is biased forward by a spring 32.

  When the brake operation arm 27 is lowered, the cam groove 27a rises around the fulcrum 29 and pushes up the pin 26a. By this movement, the L-shaped member 26 rotates and pulls the wire 24 backward. The brake works when the wire 24 is pulled.

  The hole of the L-shaped member 26 in the portion of the fulcrum 28 is provided with play of several millimeters in the front and rear, so that the pin 26a can get over the mountain of the cam 30. With the cam 30 and the spring 32, the brake operation arm 27 can be maintained in a lowered state and the parking brake can be applied.

  On the downhill, the walker may move forward unintentionally, but if the brake operation arm 27 is lowered, the walker can run while applying the brake. You don't have to keep holding the buttocks so that you don't go too far forward.

  In the present invention, the luggage basket 11 is preferably attached to the rear of the frame 5 on the rear wheel side. Since the heel part 1 is in front of the center of the walker, the frame 5 supports the rear wheel 9 so as to extend rearward, and it is easy to secure a space for attaching the luggage basket. Furthermore, since the center of gravity does not greatly deviate from the center even when a load is loaded, the operation for changing the traveling direction does not become heavy. If you want to load a heavy load, adjust the spring elasticity so that the brake does not remain applied.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the front wheel 7 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view thereof. The front wheel 7 is formed by integrating two tires, and an upper portion thereof is covered with a guard 33. The front wheel support shaft 12 is inserted into the frame 4 and supports a load via a spring 13.

  A brake arm 34 that is movable around a pin 35 is attached to an end of the guard 33 and receives a downward biasing force by a spring 36. A latch 34 a is provided at the tip of the brake arm 34, and a gear groove is formed in the axle 37 of the front wheel 7. A wire 38 is engaged near the center of the brake arm 34.

  At the upper part of the support shaft 12, there is a shoulder portion 12 a with a recess, and a hole is made in the center of the recess to penetrate the wire 38. A stopper 39 is fixed to the penetrated wire 38.

  When a load is applied to the flange portion 1, the spring 13 contracts and the support shaft 12 is pushed into the frame 4. Then, the shoulder portion 12a engages with the stopper 39, and the wire 38 is pulled up. Since the tip of the wire is engaged with the brake arm 34, the brake arm 34 is pulled up, and the latch 34a is fitted into the gear groove of the axle shaft 37. When fitted, the front wheel 7 stops rotating and is braked.

  Even if the wire 38 has a length up to the stopper 39, the above-mentioned brake functions. However, the wire 38 may be further extended like 38a and connected to the wire 24 of the brake operation unit shown in FIG. When connected, the brake operation arm 27 can be used to brake the front wheels.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, the frame is made foldable. As shown in FIG. 12, the joint between the frame 4 and the frame 5 is pivotably mounted, and one of the interframe support arches 10 is pivotally movable and the other is slidably connected upward. Folding reduces the footprint and makes it easier to get on a train or bus, or to get on a car. It can also be used when folded up and down stairs.

  For folding the frame, it is preferable that a spring is loaded inside, a button is provided at the lower part of the collar 1 or the like, and the button is automatically closed when the button is pressed. When returning to the initial state in which the vehicle can run, the wheels are evenly grounded and the flange 1 is pushed down so that the spring can be reset while opening the frame.

(Embodiment 4)
The fourth embodiment is a four-wheel type as shown in FIG. In particular, the brake mechanism according to claim 2 is suitable for a four-wheel type, and is effective in measures for rapid acceleration and prevention of downhill runaway. As shown in FIG. 13, it is preferable to make the tip of the brake operating portion ring-shaped so that it can be easily put on.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 heel part 2 control stick 3 brake operation part 8 rear wheel support part 8a brake cover part 10 support arch 11 luggage basket

Claims (2)

  A heel portion disposed in the front-rear direction, a control rod extending upward from the front end of the heel portion, a swivel type front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frame that supports the heel portion, wherein the heel portion and the control rod are integrated The walker is characterized in that the lowermost part of the control stick adjacent to the saddle is in a position closer to the front wheel axle than to the rear axle in a front-rear positional relationship on a horizontal plane.   A hook provided in the front-rear direction, a control stick extending upward from the front end of the hook, a turning-type front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frame that supports the hook, and braking by applying a load to the hook And the brake is also activated by bending a part of the buttocks.