JP2015077264A - Foot support device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foot support device suitable for use in a wheelchair that is capable of performing a clean and easy operation and improving safety when getting on and getting off a wheelchair.SOLUTION: A foot support device includes a fixed part fixed to a front lower part of a vehicle body of a wheelchair, a foot plate provided rotatably in a first direction from a non-use position vertically erected toward a use position in which it is turned sideways so that a user's feet are put on it, and in a second direction from the use position toward the non-use position with respect to the fixed part, and a positioning mechanism that can stop the foot plate at the use position, an intermediate position between the use position and the non-use position, and the non-use position, and generates first resistance force resisting the rotation in the first direction of the foot plate, and second resistance force resisting the rotation in the second direction of the foot plate. The second resistance force by the positioning mechanism is equal to or larger than the first resistance force.

Description

  The present invention relates to a foot support device that is easy to operate and can be used cleanly and safely.

  The foot plate (footrest plate) attached to a wheelchair or the like is moved from an unused position (closed position) to a used position (opened) by an operator (or a wheelchair user (patient)). There are many things that can be moved (opened and closed) to (position). In such a foot plate, for example, when an assistant touches the foot plate directly and moves it to the use position, it becomes unsanitary and the posture of crouching each time, so there is a problem that a burden is placed on the waist of the assistant. is there.

  For this reason, in the conventional foot plate, an operation lever capable of remotely opening and closing the foot plate is provided on the armrest of the wheelchair, the hand handle portion, etc., and this can be performed without touching the foot plate directly by operating the operation lever. A technique for opening and closing the door is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a ratchet mechanism is known in which the foot plate can be stopped at an arbitrary position between the unused state and the used state (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2009-213862 A JP 2011-255138 A

  However, the conventional foot plate has the following problems when the foot of the wheelchair user is not placed on the foot plate even though the foot plate is in the use state (open position). there were.

  For example, in a configuration in which the foot plate is operated by the operating lever, if the timing of the operating lever is incorrect, the user of the wheelchair will sit on the foot plate in the use position when the user tries to get up from the wheelchair by dropping his foot on the floor. If the user falls and falls, or the user gets on or off the wheelchair, the user's body or clothes may be caught on the foot plate, which may prevent safe getting on and off.

  Further, in a configuration that includes a ratchet mechanism and can be stopped at an arbitrary position on one side (for example, the opening direction), the movement is restricted unless the ratchet mechanism is released when moving to the other side (the closing direction). In other words, if the user's body or clothes are caught on the foot plate that stops at a slightly open position from the closed position in the unused state, there is a possibility that it cannot move in the closing direction instantly. In some cases, it will be a hindrance to safe boarding.

  In addition, caregivers often do not realize that the user's foot has fallen from the foot plate. In such a case, if the caregiver continues to drive the wheelchair, it may cause an accident such as the user's feet and clothes getting caught in the wheelchair. That is, when a user's foot falls from the foot plate, it is desired not only to open and close the foot plate, but also to make it easy to recognize the fall of the foot so that the operation of the wheelchair can be stopped immediately. .

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide a foot support device suitable for use in a wheelchair, which can be operated cleanly and easily, and can improve safety when getting on and off the wheelchair. .

  (1) The present invention is a fixed portion that is fixed to the front lower part of the vehicle body of a wheelchair, and a use position where the user's feet are placed by tilting sideways from an unused position raised vertically with respect to the fixed portion. A foot plate rotatably provided in a first direction toward the second direction from the use position toward the unused position; and the foot plate, the use position, the use position, and the unused position. A first resistance force capable of stopping at an intermediate position between the positions as well as the unused position and resisting rotation of the foot plate in the first direction, and the second direction of the foot plate. A positioning mechanism that generates a second resistance force that resists the rotation of the positioning mechanism, wherein the second resistance force of the positioning mechanism is equal to or greater than the first resistance force. The foot support device.

  (2) In the present invention, the positioning mechanism includes a groove member in which an immersion groove is formed along a direction in which the foot plate rotates, and the foot plate is inserted into the immersion groove to place the foot plate in the unused position. The immersion member that stops at either the intermediate position or the use position, and the immersion member are urged in a direction in which the foot plate rotates in the first direction and a direction in which the immersion member is immersed. The foot support device according to (1) above, further comprising an immersion member urging means.

  (3) In the present invention, the groove member is a disk-like body in which a plurality of the immersion grooves are arranged at least at a part of a peripheral edge, and the immersion member has a curved surface at least in contact with the immersion groove. The foot support device according to (2) above, wherein the foot support device is a columnar member that can be sequentially immersed in the immersion groove by moving in a circumferential direction at the peripheral edge.

  (4) The present invention also includes a foot plate urging means for urging the foot plate toward the unused position, and the foot plate rotating in the first direction beyond the use position. And a retraction mechanism that retracts the immersion member to a position retracted from the immersion groove, and the foot plate biasing unit is configured to retract the immersion member from the immersion groove by the retraction mechanism. The foot support device according to (2) or (3), wherein the foot plate is moved to the unused position.

  According to the foot support device of the present invention, it is possible to provide a foot support device suitable for use in a wheelchair, which can be cleaned and easily operated and can improve safety when getting on and off the wheelchair. Can be played.

(A) It is a side view of the wheelchair provided with the foot support device of this embodiment. (B) It is an external appearance perspective view of a foot support apparatus (for right feet). It is a side view which permeate | transmits and shows a part of foot support apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the opening / closing operation | movement of the foot support apparatus of this embodiment, (a) It is a side view in case a foot plate exists in an unused position, (b) It is a side view in case a foot plate exists in an intermediate position. (C) It is a side view in case a footplate exists in a use position, (d) It is a side view in case a footplate exists in a movement control position. It is a figure explaining the positioning mechanism of this embodiment, (a) It is a top view which shows the locking plate of a 1st positioning part, (b) It is a top view which shows the lock release plate of a 1st positioning part, (c) It is a top view which shows the spacer of a 1st positioning part, (d) It is a side view of a 2nd positioning part, (e) It is the top view which looked at FIG.4 (d) from the direction of the arrow. It is a figure which shows the opening / closing operation | movement of the foot support apparatus of this embodiment, (a) It is a side view in case a foot plate exists in an unused position, (b) It is a side view in case a foot plate exists in an intermediate position. (C) It is a side view in case a footplate exists in a movement control position. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a part of the positioning mechanism of FIG. 5 extracted, (a) is a diagram when the foot plate is in an unused position, (b) is a diagram when the foot plate is in an intermediate position, c) It is a figure in case a footplate exists in a movement control position. It is the schematic which shows the positional relationship of the latching plate of this embodiment, and a 2nd positioning part, and the urging | biasing direction of a 2nd positioning part.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 are examples of embodiments of the present invention, and in the subsequent drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components. Moreover, in each figure, the structure unnecessary for description may be abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of a foot support device 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 (a) is a side view of a wheelchair W provided with the foot support device 10, and FIG. 1 (b) is a foot support device. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of 10 (for right foot). The foot plate 12 in FIG. 1 (a) shows the foot plate 12 in the unused position (closed state), and the foot plate 12 in FIG. 1 (b) is in the used position (open state). The foot plate 12 is shown. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the foot support device 10 for the right foot, and is a side view of the state in which the foot plate 12 is used as viewed from the front end side (inner side) of the foot plate 12. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the foot support device 10 of the present embodiment is used by being attached to a wheelchair W, and includes a fixing portion 11, a foot plate 12, and a positioning mechanism 13.

  Since the wheelchair W has the same configuration as the known wheelchair, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the wheelchair W has a pair of fixed shafts 50 on both side surfaces of the front lower portion of the vehicle body. A rod-shaped fixing portion 11 is attached to the fixed shaft 50 of the wheelchair W. One end of the fixing portion 11 is fitted with a coupling member 11A such as a screw, for example, and can be easily attached or exchanged by screwing it to the fixing shaft 50 of the wheelchair W.

  The foot plate 12 is, for example, a plate-like member on which a part of the sole can be placed, and is rotatably attached to the other end of the fixed portion 11 via a positioning mechanism 13 accommodated in the case body 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the foot plate 12 is provided on the outer surface of the case body 20 that houses the positioning mechanism 13. The foot plate 12 and the case body 20 are integrally formed by injection molding of a resin material or a mold. Further, the foot plate 12 may be fixed to the case body 20 with screws (or an adhesive). A rotating shaft 21 is inserted through the case body 20, and one end (right end in the illustrated state) of the rotating shaft 21 is connected to the lower end portion of the fixed portion 11. Thus, the foot plate 12 is rotatable in the first direction and the second direction within the range of a predetermined rotation angle with respect to the fixed portion 11 around the rotation shaft 21.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the aspect of rotation of the foot support apparatus 10 is demonstrated. 3 is a schematic side view of the foot support device 10. FIG. 3A is a side view of the foot plate 12 in an unused position, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the foot plate 12 in an intermediate position. FIG. 4C is a side view when the foot plate 12 is in the use position, and FIG. 4D is a side view when the foot plate 12 is in the movement restricting position. .

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the unused position refers to a position where the foot plate 12 is vertically erected. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the use position refers to a position in which the foot plate 12 is placed sideways so that the foot plate 12 is almost parallel to the floor surface and the user's feet can be placed thereon. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, a position between the unused position and the used position is called an intermediate position, and the intermediate position includes a plurality of positions. Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, the foot plate 12 can be opened to a position rotated slightly in the floor direction slightly beyond the use position (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 4D). This position is called a movement restriction position. As described above, in the foot support device 10 of the present embodiment, the foot plate 12 is centered on the rotation shaft 21 between the unused position (FIG. 1A) and the movement restriction position (FIG. 3D). , Turnable. The maximum rotation angle from the unused position of the foot plate 12 to the movement restriction position is larger than the rotation angle from the unused position to the use position. Further, it can be stopped without being held by an assistant or the like at any position between the unused position (FIG. 1A) and the used position (FIG. 3C).

  Further, in the present specification, the first direction is a rotation direction from the unused position toward the use position (movement restriction position) (opening the foot plate 12), and the second direction is the first direction. The rotation direction is the direction opposite to the direction from the use position (movement restriction position) to the unused position (closes the foot plate 12). In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the first direction is referred to as an opening direction O, and the second direction is referred to as a closing direction C.

  Referring again to FIG. 2, the foot plate 12 is biased toward the unused position by a foot plate biasing means such as a torsion spring 14. The torsion spring 14 is accommodated in the case body 20, wound around the connection portion with the fixed portion 11 of the rotating shaft 21, and one end thereof is coupled to the foot plate 12.

  When the foot plate 12 is opened beyond the use position (up to the movement restriction position), the foot plate 12 is automatically moved to the unused position by the urging force of the torsion spring 14. That is, it cannot be stopped in a state where the assistant or the like does not hold the foot plate 12 (a state where no external force is applied) at the movement restriction position.

  The case body 20 is provided with a footrest plate 23 at a position facing the mounting position of the foot plate 12. The foot plate 12, the case body 20, and the footrest plate 23 are integrally rotated with respect to the fixed portion 11 about the rotation shaft 21.

  The positioning mechanism 13 is accommodated in the case body 20, and is connected to the rotating shaft 21 and the foot plate 12 to rotate the foot plate 12 in the above-described manner. It is possible to stop at an unused position.

  The positioning mechanism 13 includes a first positioning portion 13A attached to the rotating shaft 21 side and a second attaching portion 13B attached to the foot plate 12 side. The second positioning portion 13B is attached to the first positioning portion 13A. It is configured to engage with a part thereof while being urged. Thereby, when the positioning mechanism 13 rotates the foot plate 12 in the opening direction O (see FIG. 3), the positioning mechanism 13 generates a first resistance force against this, and the foot plate 12 is closed in the closing direction C (FIG. 3). 2), a second resistance force against this is generated. The second resistance force is equal to or greater than the first resistance force, and preferably the second resistance force is greater than the first resistance force. That is, the foot plate 12 of the present embodiment can be rotated in both the opening direction and the closing direction by a foot or the like, but the rotation in the closing direction is more than the rotation in the opening direction. The resistance is large and it is difficult to rotate. Further, in the present embodiment, even when rotating between a plurality of intermediate positions, the resistance force is larger and the rotation is difficult when rotating in the closing direction than when rotating in the opening direction. It has become a thing.

  4 is an exploded view of the positioning mechanism 13, and FIGS. 4A to 4C are exploded views of the first positioning portion 13A, and are plan views viewed from the direction of the rotation axis. (A) is a view of the locking plate 131, (b) is a view of the lock release plate 137, and (c) is a view of the spacer 138. FIG. 4D is a side view of the second positioning portion 13B, and FIG. 4E is a plan view of FIG. 4D viewed from the direction of the arrow (the direction of the rotation axis).

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C and FIG. 2, the first positioning portion 13A includes a locking plate 131, a lock releasing plate 137, and a spacer 138 (first spacer 138A) attached around the rotating shaft 21. , The second spacer 138B). The stacking order of the first positioning portion 13A is the unlocking plate 137, the second spacer 138B, the locking plate 131, and the first spacer 138A from the torsion spring 14 side.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the locking plate 131 is a substantially disk-shaped body, and is a groove member in which a plurality of immersion grooves 131T are formed in a part of the peripheral edge. The locking plate 131 is fixed to the rotation shaft 21 through the opening OP at the center (see FIG. 2). More specifically, the rotating shaft 21 is inserted into the opening OP at the center portion of the first spacer 138A shown in FIG. 5C, and both are fixed by welding or screws, and the locking plate is attached to the first spacer 138A. 131 is fixed by screws or the like. As a result, the locking plate 131 can rotate about the rotation shaft 21 as the rotation shaft 21 rotates, that is, the foot plate 12 rotates. The rotation direction of the locking plate 131 is the same as the direction in which the foot plate 12 rotates (opening direction and closing direction). The immersion groove 131T is a recess formed by processing a part of the peripheral edge (circumferential surface) of the locking plate 131 into a concavo-convex shape, and is configured with a curved surface in a top view shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the lock release plate 137 is also a substantially disk-like body, and has a first notch 137A, a second notch 137B, and a third notch 137C at a part of the peripheral edge. . The length along the circumferential direction of the first notch portion 137A is substantially the same as the circumferential length of the plurality of immersion grooves 131T (immersion groove group) of the locking plate 131 shown in FIG. The immersion groove 131T can be exposed from the first notch 137A. Further, the second notch portion 137B is formed in a trapezoidal shape, and the third notch portion 137C is formed in a triangular shape, and the maximum depth of the second notch portion 137B (the maximum depth in the radial direction of the lock release plate 137). Is shallower than the maximum depth of the first notch 137A and deeper than the maximum depth of the third notch 137C. Further, the unlocking plate 137 is provided with an arcuate guide hole 137D penetrating the unlocking plate 137 in the thickness direction inside the peripheral edge.

  The unlocking plate 137 is disposed away from the locking plate 131 via the second spacer 138B (FIG. 5C). Although the rotary shaft 21 is inserted through the opening OP provided in the central portion of the lock release plate 137, the rotary shaft 21 is not fixed. In other words, the lock release plate 137 can rotate and move relative to the locking plate 131, and can move integrally with the locking plate 131 under certain conditions. The lock release plate 137 is a retracting mechanism for the second positioning portion 13B shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E, and the operation thereof will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E, the second positioning portion 13B includes a locking roller 132, a locking roller spring 133, a locking roller holding portion 134, a holding shaft 135, and a locking claw. 136.

  The locking roller 132 is an immersing member that can sequentially immerse into the plurality of immersing grooves 131T by moving in the circumferential direction at the peripheral edge of the locking plate 131, and immersing the foot plate 12 in the immersing grooves 131T. Stop at any of the unused, intermediate or used positions. The major axis direction of the locking roller 132 extends in parallel with the rotary shaft 21 (not shown here), and the length thereof is determined between the locking plate 131 and the lock release plate 137 stacked in the first positioning portion 13A. The length is in contact with each other (the length from the stacked locking plate 131 to the lock release plate 137 is more than the thickness) (see FIG. 2). The locking roller 132 is urged in the direction of the first positioning portion 13 </ b> A by the locking roller spring 133. More specifically, the locking roller 132 is held at one end (tip) of an arm-shaped locking roller holding portion 134, and a holding shaft 135 is inserted into the other end of the arm of the locking roller holding portion 134. The locking roller holding part 134 is rotatable around a holding shaft 135. A retaining roller spring 133 is wound around the holding shaft 135, and one end of the retaining roller spring 133 is connected to the retaining roller holding portion 134. As a result, the holding shaft 135, the locking roller holding part 134 and the locking roller spring 133 serve as a biasing means for the locking roller 132, and the locking roller 132 is urged by the biasing force of the locking roller spring 133. 12 is urged in a direction to rotate 12 in the opening direction and in a direction to be immersed in the immersion groove 131 </ b> T of the locking roller 132. The locking claw 136 engages with the second cutout portion 137B and the third cutout portion 137C of the lock release plate 137, which will be described later.

  With reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the opening / closing operation | movement of the foot support apparatus 10 is demonstrated in detail. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a part of the foot support device 10 in a transparent manner, FIG. 5 (a) is a side view of an unused position, and FIG. 5 (b) is a side view of an intermediate position. FIG. 4C is a side view of the movement restriction position. In FIGS. 5B and 5C, a part of the fixing portion 11 and the foot plate 12 is omitted, and the use position is indicated by a broken line. 6 is a view showing a part of the positioning mechanism 13 shown in FIG. 5, in which FIG. 6A is a side view of an unused position (initial position), and FIG. 6B is an intermediate position. FIG. 4C is a side view of the movement restriction position.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the unused position, the foot plate 12 is raised and held along the extending direction of the fixing portion 11. In this state, the footrest plate 23 protrudes substantially parallel to the floor surface. When the foot support device 10 is used in this state, an assistant or a wheelchair user puts his / her foot on the footrest plate 23 and steps in the direction of the arrow, whereby the footplate 12 rotates in the opening direction O.

  In the unused position, as shown in the initial position diagram of FIG. 6A, the locking roller 132 is immersed in the immersion groove 131T located at the end (starting end S) of the immersion groove group of the locking plate 131. To do. At this time, the locking claw 136 is engaged with the second notch 137B of the lock release plate 137. As described above, the locking roller 132 is biased by the locking roller spring 133 (not shown here) so as not to be detached from the immersion groove 131T. That is, unless an external force is applied to the foot plate 12, the engagement between the immersion groove 131T located at the start end S and the locking roller 132 is maintained, and the foot plate 12 stops at the unused position.

  When an assistant or the like steps on the foot plate 23, the foot plate 12 moves in the opening direction O as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the foot plate 12 stops at an intermediate position at that time even when the foot is released from either the footrest plate 23 or the foot plate 12 (even if no external force is applied to the foot plate 12). Further, since the foot plate 12 can be stopped at an arbitrary intermediate position, the foot plate 12 can be reliably rotated from the unused position to the intermediate position even if the amount of depression of the footrest plate 23 is different each time. . After the foot plate 12 is slightly opened from the unused position, the foot plate 12 can be further rotated in the opening direction O by stepping on the tip portion of the foot plate 12 (without using the footrest plate 23).

  When the foot plate 12 moves from the unused position to the intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 6B, the locking roller holding portion 134 is centered on the holding shaft 135 and is counterclockwise as shown by the broken line arrow. The locking roller 132 is rotated in the direction of rotation, and is disengaged from the immersion groove 131T located at the start end S while resisting the urging force of the locking roller spring 133, gets over the convex portion 131C, and then enters the next immersion groove 131T. Immerse yourself in. In this way, as the foot plate 12 rotates in the opening direction (relatively, the locking plate 131 rotates in the clockwise direction), the locking roller 132 is sequentially immersed in the immersion groove 131T and the immersion groove 131T. Head towards the end E of the group. The immersion groove 131T at the intermediate position has the same configuration as the immersion groove 131T at the start end S, and the foot plate 12 stops at the intermediate position while the locking roller 132 is immersed in the immersion groove 131T.

  Further, the engaging plate 131 is provided with an engaging portion 131G on the surface thereof. Here, the engaging portion 131G is a screw that fixes the locking plate 131 and the first spacer 138A. The engaging portion 131G is inserted through the guide hole 137D of the lock release plate 137. The locking plate 131 is fixed to the rotating shaft 21 and rotates as the rotating shaft 21 rotates. However, since the unlocking plate 137 is not fixed to the rotating shaft 21, the locking roller 132 is connected to the locking plate 131. When moving along the circumferential direction and moving toward the immersion groove 131T of the end E (in the counterclockwise direction), the locking plate 131 is relatively reverse (clockwise direction) in the illustrated state. ) The lock release plate 137 and the locking plate 131 move relative to each other while the engaging portion 131G can move in the guide hole 137D. The length of the arc of the guide hole 137D corresponds to the rotation angle of the foot plate 12 from the unused position to the used position. Further, the locking plate 131 is provided with a lock release plate moving portion 131R on the surface thereof. The unlocking plate moving part 131R is a protruding member that moves the unlocking plate 137.

  Even when the locking roller 132 moves along the circumferential direction of the locking plate 131 and is immersed in the next immersion groove 131T, the maximum depth of the second notch 137B is the immersion depth of the immersion groove 131T. Since it is deeper than the insertion depth, the engagement relationship between the second notch 137B and the locking claw 136 is not affected. That is, the locking claw 136 is maintained in a state of being engaged with the second notch 137B.

  In addition, in the use position (broken line) in FIG.5 (b), in FIG.6 (b), the locking roller 132 immerses in the immersion groove | channel 131T of the end end E shown by the arrow. That is, in this case, as in the case of the intermediate position, the foot plate 12 stops at the use position even if the foot is removed from the foot plate 23 or the foot plate 12 (even if no external force is applied).

  As shown in FIG. 5C, when the foot plate 12 is stepped on to the movement restricting position beyond the use position (broken line), the positioning (stopping) of the foot plate 12 by the positioning mechanism 13 is released, and the foot is moved to the foot plate. When lowered from 12, the foot plate 12 rotates in the closing direction C by the biasing force of the torsion spring 14, and stops at the unused position. That is, the foot plate 12 can be returned to the unused position without any operation by the assistant or the user just by depressing the foot plate 12 to the movement restriction position.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6C, the lock release plate 137 retracts the locking roller 132 from the immersion groove 131T when the foot plate 12 rotates in the opening direction beyond the use position. Thus, the positioning by the positioning mechanism 13 is released. In the intermediate position shown in FIG. 6B, the lock release plate 137 and the lock plate 131 are relatively movable, and the lock claw 136 is engaged with the second notch 137B of the lock release plate 137. Match. However, when the locking roller 132 is immersed in the immersion groove 131T at the end end E shown in FIG. 5B, the engaging portion 131G moves to the end of the guide hole 137D as indicated by the broken line. The locking plate 131 cannot be moved relative to the lock release plate 137. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5C, the lock release plate moving portion 131R comes into contact with the right end portion of the first notch portion 137A. Therefore, after that (when the foot plate 12 is further moved in the opening direction), the locking plate 131 and the unlocking plate 137 are engaged by the unlocking plate moving part 131R, and integrally (the unlocking plate 137 is As it is pushed out by the unlocking plate moving part 131R), it rotates in the clockwise direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6C, the locking claw 136 is detached from the second notch portion 137B and engaged with the third notch portion 137C. Since the third notch 137C is shallower than the second notch 137B, the locking roller 132 is pushed out from the peripheral edge of the locking plate 131 in the outer peripheral direction, and the locking roller 132 is locked. Detach completely from the plate 131. The locking plate 131 is rotatable and moves in a counterclockwise direction relative to the lock release plate 137.

  As a result, the engaging portion 131G moves inside the guide hole 137D toward the initial position shown in FIG. 6A, and when the engaging portion 131G reaches the end on the initial position side, the locking plate 131 is locked again. Relative movement with respect to the release plate 137 is impossible. At this time, the unlocking plate moving part 131R contacts the left end of the first notch 137A, and the unlocking plate moving part 131R pushes the unlocking plate 137 counterclockwise. As a result, the locking claw 136 is detached from the third cutout portion 137C and is engaged with the second cutout portion 137B again to return to the initial position shown in FIG.

  Note that the lock release plate 137 may be moved by the engaging portion 131G without providing the lock release plate moving portion 131R. That is, in the state where the engaging portion 131G moves to the end of the guide hole 137D and the locking plate 131 cannot move relative to the lock releasing plate 137 as indicated by the broken line in FIG. When the foot plate 12 is further moved in the opening direction, the engaging plate 131 and the lock releasing plate 137 are engaged by the engaging portion 131G, and integrally rotate in the clockwise direction. Good. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6C, the locking claw 136 is detached from the second notch portion 137B and engaged with the third notch portion 137C. In this case, in FIG. 6C, when the locking roller 132 is completely detached from the locking plate 131, the locking plate 131 becomes rotatable, so that the engaging portion 131G is formed inside the guide hole 137D as shown in FIG. It moves toward the initial position shown in FIG. When the engagement portion 131G reaches the end on the initial position side, the engagement plate 131 and the lock release plate 137 are engaged by the engagement portion 131G, and the lock release plate 137 and the lock plate 131 are integrally formed. Moving. Thereby, the latching claw 136 can be detached from the third cutout portion 137C and engaged with the second cutout portion 137B again to return to the initial position shown in FIG.

  When the locking roller 132 is separated from the immersion groove 131T by the lock release plate 137 and retracted in the outer circumferential direction, the foot plate 12 is released from the positioning and moved to the unused position by the biasing force of the torsion spring 14.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when positioning by the positioning mechanism 13 is cancelled | released and it returns to an unused position, it is the structure which an operation sound (contact sound) produces. Thereby, the assistant can easily recognize that the user's foot has fallen from the foot plate 12, and the operation of the wheelchair W can be stopped.

  In the present embodiment, the foot plate 12 can be operated with a foot or the like to rotate in the closing direction (see FIGS. 5B and 3). That is, the locking roller 132 can be immersed in the plurality of immersion grooves 131T while moving in the clockwise direction in FIG. Further, even when the foot plate 12 is rotated in the closing direction, the immersion member 132 is immersed in the immersion groove 131T as in the opening direction, so that the foot plate 12 can be stopped at an arbitrary intermediate position.

  However, in the present embodiment, a resistance force is added by the positioning mechanism 13 when rotating in the opening direction and the closing direction, and the resistance force is greater when rotating in the closing direction than when rotating in the opening direction. This will be described below.

  As described above, the foot plate 12 is engaged between the unused position and the used position by being urged by the locking roller spring 133 so that the locking roller 132 and the immersion groove 131T are not separated. It is possible to stop at the position. On the other hand, it is possible to turn both in the opening direction and in the closing direction depending on the shape of the locking roller 132 and the immersion groove 131T. The locking roller 132 must be separated from the immersion groove 131T against the urging force (resistance force) of the spring 133. That is, in order to compare the resistance force (ease of rotation) in the opening direction and the closing direction of the foot plate 12, the force when the locking roller 132 separates from the immersion groove 131T (holding of the locking roller). The force by which the portion 134 is rotated about the holding shaft 135 in the direction in which the portion 134 is detached from the immersion groove 131T may be considered.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the locking plate 131 and the second positioning portion 13B and the urging direction of the second positioning portion 13B. In the figure, a virtual line V1 indicated by a straight broken line represents an immersion direction when the locking roller 132 is immersed in the immersion groove 131T of the start end S. Further, a broken-line thick arrow shown inside the locking plate 131 indicates a direction in which the locking roller 132 is urged by a locking roller spring 133 (not shown here), and a broken-line thin arrow indicates the urging force. The direction of the locking plate 132 is counterclockwise along the direction in which the locking roller 132 is immersed and the direction in which the foot plate 12 is rotated in the opening direction (that is, along the tangential line of the locking plate 131 (immersion groove 131T)). It is shown by disassembling the component in the direction of rotating around. A virtual line V2 indicated by a one-dot chain line represents a trajectory in which the locking roller 132 rotates around the holding shaft 135, and a virtual line V3 indicated by a one-dot chain line represents the center of the locking roller 132. A straight line connecting the centers of the axes 135 is shown.

  FIG. 6A shows the configuration of the present embodiment, in which the locking roller 132 is rotated in the opening direction by the locking roller spring 133, and the locking roller 132 is an immersion groove. It is an example in the case of being urged in the direction of immersion in 131T and engaging with the immersion groove 131T.

  In this state, when an external force is applied to the foot plate 12 and the foot plate 12 rotates in the opening direction, the locking plate 131 relatively rotates in the clockwise direction. Thereby, for example, the locking roller 132 comes into contact with the immersion groove 131T on the left side of the imaginary line V1, and a force F (solid arrow) due to the rotation of the locking plate 131 is generated in the locking roller 132 as illustrated. . Of this force F, the force for rotating the locking roller holding part 134 in the direction of separating from the immersion groove 131T around the holding shaft 135 (hereinafter referred to as the force for releasing the locking roller 132) is the virtual force F. The force F1 is vector-decomposed into the tangential component of the line V2.

  On the other hand, when the foot plate 12 is rotated in the closing direction, the locking plate 131 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the illustrated state. Thereby, for example, the locking roller 132 comes into contact with the immersion groove 131T on the right side of the imaginary line V1, and a force f (solid arrow) due to the rotation of the locking plate 131 is generated in the locking roller 132 as illustrated. . Here, it is assumed that the force f is the same as the force F generated by the clockwise rotation (the same applies to FIGS. 7B to 7D below). Of these forces f, the force for releasing the locking roller 132 is a force f1 obtained by vector-decomposing the force f into components in the tangential direction of the virtual line V2.

  Comparing the case where the foot plate 12 is rotated in the opening direction and the case where the foot plate 12 is rotated in the closing direction, both the force F1 and the force f1 for releasing the locking roller 132 are in the same direction (the locking roller 132 is moved to the imaginary line V2. The force F1 for releasing the locking roller 132 in the opening direction is larger than the force f1 for releasing the locking roller 132 in the closing direction, and is rotated in the closing direction. Requires a larger force than when rotating in the opening direction. As described above, in the present embodiment, by adopting the above-described configuration in FIG. 5A, the resistance force for turning in the closing direction can be made larger than the resistance force for turning in the opening direction of the foot plate 12. .

  FIG. 2B shows another configuration of the present embodiment. Also in this case, the locking roller 132 is urged by the locking roller spring 133 in the direction in which the foot plate 12 rotates in the opening direction and in the direction in which the locking roller 132 is immersed in the immersion groove 131T, and the immersion groove 131T. It is an example in the case of engaging with.

  In this state, when the foot plate 12 is rotated in the opening direction, a force F (solid arrow) due to the rotation of the locking plate 131 is generated in the locking roller 132 as shown in the figure, and the locking roller 132 is released. The force is a force F1.

  On the other hand, when the foot plate 12 is rotated in the closing direction, a force f (solid arrow) is generated in the locking roller 132 due to the rotation of the locking plate 131 as shown in the figure, and the force for releasing the locking roller 132 is , Force f1.

  Also in this case, both the force F1 and the force f1 for releasing the locking roller 132 are in the same direction (the direction in which the locking roller 132 is rotated counterclockwise on the imaginary line V2), but are related to the opening direction. The force F1 for separating the stop roller 132 is larger than the force f1 for separating the locking roller 132 in the closing direction. That is, when rotating in the closing direction, a larger force is required than when rotating in the opening direction. Therefore, the resistance of rotation in the closing direction is greater than the resistance force of the foot plate 12 in the opening direction. The power can be increased.

  FIG. 3C shows a configuration of a comparative example with the present embodiment. Also in this case, the locking roller 132 is urged by the locking roller spring 133 in the direction in which the foot plate 12 rotates in the opening direction and in the direction in which the locking roller 132 is immersed in the immersion groove 131T, and the immersion groove 131T. This is an example of the case where it is difficult to remove the locking roller 132.

  In this state, when the foot plate 12 is rotated in the opening direction, it is the same as FIGS. 9A and 9B, and the force F (solid arrow) due to the rotation of the locking plate 131 as shown in FIG. A force F1 that causes the stop roller 132 to be released is generated.

  On the other hand, when the foot plate 12 is rotated in the closing direction, a force f (solid arrow) due to the rotation of the locking plate 131 and a force f1 for releasing the locking roller 132 are generated in the locking roller 132. Is the direction opposite to the direction of the force F1 (clockwise direction). That is, when the foot plate 12 is rotated in the closing direction, the locking roller 132 rotates in the clockwise direction, and therefore the locking roller 132 cannot be detached from the immersion groove 131T (very difficult). Become).

  FIG. 4D shows a configuration of a comparative example with the present embodiment. In this case, the locking roller 132 is urged by the locking roller spring 133 in the direction in which the foot plate 12 rotates in the closing direction and in the direction in which the locking roller 132 is immersed in the immersion groove 131T, and the immersion groove 131T. It is an example which shows the case where it is engaged with.

  In this state, when the foot plate 12 is rotated in the opening direction, a force F (solid arrow) due to the rotation of the locking plate 131 is generated in the locking roller 132 as shown in the figure, and the locking roller 132 is released. A force F1 is generated.

  On the other hand, when the foot plate 12 is rotated in the closing direction, a force f (solid arrow) is generated in the locking roller 132 due to the rotation of the locking plate 131 as shown in the figure, and a force f1 that causes the locking roller 132 to be released. Occurs.

  Comparing the case where the foot plate 12 is rotated in the opening direction and the case where the foot plate 12 is rotated in the closing direction, both the force F1 and the force f1 for releasing the locking roller 132 are in the same direction (the locking roller 132 is moved to the imaginary line V2. In this case, the force F1 for releasing the locking roller 132 in the opening direction is smaller than the force f1 for releasing the locking roller 132 in the closing direction. That is, in this configuration, when rotating in the opening direction, a larger force is required than when rotating in the closing direction, and the resistance force of the foot plate 12 in the closing direction is rotated in the opening direction. It will be greater than the resistance.

  Thus, in order to make the resistance force of the rotation in the closing direction larger than the resistance force of the foot plate 12 in the opening direction, the configuration of the positioning mechanism 13 is shown in FIGS. It is necessary to make such a positional relationship and urging force. Specifically, in the positioning mechanism 13, the locking roller 132 is moved by the locking roller spring 133 and the foot plate 12 is opened in the opening direction so that the foot plate 12 can be rotated in both the opening direction and the closing direction. , And the engaging roller 132 is urged in a direction to be immersed in the immersion groove 131T and engaged with the immersion groove 131T. The positioning mechanism 13 uses the imaginary line V3 as a reference, and the force F1 for releasing the locking roller 132 in the opening direction and the force f1 for releasing the locking roller 132 in the closing direction are both clockwise on the imaginary line V3. In the case of the direction, the foot plate 12 can be rotated in both the opening direction and the closing direction.

  As described above, the foot support device 10 according to the present embodiment can be easily opened by the operation of the assistant or the user of the wheelchair by stepping on the footrest plate 23 and the footplate 12 with his / her foot. Hygiene can be maintained. In addition, since it is not necessary for the assistant to bend down, the burden on the assistant can be reduced. Further, since it can be stopped at any intermediate position, the foot plate 12 does not move when the foot plate 23 is switched to the foot plate 12, so that it can be operated safely.

  In addition, when the foot plate 12 is opened to the use position and further depressed to the movement restriction position (that is, in the normal use state where the foot plate 12 is fully opened and the foot load is applied), the positioning mechanism 13 is always unpositioned. Therefore, the foot plate 12 can be instantaneously returned to the unused position without being operated by a caregiver or user by simply dropping the foot from the foot plate 12, and the foot can be released. For this reason, when getting on and off the wheelchair, it is possible to prevent the foot and clothes from being caught on the foot plate 12 which is left open, and the safety at the time of getting on and off can be improved.

  Even in the intermediate position, it can be moved in the closing direction with a foot or the like. When a ratchet mechanism or the like is provided, the movement of the foot plate in one direction (for example, the closing direction) is restricted, and there is a risk that the foot plate may be caught or scooped when getting on and off. Since it is possible to turn in the closing direction by applying a load larger than the load in the opening direction, the safety at the time of getting on and off can also be improved. Further, since the rotation in the closing direction requires a larger load than the rotation in the opening direction, it is possible to avoid inadvertent rotation in the closing direction.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when positioning by the positioning mechanism 13 is cancelled | released and it returns to an unused position, it is the structure which an operation sound (contact sound) produces. As a result, the assistant can easily recognize that the user's foot has fallen from the foot plate 12, and the wheelchair can be stopped immediately, so that the dropped legs and clothes are caught in the wheelchair. Accidents can be avoided.

  Further, since the positioning mechanism 13 and the torsion spring 14 can be accommodated in the case body 20, an accident caused by direct contact with an assistant or a user can be avoided.

  In addition, since the foot support device 10 is configured to be independent of the wheelchair W and attachable to the fixed shaft 50, the foot support device 10 can be easily replaced with an existing foot plate (footrest, foot support) and can be easily attached. Become.

  The foot support device 10 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the shape of the groove member and the immersion member is not limited to the above example. The immersion member 132 has a curved surface at least in contact with the immersion groove 131T formed of a curved surface, and can be sequentially immersed in the immersion groove 131T by moving in the circumferential direction at the peripheral edge of the locking plate 131. It may be a columnar member, and may be a column member that does not rotate, a semi-column member, or the like. Further, the immersion groove 131T may be configured as a flat surface. In this case, the immersion member 132 may be a columnar member (triangular prism, quadrangular prism, etc.) whose contact surface with the immersion groove 131T is planar. Moreover, the immersion member 132 should just be able to immerse sequentially in a groove member, and the positioning mechanism should just urge | bias this so that an immersion member can be immersed in a groove member. For example, in FIG. 7, the locking roller 132 may be urged from the direction of the imaginary line V <b> 1, and in that case, instead of the curved immersion groove 131 </ b> T, an inverted triangular immersion groove is formed. Alternatively, for example, a triangular prism shaped locking portion may be used. In this case, the inverted triangular prism-shaped immersion groove has a locking portion when the locking plate 131 is counterclockwise, rather than an inclination angle of the inclined surface with which the locking portion contacts when the locking plate 131 is clockwise. By increasing the inclination angle of the inclined surface in contact with (suddenly), the resistance of rotation in the closing direction can be made larger than the rotation in the opening direction of the foot plate 12.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the second resistance force is larger than the first resistance force has been described as an example. However, the first resistance force and the second resistance force may be equal.

  In addition, the positioning mechanism 13 is not limited to the above example, and may use sliding friction, may be configured to operate electrically, and employs a clutch (such as a one-way clutch). There may be.

  The foot support device 10 of the present invention has industrial applicability in the field of manufacturing and selling wheelchairs and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Foot support apparatus 11 Fixing part 12 Foot plate 13 Positioning mechanism 14 Torsion spring 20 Case body 21 Rotating shaft 23 Foot plate 50 Fixed shaft 131 Locking plate 131T Immersion groove 132 Locking roller 133 Locking roller spring 134 Locking roller Holding part 135 Holding shaft 136 Locking claw 137 Lock release plate 137A First notch part 137B Second notch part 137C Third notch part 137D Guide hole

Claims (4)

A fixed part fixed to the front lower part of the wheelchair body;
A first direction toward the use position where the user's foot is placed by lying down from an unused position that has been vertically raised with respect to the fixed portion, and a second direction from the use position toward the unused position And a foot plate that is pivotally mounted on the
The foot plate can be stopped at the use position, an intermediate position between the use position and the unused position, and the unused position, and resists rotation of the foot plate in the first direction. A positioning mechanism that generates a first resistance force and a second resistance force that resists rotation of the foot plate in the second direction; and
The second resistance force of the positioning mechanism is equal to or greater than the first resistance force,
Foot support device. The positioning mechanism is
A groove member in which an immersion groove is formed along a direction in which the foot plate rotates;
An immersion member that is immersed in the immersion groove and stops the foot plate at any of the unused position, the intermediate position, or the used position;
An immersing member urging means for urging the immersing member in a direction in which the foot plate rotates in the first direction and a direction in which the immersing member immerses;
The foot support device according to claim 1. The groove member is a disk-like body in which a plurality of the immersion grooves are arranged at least at a part of a peripheral portion, and the immersion member has a curved surface at least in contact with the immersion groove. It is a columnar member that can be sequentially immersed in the immersion groove by moving in the circumferential direction,
The foot support device according to claim 2. Foot plate biasing means for biasing the foot plate toward the unused position;
A retraction mechanism that retreats the retraction member to a position retreated from the retraction groove, triggered by the foot plate rotating in the first direction beyond the use position;
The foot plate urging means moves the foot plate to the unused position when the immersing member is evacuated from the immersing groove by the evacuation mechanism.
The foot support device according to claim 2 or claim 3.

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