JP2018079257A - Walking aid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a walking aid that sufficiently secures safety when a user gets on or off the walking aid.SOLUTION: A walking aid 1 includes: casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, 10RR; frames 11L, 11R, 12L, 12R coupled to the casters to support the casters; and a saddle 31 on which a user sits. A lock system constantly urges the casters into a lock state but a locking plate 40 swings forward when a user sits on the saddle and a load acts thereon, and all the casters are unlocked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a walking machine for assisting or supporting a user's walking. In particular, the present invention relates to a walker equipped with a lock system for ensuring the safety of the user.

  Conventionally, various types of walking machines have been devised for assisting or supporting walking training for rehabilitation of patients with obstacles in walking and elderly people who have weak muscles of the legs and hips.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a walking machine including an upper limb support frame that is provided with wheels on a lower frame and is bent largely forward from a connecting portion that is connected to an upper end of the lower frame. According to this walker, the user can hold the grip formed at the tip of the upper limb support frame with his left and right hands and move the device and himself together without pushing the upper limb support frame with both hands. .
Moreover, in order to further reduce the burden on the lower limbs, a walking assist device that supports a user's weight with a seat is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Some conventional pedestrians have a brake mechanism for slowing down and stopping during travel, but to prevent the walker from running unexpectedly and falling when the user gets on and off. Furthermore, it is preferable to have a locking function like a parking brake. For example, Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose a walking machine that includes a caster with a lock function and that is unlocked by a user operating a release lever.

JP2013-123577A JP 2013-240477 A JP 2000-000278 A JP 2014-120538 A

  In the conventional walking machine described above, a certain degree of safety can be ensured when the user gets on and off by locking the casters. However, since the user who has moved cannot walk without operating the release lever to release the lock, there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated. Also, if the user forgets to lock when getting off the walker, the walker will run unintentionally and the risk of falling cannot be completely eliminated, and a safer mechanism has been demanded.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and can provide a walking machine that can sufficiently ensure safety when the user gets on and off, and has improved convenience for the user, or An object of the present invention is to provide a lock system that can be suitably used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a walking machine including a plurality of casters, a frame for connecting and supporting the casters, and a seating portion on which a user sits, and the casters are always in a locked state. A lock means for biasing and a lock release means for releasing the lock of the caster when a load is applied to the seating portion are provided.

  In the walking machine, the seating part is supported on a plate that swings around an axis with respect to the frame, and the plate is always urged rearward around the axis, and the seating part It is preferable that when the load is applied, the plate swings forward about the shaft to unlock the caster.

  The walker has a structure in which the seating portion integrally has a backrest portion, and the caster is locked by the plate swinging back about the shaft in conjunction with the backrest portion falling backward. Preferably there is.

  In the walking machine, it is preferable that a wire for releasing the lock of the caster by applying a tension is connected to a front end portion of the plate.

  In the walking machine, a wire that unlocks the caster by applying tension may be in contact with a lower part of the front end of the plate.

  In the walker, it is preferable that the locking means simultaneously locks the wheel rotation shaft of the caster and the turning shaft that changes the direction of the wheel.

  In the walker, it is preferable that the unlocking means simultaneously unlocks the wheel rotation shaft of the caster and the turning shaft that changes the direction of the wheel.

  According to the walking machine of the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently ensure safety when the user gets on and off. In addition, since a special operation for unlocking the caster is not required, the convenience for the user can be improved.

It is a perspective view of the walking machine by one Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the state of use of the walking machine of FIG. It is a top view of a locking plate. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a lock system. It is a side view which further shows the state of use of the walking machine of FIG. It is a figure for further explaining operation of a lock system.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a walking machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external structure of a walking machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state of use of the walking machine 1. The walking machine 1 shown in these drawings is a device for assisting or supporting walking of a user who is difficult to walk mainly due to a decrease in muscle strength of the lower limbs. The walking machine 1 includes four casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR, leg frames 11L, 11R, 12L, and 12R that connect and support the casters, and a saddle 31 that is a seating portion on which a user sits. ing. According to such a walking machine 1, the user can walk naturally with his / her feet while sitting on the saddle 31 without difficulty. In addition, the walking machine 1 may be integrally provided with a backrest portion 32 connected after the saddle 31 via, for example, a back column 33.

  The walking machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a lock system that locks the casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR when the walking machine stops to ensure the safety of the user when getting on and off. The lock system of the walking machine 1 is configured such that the lock is released in conjunction with the rocking operation of the saddle 31. Therefore, a special unlocking operation using a conventional lever or the like is not required, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the frame of the walking machine 1 includes four leg frames 11L, 11R, 12L, and 12R, and the upper end portions of the leg frames that stand vertically are gathered and connected. It is fixed to the plate 20. The leg frame 11L that extends to the left on the front side of the walking machine 1 is lowered from the connecting plate 20, bent toward the left front at a predetermined position, and further bent downward at the front end. A caster 10FL is provided at the tip of the leg frame 11L. The leg frame 11R extending forward to the right has a left-right symmetric shape with respect to the left leg frame 11L described above, and is similarly provided with a caster 10FR at the front end portion of the frame.

  The leg frame 12L extending to the left on the rear side of the walking machine 1 is lowered from the connecting plate 20, bent to the left rear halfway, and bent downward at the rear end. A caster 10RL is provided at the tip of the leg frame 12L. The leg frame 12R extending to the right rear is also symmetrical with the leg frame 12L with the walker 1 as a center, and a caster 10RR is provided at the tip of the frame.

  Further, two handle bars 15L and 15R are fixed to the connecting plate 20 in a manner extending in a curved manner toward the front side. Although not shown, a handle bar extending in the left-right direction may be formed in an annular shape.

  The leg frames 11L, 11R, 12L, 12R and the handle bars 15L, 15R are each formed by bending a tubular metal member.

  Each of the casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR includes a caster unit having a wheel that rotates around a horizontal axis (rotation axis) and a vertical axis (swivel axis) that enables the wheel to turn. The wheel of the caster unit is steered so as to always face the direction of travel of the walking machine 1 due to the caster rail effect because the vertical axis is slightly shifted from the ground contact point. Thereby, the straight running stability of the walking machine 1 is obtained, and a smooth direction change is possible.

  The caster units constituting the casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR include a lock mechanism that can automatically lock the wheel at all times. The lock mechanism includes a spring that constantly biases the rotating shaft and the pivot shaft of the wheel so that they are simultaneously locked. By applying a traction force from the outside, for example, via a wire against the urging force of the spring, the locked state of the rotating shaft and the turning shaft of the wheel is released.

  As a caster provided with such an automatic lock mechanism capable of performing a lock release operation using a wire, a unit provided by TENTE of Germany can be employed.

  The lock system provided in the walking machine 1 includes a lock unit that constantly urges the casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR including the automatic lock mechanism as described above toward the locked state, and a user sitting on the saddle 31. Unlocking means for unlocking the caster when a load is applied.

  An example of a more specific configuration of the lock system will be described. Here, FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the locking plate 40 for fixing the leg column 34 of the saddle 31. The locking plate 40 is swingably attached to the rear leg frames 12L and 12R. The locking plate 40 is provided with leg strut receiving portions 45 for fixing and attaching the leg struts 34 of the saddle 31 and brackets 43L and 43R rising from both ends of the plate.

  Wires 51L and 51R for releasing the locks of the rear casters 10RL and 10RR are connected to the upper part of the front end of the locking plate 40. The lengths and tensions of the wires 51L and 51R can be appropriately initialized by the adjustment fasteners 53L and 53R that fasten the tips of the wires 51L and 51R to the locking plate 40.

  Further, the wires 52L and 52R for unlocking the front casters 10FL and 10FR are in contact with the lower front end of the locking plate 40 and are connected to the lower rear end of the plate. The initial lengths and tensions of the wires 52L and 52R can be appropriately adjusted by the adjustment fasteners 54L and 54R that fasten the tips of the wires 52L and 52R.

  In addition to these, the locking plate 40 may be provided with an auxiliary wheel 46 via an auxiliary leg frame 47 extending from the rear part thereof.

  On the other hand, plate-like frame brackets 16L and 16R are provided on the leg frames 12L and 12R of the walking machine 1 so as to hang from the frame. The brackets 43L and 43R of the locking plate 40 are fitted between the left and right frame brackets 16L and 16R. A shaft pin 41L is provided through each shaft hole of the left frame bracket 16L and the bracket 43L. Similarly, a shaft pin 41R is provided through each shaft hole of the right frame bracket 16R and the bracket 43R. It is done. Accordingly, the locking plate 40 can swing around the shaft pins 41L and 41R with respect to the rear leg frames 12L and 12R.

  In addition, the leg support | pillar receiving part 45 for attaching the leg support | pillar 34 of the saddle 31 is located ahead of the shaft pins 41L and 41R.

  A restriction pin 42L is implanted in the bracket 43L of the locking plate 40 at a position a predetermined distance forward when viewed from the shaft pin 41L. Similarly, a restriction pin 42R is also implanted in the right bracket 43R at a position a predetermined distance from the shaft pin 41R. The restricting pins 42L and 42R are provided through the arc-shaped elongated holes of the frame brackets 16L and 16R.

  By restricting the movement of the restricting pins 42L and 42R in the arc-shaped elongated hole, the saddle 31 is substantially horizontal (the leg support 34 is attached to the leg post 34) from the first position (initial position) inclined slightly rearward together with the backrest portion 32. Rocking is restricted in the range up to the second position (walking position) of (substantially vertical). Further, the coil springs 44L and 44R in an extended state are installed between the front end portion of the locking plate 40 and the front portions of the frame brackets 16L and 16R. That is, the elastic contraction force generated in the coil springs 44L and 44R is always urged toward the first position where the saddle 31 and the backrest 32 are tilted rearward by pulling up the front end portion of the locking plate 40.

  As described above, in the walking machine 1 of the present embodiment, the locking plate 40 that swings relative to the leg frames 12L and 12R is constantly urged rearward by the coil springs 44L and 44R. A saddle 31 is supported.

  In the first position where the user does not sit on the saddle 31 and the locking plate 40 tilts backward, no tension is generated in the wires 51L, 51R, 52L, 52R, and all casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, 10RR The locked state is maintained. This locking means simultaneously locks the wheel rotation shaft and the turning shaft of the casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR. Therefore, for example, when the user moves to the walking machine 1, it is possible to prevent a dangerous situation such that the walking machine 1 starts to move unexpectedly or the user falls.

  On the other hand, when the user sits on the saddle 31, the unlocking means operates to unlock all casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, 10RR. The leg support 34 of the saddle 31 is supported in front of the shaft pins 41L and 41R that are the swinging shafts of the locking plate 40. Therefore, when the user is seated on the saddle 31 of the walker 1, the weight W of the user is applied to the front portion of the locking plate 40 via the leg support 34, and as a result, as shown in FIG. The locking plate 40 is in the second position where it is swung forward.

  In this second position, the locking plate 40 pulls the ends of the wires 51L and 51R, thereby generating a tension T1 on the wires 51L and 51R, so that the rear casters 10RL and 10RR are unlocked. Further, the locking plate 40 pushes down the side portions of the wires 52L and 52R, thereby generating a tension T2 on the wires 52L and 52R, so that the front casters 10FL and 10FR are unlocked.

  The lock release means simultaneously unlocks the wheel rotation shafts and the turning shafts of all casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, 10RR. The user can release the lock only by sitting on the saddle 31 and can walk smoothly. In particular, since a release operation such as a lever is not required, even a user who has a light obstacle such as a foot or a hand can easily use the walking machine 1 without assistance.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the lock system of the present embodiment locks all casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR simply by reclining the backrest portion 32 while the user is seated on the saddle 31. Works as well. That is, in conjunction with the backrest 32 falling backward, the locking plate 40 swings backward and returns to the first position as shown in FIG. Therefore, the tension of the wires 51L, 51R, 52L, and 52R is released, and as a result, all 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR are locked. Thereby, even if the user does not get off the walking machine 1, the user can safely stop the walking machine 1 while sitting on the saddle 31, and can take a break.

  The walking machine according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the above-described lock system can be applied to a walking assist device or a walking assist device in which the frame structure is changed, the number of casters is increased or decreased, and the saddle is changed to, for example, a seat. Further, the lock system and the brake may be operated in conjunction with each other. In addition to a walker, for example, a device in which a lock system is applied to another device such as a wheelchair is also included in the scope of the present invention.

1 Walker 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, 10RR Caster 11L, 11R, 12L, 12R Leg frame 15L, 15R Handlebar 16L, 16R Frame bracket 20 Connecting plate 31 Seating part (saddle)
32 Backrest 33 Back strut 34 Leg strut 40 Locking plate 41L, 41R Shaft pin 42L, 42R Restriction pin 43L, 43R Bracket 44L, 44R Coil spring 45 Leg strut receiving portion 46 Auxiliary wheel 47 Auxiliary leg frame 51L, 51R, 52L, 52R Wire 53L, 53R, 54L, 54R Adjustment fastener USR User

Claims (7)

A walking machine comprising a plurality of casters, a frame for connecting and supporting the casters, and a seating portion on which a user is seated,
A walking machine comprising: a lock unit that constantly urges the caster in a locked state; and a lock release unit that unlocks the caster when a load is applied to the seating portion.   The seating portion is supported on a plate that swings about an axis with respect to the frame, and the plate is constantly urged rearward about the shaft, and a load is applied to the seating portion. The walker according to claim 1, wherein the caster is unlocked by the plate swinging forward about the axis when the caster is unlocked.   The seating portion has a backrest portion integrally, and the caster is locked by rocking the plate backward about the shaft in conjunction with the backrest portion falling backward. The walking machine according to 2.   The walker according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a wire for releasing the lock of the caster by applying a tension is connected to a front end portion of the plate.   The walker according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a wire that releases the lock of the caster by applying a tension is in contact with a lower front end of the plate.   The walker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking means simultaneously locks a wheel rotation shaft of the caster and a turning shaft that changes the direction of the wheel. The walker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the unlocking means simultaneously unlocks the wheel rotation shaft of the caster and the turning shaft that changes the direction of the wheel.

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