JP3245480U - wheelchair self-propelled device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair self-propelling device that can make a conventional wheelchair self-propelled by using simpler means and with simpler work. The present invention includes a traction means for towing a wheelchair 60 having one self-driven drive wheel 14 and a rudder mechanism that determines the direction of the drive wheel, and a connection means for connecting the wheelchair and the traction means. It includes a certain traction device 10 and a traction-side connection part 30 and a wheelchair-side connection tool 50 as connection means. The traction means is characterized in that it tows the wheelchair to make the wheelchair self-propelled, and the connection means is capable of bringing the front wheels 68 of the wheelchair into a non-ground state while the traction means and the wheelchair are connected. The means has independent legs 40 for standing on its own in a state separated from the wheelchair, and the independent legs are in a non-grounded state when the traction means and the wheelchair are connected. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a wheelchair self-propelling device for making a wheelchair self-propelled.

Conventionally, methods have been proposed for making wheelchairs self-propelled. For example, there is a small electric vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1. A small electric vehicle moves a wheelchair connected by a connecting member by self-propulsion using a battery, an in-wheel motor, etc., and has an electric mechanism that enables self-propulsion independently, a connecting member to connect the wheelchair, It is equipped with The small electric vehicle is equipped with a loading member for loading the wheelchair as a connecting member, and the loading member is provided with a concave portion on which the component of the wheelchair is placed, and the component of the wheelchair is placed in the concave portion of the receiving member. When placed on the wheelchair, the rear wheels of the wheelchair separate from the running surface.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-140916

However, in the conventional small electric vehicle, it is necessary to load the wheelchair onto the small electric vehicle, and it takes effort to make the conventional wheelchair self-propelled.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair self-propelling device that can make a conventional wheelchair self-propelled by using simpler means and with easier work.

The self-propelled wheelchair device according to claim 1 includes a traction means for towing a wheelchair, which has one self-driven drive wheel and a rudder mechanism that determines the direction of the drive wheel, and a connection means for connecting the wheelchair and the traction means. The wheelchair is characterized in that the traction means pulls the wheelchair to make the wheelchair self-propelled.

A self-propelled wheelchair device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the connecting means brings the front wheels of the wheelchair into a non-ground state in a state where the traction means and the wheelchair are connected.

The self-propelled wheelchair device according to claim 3 has independent legs for standing on its own when the traction means is separated from the wheelchair, and the independent legs are in a non-grounded state when the traction means and the wheelchair are connected. It is characterized by

The self-propelled wheelchair device according to claim 4 is characterized in that the rudder mechanism of the traction means includes a fork that rotatably holds the drive wheel and a handle that moves the fork in the left-right direction.

A self-propelled wheelchair device according to a fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the handle is provided with a control means for controlling braking of the drive wheels.

According to the invention of the present application, a conventional wheelchair can be made self-propelled by simpler means and with simpler work.

It is an explanatory view showing how to use the wheelchair self-propelled device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a plan view of FIG. 1; It is an explanatory view showing the situation before connection of the wheelchair self-propelled device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a perspective view of FIG. 3;

The self-propelled wheelchair device according to the present invention is for making a wheelchair self-propelled. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of using a self-propelled wheelchair device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the plan view of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the wheelchair self-propelled device before connection. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a perspective view of FIG. 3.

The basic configuration of the self-propelled wheelchair device 1 is a traction means for towing a wheelchair 60 that has one self-driven drive wheel 14 and a rudder mechanism that determines the direction of the drive wheel 14, and a traction means that connects the wheelchair 60 and the traction means. It consists of connecting means. Specifically, it is composed of a traction device 10 as a traction means, a traction-side connecting portion 30 and a wheelchair-side connector 50 as means for connecting the wheelchair 60 and the traction device 10, and the like.

The connecting means may have any structure as long as it can connect the traction means and the wheelchair 60. For example, as shown in the figure, a part of the connecting means may be provided in a part of the traction means, and a part of the connecting means may be provided on the wheelchair 60 side. The connecting means may be partially provided, the connecting means may be provided on the traction means side or the wheelchair 60 side, or the connecting means may be provided separately from the traction means and the wheelchair 60. Further, as shown in the figure, the wheelchair-side connector 50 itself, which is a connecting means provided on the wheelchair 60 side, is fixed to the wheelchair 60 when connected, but is separable from the wheelchair 60 when not connected. It is also possible to have a structure in which it can be freely attached and detached from 60. In this way, the connecting means is not limited by its form as long as it has a structure that allows the traction means and the wheelchair 60 to be connected.

The traction device 10, which is a traction means, is capable of towing the wheelchair 60 by self-driving one drive wheel 14, and the drive wheel 14 is powered by, for example, a battery (not shown) housed in a cover 26. It is driven by a motor. Note that the method of driving the drive wheels 14 is not limited to a motor, and may also be an engine, and is not limited by the method. Furthermore, the direction of rotation of the drive wheels 14 is not limited to the direction in which the wheelchair 60 moves forward, but may also rotate in a backward direction.

The direction of the drive wheels 14 can be determined arbitrarily by a rudder mechanism, and by determining the direction of the drive wheels 14, the direction of movement of the wheelchair 60 can be determined. Although the mechanism of the rudder mechanism is not limited, for example, there is a method of moving a fork 16 like a motorcycle or bicycle with a handle 20 as shown in the figure.

The steering mechanism of the drive wheel 14 shown in the figure is provided in a T-shape with respect to the handle arm 12 at the upper end of a fork 16 that rotatably holds the drive wheel 14 and a rod-shaped handle arm 12 that extends upward from the fork 16. and a rod-shaped handle 20 for moving the fork 16 in the left and right direction.

Further, the handle 20 is provided with a control means for controlling braking of the drive wheels 14. As shown in the figure, the braking means includes, for example, a handle grip 22 and a brake lever 24 provided at both ends of the handle 20. For example, by rotating the handle grip 22, the rotational speed of the drive wheels 14, that is, the wheelchair 60, can be changed by rotating the handle grip 22. The self-propelled speed of the vehicle can be determined arbitrarily. By operating a brake mechanism (not shown) provided on the drive wheel 14 with the brake lever 24, it is possible to apply a brake to the drive wheel 14.

As described above, the traction device 10 is provided with the traction-side connection portion 30 that is part of the connection means. Specifically, a traction device connecting plate 28 is provided that projects rearward from the left and right surfaces of the lower portion of the cover 26. From above and below the traction device connecting plate 28, traction side connecting portion stays 34 and 36 whose front ends are pivotally supported by the two traction device connecting plates 28 extend rearward. Furthermore, two traction-side connection portion plates 32 are provided to face each other and pivotally support the rear end portions of each of the traction-side connection portion stays 34 and 36.

A rod-shaped independent leg arm 42a is provided at the lower part of the towing side coupling plate 32 and extends downward from the towing side coupling plate 32, and the lower end of the independent leg arm 42a has a T-shaped shape relative to the independent leg arm 42a. A self-supporting leg bar 42b is provided, and the self-supporting leg arm 42a and the self-supporting leg bar 42b constitute a self-supporting leg 40 for the traction means to stand on its own. Note that the independent legs 40 may be provided on the traction means side or on the connection means side, and are not limited by their form.

A rod-shaped connection handle 44 is pivotally supported on the upper part of the towing side connection plate 32 so as to be able to swing freely. At the upper end of the connection handle 44, there is provided a connection handle button 46 that can be pressed to release a lock hook 46a provided below the connection handle 44 when the connection handle 44 is in an upright position.

Note that a towing side connecting portion cylinder 38 is provided so as to span from the rear end of the towing side connecting portion stay 34 toward the vicinity of the center of the towing side connecting portion stay 36.

The connecting means on the wheelchair 60 side is formed by the wheelchair side connecting tool 50. The wheelchair-side connector 50 includes a wheelchair-side connector fixture 52, a wheelchair-side connector support column 54, and a wheelchair-side connector rod 56.

A rod-shaped wheelchair-side connector support column 54 is fixed to the chassis 62 by a wheelchair-side connector fixing device 52 in a state where it spans from side to side over the foot portion of the occupant of the chassis 62 of the wheelchair 60. A rod-shaped wheelchair-side connecting rod 56 is provided at the center of the wheelchair-side connector support column 54 so as to protrude toward the front. The wheelchair-side connecting rod 56 shown in the figure has a pointed front end, and a lock pin hole 56a is bored in the upper surface near the front.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the towing device 10 is in an upright position with the connecting handle 44 of the towing-side connecting portion 30 being folded down and the independent legs 40 touching the ground approximately upright. In this case, the driving wheels 14 and the independent legs 40 are in contact with the ground and are independent from the wheelchair 60.

Next, a method of using the self-propelled wheelchair device 1 configured as described above will be explained. First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a state in which the traction device 10 and the wheelchair 60 are not connected will be described.

With the passenger sitting on the seat 64 of the wheelchair 60, the wheelchair 60 is moved toward the traction device 10. Then, the wheelchair-side connecting rod 56 of the wheelchair-side connecting device 50 is inserted between the two traction-side connecting portion plates 32 of the traction-side connecting portion 30. Then, the passenger pulls up the connecting handle 44. Then, the lock pin 48 of the traction-side connecting portion 30 enters the lock pin hole 56a of the wheelchair-side connecting rod 56, and the traction device 10 and the wheelchair 60 are brought into a connected state. At this time, the lock hook 46a of the connection handle 44 is engaged with a pin in the towing side connection plate 32 (not shown), and the connection handle 44 is locked.

Furthermore, when the connecting handle 44 is pulled up, the positional relationship between the towing side connecting portion stays 34 and 36 changes due to the action of the towing side connecting portion cylinder 38, etc., the towing side connecting portion plate 32 slides, and the independent leg 40 is moved. Becomes ungrounded. Further, the positional relationship between the traction-side connecting portion stays 34 and 36 changes, and the traction-side connecting portion plate 32 slides, thereby lifting the wheelchair-side connecting rod 56 and lifting the front wheels 68 of the wheelchair 60. As a result, the independent legs 40 and the front wheels 68 of the wheelchair 60 are brought into a non-grounded state, and the wheelchair 60 becomes able to run in a tricycle-like manner using the drive wheels 14 of the traction device 10 and the two rear wheels 66.

With the traction device 10 connected to the wheelchair 60, when the occupant operates the braking means, the wheelchair 60 moves by itself.

In addition, when separating the traction device 10 from the wheelchair 60, by pushing down the connection handle 44 while pressing the connection handle button 46, the position of the traction side connection portion stays 34, 36 returns to the original position, and the traction side connection portion plate 32 slides in the opposite direction, and the free-standing legs 40 and the front wheels 68 of the wheelchair 60 are in contact with the ground. At the same time, the lock pin 48 comes out of the lock pin hole 56a of the wheelchair-side connecting rod 56, allowing the wheelchair 60 to be separated from the traction device 10.

According to the wheelchair self-propelling device 1 having the above configuration and method of use, the conventional wheelchair 60 can be made self-propelled by simpler means and with simpler work.

The present invention is capable of various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the embodiments described above are for explaining the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the meaning of devices equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of this device.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a self-propelled wheelchair device that can make a conventional wheelchair self-propelled with simpler means and easier work.

1... Wheelchair self-propelled device 10... Traction device 12... Handle arm 14... Drive wheel 16... Fork 20... Handle 22... Handle grip 24... Brake lever 26... Cover 28... Traction device connection plate 30... Traction side connection part 32... Traction side connection part plate 34... Traction side connection part Stay 36... Towing side connection part Stay 38... Towing side connection part cylinder 40... Independent leg 42a... Independent leg arm 42b... Independent leg bar 44... Connection handle 46 ...Connection handle button 46a...Lock hook 48...Lock pin 50...Wheelchair side coupler 52...Wheelchair side coupler fixture 54...Wheelchair side coupler support 56...Wheelchair side connecting rod 56a...Lock pin hole 60...Wheelchair 62...Chassis 64...Seat portion 66...Rear wheel 68...Front wheel

Claims (5)

In a wheelchair self-propelling device for making a wheelchair self-propelled,
Traction means for towing the wheelchair having one self-driven drive wheel and a rudder mechanism for determining the direction of the drive wheel;
a connecting means for connecting the wheelchair and the traction means;
A self-propelled wheelchair device, wherein the traction means tows the wheelchair to make the wheelchair self-propelled. 2. The wheelchair self-propelled device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means brings the front wheels of the wheelchair into a non-ground state when the traction means and the wheelchair are connected. The traction means has independent legs for standing on its own in a state separated from the wheelchair;
3. The self-propelled wheelchair device according to claim 1, wherein the self-supporting legs are in a non-grounded state when the traction means and the wheelchair are connected. According to any one of claims 1 to 3, the rudder mechanism of the traction means includes a fork that rotatably holds the drive wheel and a handle that moves the fork in the left and right direction. self-propelled wheelchair device. 5. The wheelchair self-propelled device according to claim 4, wherein the handle includes a control means for controlling braking of the drive wheels.

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