JP3516044B2 - Cascading wheelchair - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cascade-connected wheelchair in which two wheelchairs are connected in a cascade and one person can freely operate the two wheelchairs.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, a tandem connection of cars, as seen in trailers and trains,
Due to its good directional controllability, a system is adopted in which the preceding vehicle is driven and the rear vehicle is towed. However, if the front vehicle is pushed by hand when the wheelchair is connected in tandem, the connection device will interfere with the caregiver and the caregiver will be sandwiched between the two wheelchairs, which may affect the patient in the rear vehicle. The problem is that the caregiver cannot see what is happening. Further, as the invention of the prior application, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-56750, “Method for transporting a wheelchair on which a patient rides on the road and a connector used in the method”
(Conventional method 1), Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-179646, "Connecting device for wheelchairs" (Conventional method 2), Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 77097 discloses "a device for connecting wheelchairs" (conventional method 3).

In the conventional method 1, a wheelchair on which a patient rides is
It is a method of towing by a wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle, and is not suitable for connecting two wheelchairs. The conventional method 2 is a method of connecting two wheelchairs side by side. Because the width is too wide, there are places where the width exceeds the width of doors, etc., and there is a place where it cannot enter, or it interferes with other passages in narrow passages. Prone. In the conventional method 3, since the front wheelchair and the rear wheelchair are connected by only one connecting rod that can be bent in the left, right, up, and down directions, the intention of operating the rear wheelchair is hard to be transmitted to the front wheelchair, and the straightness and direction control are difficult. There is. Further, since a beam that straddles the left and right frames of the wheelchair is required, it is difficult to flexibly cope with the dimensional disparity of commercially available wheelchairs, reduce weight, and simplify attachment / detachment.

In view of the present situation described above, the present invention provides a cascade connection wheelchair in which two wheelchairs are connected in a cascade so that one person can freely move the two wheelchairs in a desired direction.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems As a result of intensive research in view of the above, the present inventor has solved this problem by the following means. (1) A cascade connection wheelchair in which wheelchairs arranged at a predetermined distance in front and back are connected by two connection rods that intersect each other in a plane, and one end portion of one connection rod of the two connection rods that intersect. Is connected to the rear left end frame of the front wheelchair, the other end of the connecting rod is connected to the front right end frame of the rear wheelchair, and one end of the other connecting rod is connected to the rear right end frame of the front wheelchair. A cascade connection wheelchair characterized in that the other end of the rod is pivotally connected to the front left end frame of the rear wheelchair. (2) A cascade connection wheelchair in which wheelchairs arranged at a predetermined distance in the front and rear are connected by two connection rods that intersect each other in a plane, and one end of one connection rod of the two connection rods that intersect. To the rear left end frame of the front wheelchair, and the other end of the connecting rod to the front right end frame of the rear wheelchair through joint means swingable vertically and horizontally, and one end of the other connecting rod. The front part of the wheelchair is connected to the rear right end frame of the front wheelchair, and the other end of the connecting rod is connected to the front left end frame of the rear wheelchair via joint means swingable vertically and horizontally. Parallel connected wheelchair.

(3) A connecting rod / frame in which the wheelchair comprises connecting rod attaching means having joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rod, and frame attaching means for detachably attaching the connecting rod to the wheelchair frame. The cascade connection wheelchair according to (1) or (2), characterized in that the mounting units are attached to the frames at the front left and right ends and the rear left and right ends of the wheelchair. (4) Any one of the items (1) to (3), wherein the two connecting rods are formed by intersecting each other by changing the mounting height of one or both of the joint means. A cascade connection wheelchair according to item 1. (5) It is characterized in that the two connecting rods are bent or curved upward or downward from the vicinity of any one or both of the joint means to change their heights and intersect each other ( The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of 1) to (3). (6) One of the two connecting rods is provided with a long slit, and the other connecting rod is provided so as to penetrate through the slit and cross each other (1) to ( 3)
The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of items.

(7) Joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rods,
A pin for pivotally connecting the connecting rod protruding above the connecting rod attaching means at the tip of the connecting rod / frame attaching unit;
It is characterized in that it is formed by pivotally connecting a through hole having a diameter larger than the pin diameter, which is provided at the tip of the connecting rod.
The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of (6). (8) The joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rod is the connecting rod
A pin for pivotally connecting the connecting rod projecting upward from the connecting rod attaching means at the tip of the frame attaching unit and a universal joint having a through hole for fitting the pin at the tip of the connecting rod are pivotally attached. The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of (3) to (6), characterized in that the wheelchair is connected. (9) It is characterized in that the universal joint is constituted by a sphere having a through hole for fitting the pin to the tip of the connecting rod, and a casing having upper and lower ends surrounding the sphere opened. ) A column-connected wheelchair described in the above item.

(10) A tube in which the connecting rod / frame mounting unit is fitted to a beam projecting downward on one of the T-shaped beams at the lower front or rear of the wheelchair frame, and the lower part fixed to the lower part of the tube. A pin for pivotally connecting the connecting rod projecting to the side and a part of the upper part of the cylinder are formed into a U-shaped plate, and the other end of the T-shaped beam is sandwiched, and at the same time, the pin is arranged above the tip of the U-shaped plate. (3) to (9), characterized in that it has a pin that penetrates through the provided hole and that passes through the upper surface of the sandwiched beam.
The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of items. (11) A tube in which the connecting rod / frame mounting unit is fitted to one of the T-shaped beams at the lower front or rear of the wheelchair frame that protrudes in the horizontal direction, and an upper or lower portion fixed to the rear of the tube. Connecting rod attachment means having a pin for pivotally connecting the protruding connecting rod and a part of the front portion of the cylinder are formed into a U-shaped plate, and the other end of the T-shaped beam is clamped at the same time as U.
A pin passing through a hole provided in the upper end of the tip of the letter-shaped plate and passing through the front surface of the sandwiched beam, according to any one of (3) to (9). Cascaded wheelchairs listed.

(12) A cylinder in which the connecting rod / frame mounting unit is fitted to one of the T-shaped beams in the front or lower portion of the rear of the wheelchair frame that protrudes in the horizontal direction, and behind the cylinder. A pin for pivotally connecting a connecting rod that is fixed to the cylinder and protrudes upward or downward, and a part of the front of the cylinder is formed in a U-shaped plate, and the other of the T-shaped beams is sandwiched at the same time,
A pin passing through a hole provided in an upper end of a U-shaped plate and passing through a front surface of the sandwiched beam, (3) to (9). Cascaded wheelchair described in.

Furthermore, as another aspect of the present invention, a cascade-connected wheelchair having the following structure is proposed. (13) A member in which the connecting rod / frame mounting unit is provided at two upper and lower positions having a surface for restraining one of the T-shaped beams at the lower part of the front or rear of the wheelchair frame projecting downward from two directions. (35), and a member (33) having a surface surrounding the beam in two directions from the opposite direction to the member (33)
A hinge means that is swingably attached in the axial direction of the beam joining the members together, a tightening means that screws the members together, and a beam is attached to the tip of the member (33). An adjusting means for pressing the beam by adjusting a distance between the member (33) and the member (38) having a member (38) for pressing, and a connecting rod protruding below the member (34) are pivotally connected. The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of items (3) to (9), characterized in that the wheelchair has a pin.

(14) The connecting rod / frame mounting unit is arranged at two positions in front and rear of the wheelchair frame, the front or rear lower part of the T-shaped beam having a surface for restraining a horizontally protruding beam from two directions. Member (41, 44), a member (40) having a surface surrounding the beam in two directions from the opposite direction to the member, and swingable in the axial direction of the beam joining the members. Of the member (40) and the member (47) having a hinge means attached to the member, a tightening means for screwing the members together, and a member (47) screwed to the member (40) to press the beam at the tip. It is characterized by comprising an adjusting means for pressing the beam by adjusting the distance, and a pin for pivotally connecting a connecting rod fixed to the member (40) and protruding downward (or upward) (3). ) To (9), the cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of items. In the specification of the present invention,
"Two connecting rods that intersect in a plane" means that when two connecting rods vertically contact with each other at the intersecting portion and intersect with each other, or when they are not in contact with each other at an interval above and below, 2 when viewed from above. It also means that the bars of the book intersect.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention is a cascade connection wheelchair in which wheelchairs arranged at a predetermined distance in the front and rear are connected by two connection rods that intersect each other in a plane, and the two connection rods intersect each other. One end of one of the connecting rods is on the rear left end frame of the front wheelchair, and the other end of the connecting rod is on the front right end frame of the rear wheelchair (preferably, a joint means that can be swung vertically and horizontally). Via one end of the other connecting rod to the rear right end frame of the front wheelchair and the other end of the connecting rod to the front left end frame of the rear wheelchair (preferably swinging up, down, left and right, respectively). (Via movable joint means)
In a welfare medical field where there are many elderly people and patients for the number of caregivers, there are two wheelchairs connected in series, and one caregiver can sit on two wheelchairs in front and behind. While observing the state of the old man, push the rear wheelchair manually
It is a cascade-connected wheelchair that can simultaneously and easily control the running, stopping, and turning of the wheelchairs.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of two wheelchairs according to an embodiment of the present invention and a cascade connection wheelchair connected by two intersecting connecting rods, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a case where straight traveling (A), left turn (B), and right turn (C) are performed by the two wheelchairs of the embodiment and a cascade connection wheelchair connected by two intersecting connecting rods. A geometrical explanatory diagram for the good operability of the two wheelchairs of the embodiment and a straight connecting wheelchair connected by two intersecting connecting rods (a) and a case of turning left (b).
FIG. 4A shows two wheelchairs of the same embodiment and two wheelchairs that intersect with each other.
A geometrical explanatory view for good operability when turning right by a column-connected wheelchair connected with two connecting rods, FIG. 4 (b) shows two wheelchairs of the embodiment and two intersecting wheels. FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a geometrical explanation for the good operability in the case of making a right turn by a column-connected wheelchair connected by a connecting rod of FIG. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a cascade connection wheelchair connected to the rear right end frame of the front wheelchair, in which the joint height is changed so that the connecting rods intersect, and FIG. Of the rods, a perspective view of a cascade connection wheelchair in which the connection rod connected to the rear right end frame of the front wheelchair is bent downward to change the height so that the connection rods intersect, FIG. 6 is a view of the same embodiment. Of the two connecting rods that intersect, one connecting rod penetrates the other connecting rod to connect them. FIG. 7 (a) is a perspective view of a column-connected wheelchair with rods intersecting with each other. FIG. 7 (a) is a wheelchair frame in which the connecting rod attaching means having a pin for pivotally connecting the connecting rod and the connecting rod to the frame of the same embodiment is horizontal. FIG. 7 (b) is an explanatory view of a case in which a joint having a hole larger than the diameter of a pin that is attached and can be swung vertically and horizontally is inserted into the pin. FIG. Connecting rod attachment means with a pivoting pin is attached to a vertical wheelchair frame,
FIG. 8 (a) is an explanatory view when a joint having a hole having a diameter larger than the pin diameter capable of swinging to the left, right, up, and down is inserted into the pin, and FIG. FIG. 8 (b) is an explanatory view when the connecting rod attachment means having a pin is attached to a horizontal wheelchair frame and a universal joint that can be swung vertically and horizontally is inserted into the pin, FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a case where a connecting rod attaching means having a pin for pivotally connecting the attaching means and the connecting rod is attached to a vertical wheelchair frame, and a universal joint swingable up and down, right and left is inserted into the pin, and FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view when the detachable connecting rod / frame mounting unit of the embodiment, the joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rod and the connecting rod are attached to the beam protruding below the T-shaped beam of the wheelchair frame. A detachable connecting rod / frame mounting unit of the same embodiment. And the connecting rod for pivotally connecting the connecting rod and the connecting rod to the horizontally protruding beam of the T-shaped beam of the wheelchair frame, FIG. 11 is a detachable connecting rod of the same embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of another example in which the joint means for pivotally connecting the frame mounting unit and the connecting rod and the connecting rod are attached to the horizontally protruding beam of the T-shaped beam of the wheelchair frame, and FIG. Explanatory drawing when attaching a detachable connecting rod / frame mounting unit having means and adjusting means, a joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rod and the connecting rod to a beam protruding below the T-shaped beam of the wheelchair frame, Reference numeral 13 is a detachable connecting rod / frame mounting unit having the tightening means and adjusting means of the embodiment, and a joint means for connecting the connecting rod and the connecting rod to a horizontally protruding beam of the T-shaped beam of the wheelchair frame. Theory when installed It is a diagram.

In the figure, 1 is a front wheelchair, 2 and 5 are left end frames, 3 and 6 are right end frames, 4 is a rear wheelchair, 7 and 8 are connecting rods, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are joint means, 13, 14, 15, 16 are connecting rod mounting means, 17 is frame mounting means, 18 is a pin, 19 is a universal joint, 20
Is a hole, 21 is a beam, 22 is a cross member, 23 is a cylinder, and 24 is U.
A parallel plate, 25 is a pin, 26 is a retaining means, 27 is a connecting rod attaching means, 28 is a coupling means, 29 is a connecting rod, 30
Is a pin, 31 is a nut, 32 is a connecting rod / frame mounting unit, 33 and 40 are members, 34 is a surface, and 35, 41, 4
4 is a member, 36, 42, 45 are hinge means, 37, 43,
46 is a fastening means, 38 and 47 are members, and 39 and 48 are adjusting means.

FIG. 1 shows a column connecting wheelchair in which two wheelchairs 1 and 4 arranged in a column are connected by two connecting rods 7 and 8 that intersect each other in a plane. The left end frame 2 of the front wheelchair 1 and the right end frame 6 of the rear wheelchair 4 are connected to each other via joints 9 and 10 which can be swung vertically and horizontally, and the other connecting rod 8 is connected to the right end frame 3 of the front wheelchair 1. It is connected to the left end frame 5 of the rear wheelchair 4 via joints 11 and 12 which can swing vertically and horizontally. As a result, when the caregiver pushes the rear wheelchair 4, the front wheelchair 1 can also freely move forward, turn left, and turn right.

The operations of "straight ahead", "left turn" and "right turn" of the wheelchairs connected in series will be described with reference to FIG. <Straight ahead> (A) The wheelchairs connected in series go straight ahead by pushing the rear wheelchair 4 straight. At this time, when the front wheelchair 1 starts to bend to the left side, the rear wheelchair 4 turns slightly counterclockwise, and when the front wheelchair 1 starts to turn right side, the rear wheelchair 4 turns slightly clockwise. It is possible to easily keep going straight.

<Left turn> (B) By pushing the rear wheelchair 4 while turning it clockwise or by pushing it after turning it clockwise, the front wheelchair 1 turns counterclockwise, Two wheelchairs can be easily turned to the left. At this time, as the turning angle of the rear wheelchair 4 is smaller, the two wheelchairs turn left with a larger turning radius, and as the turning angle of the rear wheelchair 4 is larger, the two wheelchairs turn left with a smaller turning radius.

<Right turn> (C) Push the rear wheelchair 4 while turning it counterclockwise, or
Or by turning after turning counterclockwise,
By turning the front wheelchair 1 clockwise, the two wheelchairs can be easily turned to the right. At this time, as the turning angle of the rear wheelchair 4 is smaller, the two wheelchairs turn right with a larger turning radius, and as the turning angle of the rear wheelchair 4 is larger, the two wheelchairs turn right with a smaller turning radius.

The geometrical basis for the good operability according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 1. Definition: Defined on a two-dimensional plane viewed from directly above. w1; Frame width of rear wheelchair (constant) w2; Frame width of front wheelchair (constant) L; Length of connecting rod (constant) d; Distance between right connecting fulcrum of rear wheelchair and right connecting fulcrum of front wheelchair α1; A straight line connecting the two connecting rod fulcrums of the rear wheelchair and the angle α2 formed by the connecting rod attached to the left connecting fulcrum of the rear wheelchair; a straight line connecting the two connecting rod fulcrums of the rear wheelchair and a right connecting fulcrum of the rear wheelchair Angle α3 of the connecting rod attached; a straight line connecting the right connecting fulcrum of the rear wheelchair and the right connecting fulcrum of the front wheelchair, and the angle β1 of the connecting rod attached to the right connecting fulcrum of the rear wheelchair; two of the front wheelchairs Angle β2 formed by a straight line connecting the connecting rod fulcrums and a connecting rod attached to the left connecting fulcrum of the front wheelchair; a straight line connecting two connecting rod fulcrums of the front wheelchair and a connecting rod attached to the right connecting fulcrum of the front wheelchair of Angle β3; angle formed by the straight line connecting the right connecting fulcrum of the rear wheelchair and the right connecting fulcrum of the front wheelchair, and the connecting rod attached to the right connecting fulcrum of the front wheelchair θ; angle formed by the rear wheelchair and the front wheelchair (rear wheelchair Clockwise direction is +)

[0020]

[Formula 1]

3. Operability in the rear wheelchair From the above geometrical constraint equation, if α1 is determined, α
2, α3, β1, β2, β3 are determined, and θ is also determined.
Therefore, θ can be freely changed by arbitrarily changing α1 by operating the rear wheelchair. Also,
The larger the θ, the smaller the turning radius, and conversely, the smaller the θ, the larger the turning radius. As a result, the turning radius can be freely controlled by operating the rear wheelchair. <Straight ahead> When the rear wheelchair is operated so that α1 = α2, α1 = α2 = β1 = β2 and θ = 0, and the vehicle can be advanced straight. <Left turn> When the rear wheelchair is turned clockwise such that α1> α2, β1> β2 and θ <0, and the vehicle can be turned left. <Right turn> When the rear wheelchair is turned counterclockwise so that α1 <α2, β1 <β2, θ> 0, and a right turn can be made.

FIG. 5 illustrates a wheelchair connecting structure in which two connecting rods intersect without contact. In FIG. (A), the joint heights of the connecting rod attaching means 13, 15 of the two connecting rods 7, 8 to the wheelchair 1 are staggered (the heights h1 ≠ h2 of the connecting rod attaching means 13, 15). In addition, in FIG. 2B, one connecting rod 8 is curved (or U-shaped) so that the two connecting rods 7 and 8 intersect each other without being blocked. .

In FIG. 6, one connecting rod 7 penetrates the other connecting rod 8 so that two connecting rods 7, 8 are formed.
Intersect without blocking each other.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the connecting rod / frame attaching unit is a frame attaching means 17 for the wheelchair frames 2, 3, 5, 6 and a pin 1 for connecting the connecting rod.
8 and connecting rod attaching means 13 to 16 each having a diameter larger than the diameter of the universal joint 19 or the pin 18 which is pivotally connected to the pin 18 and which can be swung vertically and horizontally. By arranging the hole 20 penetrating therethrough, the connecting rod / frame mounting unit 32 is always installed in the wheelchair, and the wheelchair is connected through the universal joint 19 or the hole 20 only when two wheelchairs need to be connected. The rods 7 and 8 are attached to the connecting rod attaching means 13 to 16 so that only the connecting rods 7 and 8 can be removed when unnecessary.

In FIG. 9, one of the T-shaped beams at the lower front or rear of the wheelchair frame is fitted with a beam 21 protruding downward (for example, a footrest mounting adjusting screw portion).
Two parallel plates 24 sandwiching the beam 21 and the intersecting member 22 that intersects with the beam 21 are arranged on the upper portion of the cylinder 23 to prevent the cylinder 23 from rotating and to be disposed above the tip of the parallel plate 24. A pin 25 penetrating through the hole and passing through the cross member 22 at the joint between the cross member 22 and the beam 21 prevents the cylinder 23 from coming off the beam 21, and further bends the pin 25 downward. The pin 25 is prevented from falling off by being pressed by the retaining means 26. In addition, the pin 18 fixed to the lower portion of the tube 23 is pivotally connected to the left and right swingable joint means 28 disposed at the tip of the connecting rod 29, and the nut 31 is tightened to fix the connecting rod 29. The cylinder 23 is integrally formed, and it is possible to remove the pin 25 with one touch without removing the mounting means on the wheelchair side.

In FIG. 10, one of the T-shaped beams at the lower front or rear of the wheelchair frame, which is a beam 2 protruding in the horizontal direction, is used.
A cylinder 23 that fits into one (for example, a tipping lever)
A connecting rod attachment means 27 having a joint means 28 fixed to the rear of the cylinder 23 for pivotally connecting the connecting rod 29;
A part of the front part of 3 is a parallel plate 24 formed in a U-shaped plate to sandwich the cross member 22 to prevent the cylinder 23 from rotating, and penetrate a hole provided at the upper end of the parallel plate 24. The pin 25 that passes through the front surface of the sandwiched beam 22 prevents the tube 23 from coming off the beam 21, and further the pin 25 is attached to the tube 2.
The pin 25 is prevented from falling off by bending it in the axial direction of 3 and pressing it by the retaining means 26. In addition, the pin 18 of the connecting rod attaching means 27 fixed to the rear of the cylinder 23.
The joint means 28, which is arranged at the tip of the connecting rod 29 and is capable of swinging in the left, right, up and down directions, is pivotally connected, and the connecting rod 29 and the cylinder 23 are integrally configured by tightening and fixing with a nut 31.
It is possible to attach and detach with one touch by removing the pin 25 without providing a mounting means on the wheelchair side.

In FIG. 11, one of the T-shaped beams at the lower front or rear of the wheelchair frame, which is a beam 2 protruding in the horizontal direction, is used.
A pin 30 for pivotally connecting a cylinder 23 that fits in 1 and a connecting rod 29 that protrudes upward or downward behind the cylinder 23.
And a hole provided in the upper end of the parallel plate 24 to prevent the cylinder 23 from rotating by sandwiching the cross member 22 by the parallel plate 24 in which a front part of the cylinder 23 is formed as a U-shaped plate. Pin 2 passing through the front surface of the sandwiched cross member 22
The cylinder 23 is prevented from coming off the beam 21 by means of 5, and the pin 25 is prevented from coming off by bending the pin 25 in the axial direction of the cylinder 23 and pressing it with the retaining means 26. Further, a joint means 28, which is arranged at the tip of a connecting rod 29 and is capable of swinging left and right and up and down, is pivotally connected to the pin 30.
By tightening and fixing with the nut 31, the connecting rod 2
The 9 and the cylinder 23 are integrally formed, and it is possible to remove the pin 25 with one touch without removing the mounting means on the wheelchair side.

In FIG. 12, one of the T-shaped beams of the wheelchair frame is provided with a member 33 parallel to the beam 21 (for example, a footrest mounting adjusting screw portion) protruding downward, and the beam 21 provided below the member 33. A surface 34 that constrains from two directions,
A member 35 having a surface for restraining the beam 21 in the same direction as the surface 34 above the cross member 22, a hinge means 36 attached to one end of the member 35 so as to be swingable around the axis of the beam 21, and the other. At the end, a fastening means 37 for fastening the member 33 and the member 35 is provided to prevent the member 33 from falling out of the beam 21, and further, at a position slightly deviated from the surface 34 in the direction of the cross member 22, the surface 34 The member 38 having a surface for restraining the beam 21 from the opposite direction to the restraint of No. 2 and the adjusting means 39 for adjusting the distance of the member 38 from the member 33 are arranged. The member 33 can be firmly attached to the beam 21 by adjusting the distance according to the cross-sectional dimension and strongly tightening the member 35 to the member 33 by the tightening means 37. Further, the pin 18 fixed to the lower portion of the member 33 is pivotally connected to the joint means 28 which is arranged at the tip of the connecting rod 29 and which can be swung vertically and horizontally, and is tightened by the nut 31. And the fastening means 37 without integrally mounting the wheelchair on the wheelchair side.
By loosening the beam 21 and releasing the beam 21 from the restraint of the member 35, the connecting rod / frame mounting unit 32 can be detached with one touch.

In FIG. 13, one of the T-shaped beams of the wheelchair frame, which is parallel to the horizontally projecting beam 21 (for example, a tipping lever), and the upper or lower part of the member 40 which is disposed at the rear portion of the member 40. A pin 30 for pivotally connecting the protruding connecting rod 29, a member 41 having a surface for restraining the beam 21 from two directions behind the member 40, and a shaft of the member 40 and the beam 21 at one end of the member 41. The hinge means 42 is attached so as to be swingable around, and the fastening means 43 for fastening the member 40 and the member 41 is provided at the other end, so that the member 40 can be attached to the beam 21 not only in the axial direction but also in the lateral direction. It is possible to mount the beam 21, and the beam 21 is provided in front of the cross member 22.
A member 44 having a surface for restraining from the same direction, a hinge means 45 attached to one end of the member 44 so as to be swingable around the axis of the member 40 and the beam 21, and a member 40 and the member 44 fastened to the other end. The member 40 having the fastening means 46 has the beam 2
1 and a member 47 having a surface for restraining the beam 21 from a direction opposite to the restraint of the member 41 at a position slightly deviated from the member 41 in the direction of the crossing member 22 and a member 47. Adjustment means 4 for adjusting the distance from 40
8 is arranged, the member 47 is adjusted by the adjusting means 48 to a distance matching the cross-sectional size of the beam 21, and the member 44 is tightened.
The member 40 can be firmly attached to the beam 21 by tightening it tightly to the member 40 at 6. Also, the pin 3
0, the joint means 28 disposed at the tip of the connecting rod 29, which can be swung vertically and horizontally, is pivotally connected, and the nut 31 is tightened and fixed to integrally form the connecting rod 29 and the member 40. Without tightening means on the side, tightening means 46
By loosening the beam 21 and releasing the beam 21 from the restraint of the member 44, the connecting rod / frame mounting unit 32 can be detached with one touch.

[0030]

According to the present invention, the following effects are exhibited. (1) The intention to operate the rear wheelchair can be reliably transmitted to the front wheelchair, and one caregiver can freely and easily move and operate the two wheelchairs in a desired direction while observing the state of the patient. (2) Since one caregiver can move two wheelchairs without requiring an unnatural posture or force, the caregiver's physical fatigue can be reduced. (3) Since the connecting device is not influenced by the frame width of the wheelchair, it is possible to flexibly deal with the dimensional difference of various commercially available wheelchairs. (4) In the shortage of caregivers in the medical field, it is possible to reduce the labor required for moving patients to the hospital and taking walks outdoors. (5) Patients will be able to receive sufficient services for in-hospital and outdoor walks. (6) Since the connecting device does not require a mounting jig such as a beam that straddles the left and right frames of the wheelchair, the connecting device can be made lighter in weight and simpler to attach and detach than the connecting device of the prior art. (7) The structure is simple and light, and even a weak nurse can easily attach and detach.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of two wheelchairs according to an embodiment of the present invention and a cascade connection wheelchair connected by two connecting rods intersecting with each other.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of two wheelchairs according to the same embodiment and a case in which a column-connected wheelchair connected by two connecting rods crossing each other makes a straight advance, a left turn, and a right turn.

FIG. 3 is a geometrical explanatory view showing that the two wheelchairs of the embodiment and the column-connected wheelchair connected by two intersecting connecting rods have good operability when going straight or turning left.

FIG. 4 (a) is an intersection of two wheelchairs of the same embodiment.
A geometrical explanatory diagram for good operability when turning right by a cascade connection wheelchair connected with a connecting rod of a book,
(B) An enlarged view of a geometrical explanation for good operability when right-turning is performed by the two wheelchairs of the embodiment and a cascade connection wheelchair connected by two intersecting connecting rods.

(A) Of the two intersecting connecting rods of the same embodiment,
A perspective view of a cascade connection wheelchair in which the connection height is changed so that the connection rods are connected to the rear right end frame of the front wheelchair, and (b) the two connection rods that intersect in the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cascade connection wheelchair in which a connection rod connected to a rear right end frame of a front wheelchair is bent downward to change the height so that the connection rod intersects.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cascade connection wheelchair in which one of the two intersecting connecting rods of the embodiment intersects with the other connecting rod so that the connecting rods intersect.

FIG. 7 (a) A connecting rod attaching means having a pin for pivotally connecting the attaching means to the frame and the connecting rod of the same embodiment is attached to a horizontal wheelchair frame, and is larger than a pin diameter capable of swinging left and right and up and down. And (b) an explanatory view in the case of inserting a joint having a hole into a pin, and (b) an attachment means for attaching to a frame of the embodiment and a connecting rod attaching means for connecting a connecting rod to a frame are attached to a vertical wheelchair frame. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a case in which a joint having a hole larger than a pin diameter capable of swinging vertically and horizontally is inserted into a pin.

FIG. 8 (a) A connecting rod attaching means having a pin for pivotally connecting the attaching means to the frame and the connecting rod of the same embodiment is attached to a horizontal wheelchair frame, and a universal joint which can be swung vertically and horizontally is pinned. And (b) a connecting rod attaching means having pins for pivotally connecting the connecting means to the frame and the connecting rod of the same embodiment is attached to a vertical wheelchair frame, and swings vertically and horizontally. Explanatory drawing at the time of inserting a possible universal joint in a pin.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the detachable connecting rod / frame mounting unit of the embodiment, the joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rod and the connecting rod are attached to the vertically protruding beam of the T-shaped beam of the wheelchair frame. .

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view when the detachable connecting rod / frame mounting unit of the embodiment and the joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rod and the connecting rod are attached to the horizontally protruding beam of the T-shaped beam of the wheelchair frame. .

FIG. 11 is a view showing another embodiment in which the detachable connecting rod / frame mounting unit of the embodiment and the joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rod and the connecting rod are attached to the horizontally protruding beam of the T-shaped beam of the wheelchair frame. Explanatory drawing of an example.

FIG. 12 is a beam projecting below a T-shaped beam of a wheelchair frame, which is a detachable connecting rod / frame mounting unit having the tightening means and adjusting means of the embodiment, and a connecting means for connecting the connecting rod and the connecting rod. Explanatory diagram when attached to.

FIG. 13 is a beam projecting horizontally of a T-shaped beam of a wheelchair frame, which is a detachable connecting rod / frame mounting unit having the tightening means and the adjusting means of the embodiment and joint means for connecting the connecting rod and the connecting rod. Explanatory diagram when attached to.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: front wheelchair 2, 5: left end frame 3, 6: right end frame 4: rear wheelchair 7, 8: connecting rod 9, 10, 11,
12: Joint means 13, 14, 15, 16: Connecting rod attaching means 17: Frame attaching means 18: Pin 19: Universal joint 20: Hole 21: Beam 22: Cross member 23: Tube 24: U-shaped parallel plate 25: Pin 26: Preventing means 27: Connecting rod mounting means 28: Jointing means 29: Connecting rod 30: Pin 31: Nut 32: Connecting rod / frame mounting unit 33, 40: Member 34: Surface 35, 41, 44: Member 36 , 42, 4
5: hinge means 37, 43, 46: tightening means 38, 47: members 39, 48: adjusting means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshikazu Kishida 6-5 Sumizaki-cho, Tokuyama City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (56) Reference JP-A-10-277097 (JP, A) JP-A-2000-62905 (JP, A ) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-71953 (JP, A) Actual Open Flat 7-31025 (JP, U) Actual Open Flat 7-12126 (JP, U) Actual Open Flat 6-51053 (JP, U) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61G 1/00-15/00 B62B 1/00-19/04

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cascade connection wheelchair in which wheelchairs arranged at a predetermined distance in the front and rear are connected by two connection rods that intersect each other in a plane, and one of the connection rods of the two connection rods intersects each other. One end is pivotally connected to the rear left end frame of the front wheelchair, the other end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the front right end frame of the rear wheelchair, and one end of the other connecting rod is connected to the rear right end frame of the front wheelchair. A cascade connection wheelchair characterized in that the other end of the connection rod is pivotally connected to the front left end frame of the rear wheelchair. 2. A cascade connection wheelchair in which wheelchairs arranged at a predetermined distance in front and rear are connected by two connection rods that intersect each other in a plane, wherein one of the connection rods of the two connection rods intersects with each other. One end is pivotally connected to the front left end frame of the front wheelchair, and the other end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the front right end frame of the rear wheelchair through swingable left and right joint means, respectively, and the other connecting rod is connected. One end of the wheelchair is connected to the rear right end frame of the front wheelchair, and the other end of the connecting rod is connected to the front left end frame of the rear wheelchair through the joint means swingable vertically and horizontally. A column-connected wheelchair featuring. 3. The connecting rod / frame mounting, wherein the wheelchair comprises connecting rod mounting means having joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rod, and frame mounting means for detachably mounting the connecting rod to the wheelchair frame. The cascade connection wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the units are attached to frames at the front left and right ends and the rear left and right ends of the wheelchair. 4. The two connecting rods are formed by intersecting each other by changing the mounting height of one or both of the coupling means of any one of them. The column-connected wheelchair according to item 1. 5. The two connecting rods are formed by bending or curving upward or downward from the vicinity of any one or both of the respective coupling means to change their heights and intersect each other. The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 6. The two connecting rods are each provided with a long slit in one connecting rod, and the other connecting rod is penetrated through the slit to cross each other. The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of 1 to 3. 7. A joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rod, a pin for pivotally connecting the connecting rod protruding upward from the connecting rod attaching means at the tip of the connecting rod / frame attaching unit, and a tip of the connecting rod. The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the through hole having a diameter larger than the pin diameter is pivotally connected. 8. A joint means for pivotally connecting the connecting rod, a pin for pivotally connecting the connecting rod protruding upward from the connecting rod attaching means at the tip of the connecting rod / frame attaching unit, and a tip of the connecting rod. 4. A universal joint having a through hole for fitting with the pin is pivotally connected.
The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of 6 above. 9. The universal joint is configured by a sphere having a through hole for fitting the pin to the tip of a connecting rod and a casing having upper and lower ends surrounding the sphere opened. The cascade connection wheelchair according to claim 8. 10. A cylinder in which the connecting rod / frame mounting unit is fitted to one of T-shaped beams at the lower front or rear of the wheelchair frame that protrudes downward, and a cylinder fixed to the lower part of the cylinder and downward. A pin for pivotally connecting the protruding connecting rod,
A part of the upper part of the tube is formed into a U-shaped plate, and the other of the T-shaped beams is sandwiched, and at the same time, the U-shaped plate is penetrated through a hole provided at the upper end of the U-shaped plate to sandwich the sandwiched beam. The cascade connection wheelchair according to any one of claims 3 to 9, further comprising a pin that passes through an upper surface. 11. A cylinder for fitting the connecting rod / frame mounting unit to one of the T-shaped beams at the lower front or rear of the wheelchair frame that protrudes in the horizontal direction, and a cylinder fixed to the rear of the cylinder. Alternatively, a connecting rod attaching means having a pin for pivotally connecting the connecting rod protruding downward and a part of the front of the cylinder are formed in a U-shaped plate, and the other of the T-shaped beams is clamped at the same time, 10. A pin that passes through a hole provided in the upper end of the tip of the U-shaped plate and passes through the front surface of the sandwiched beam, according to any one of claims 3 to 9. Cascaded wheelchair. 12. A tube in which the connecting rod / frame mounting unit is fitted to one of the T-shaped beams at the lower front or rear of the wheelchair frame that protrudes in the horizontal direction, and a tube at the rear of the tube. A pin for pivotally connecting a connecting rod protruding upward or downward and fixedly attached to a U-shaped plate to hold the other end of the T-shaped beam at the same time as forming a U-shaped plate.
The column according to any one of claims 3 to 9, further comprising: a pin that passes through a hole provided in an upper portion of a tip of the character-shaped plate and passes through a front surface of the sandwiched beam. Connected wheelchair.