JP4095377B2 - Wheelbarrow handle height adjustment mechanism - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a height adjustment mechanism for a wheelbarrow handle. Wheelbarrows include cars that are pushed by a person with a handle from behind, such as a baby carriage, nursing wheelchair, and silver car.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The height of the person who pushes the wheelbarrow with the handle is not the same. In many cases, another person with a different height pushes the same wheelbarrow. If the position of the handle is too high or too low for the person, it can easily get tired or hurt the waist.
[0003]
Therefore, a mechanism for adjusting the height of the handle has been considered. What has been considered as a conventional handle height adjustment mechanism is a telescopic inner tube and an outer tube that constitute the vertical portion of the wheelbarrow handle, and has an inner hole that is aligned in the vertical direction on the side wall. An outer tube having an outer hole in the side wall that can be aligned with a selected one of the tube and the plurality of inner holes, and a C-shaped clip that is detachably attached to the outer tube by its own elasticity. Some of them consisted of a C-shaped clip having an inner protrusion that can be inserted into one inner hole aligned with the outer hole on the center inner surface. When changing the height of the handle, remove the C-shaped clip from the outer tube, move the outer tube released from the inner projection up and down, select another inner hole that aligns with the outer hole, and again attach the C-shaped clip to the outer tube. The outer tube and the inner tube are fixed by the inner protrusion.
[0004]
With such an adjusting mechanism, it takes time to remove the C-shaped clip from the outer tube or to refit it. This is because both hands are required to handle one C-shaped clip while holding down the handle, and it is difficult to reliably insert the inward projection after aligning the outer hole and the inner hole. Furthermore, there is a concern that the C-shaped clip may be inadvertently detached when the handcart is running. If it is in a form that is difficult to remove carelessly, it will be difficult to remove it this time.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a handle height adjustment mechanism for a handcart that can be operated quickly and reliably.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention,
A telescopic inner tube and an outer tube constituting a longitudinal portion of the handle of the wheelbarrow, and an inner tube having a plurality of vertically aligned inner holes on a side wall and a selected one of the plurality of inner holes. An outer tube having an outer hole in the side wall that can be aligned with the one;
A housing attached to the outer tube, the housing including a sleeve portion that forms a linear passage that extends in a laterally outward direction of the outer tube in alignment with the outer hole;
A pin that can be inserted into the linear passage of the sleeve portion, the outer hole, and one inner hole that is aligned with the outer hole, and a pin having a locking portion at the outer end;
The lever pivoted on the housing has a fulcrum part at the center, a force point part at one end, and an action point part at the other end, and the action point part engages with the locking part of the pin. A lever provided with a sliding portion to
With
When the action point portion swings in a direction away from the outer tube, the sliding portion of the action point portion slides and engages with the locking portion of the pin, and the pin is connected to the linear passage of the sleeve portion. Withdrawn from the inner hole along the
When the action point portion swings in a direction toward the outer tube, the sliding portion of the action point portion is slidably engaged with the locking portion of the pin, and the pin is connected to the linear passage of the sleeve portion. Is adapted to be inserted into the inner hole along
A wheelbarrow handle height adjustment mechanism is provided.
[0007]
Furthermore, a spring that constantly urges the force point portion in a direction away from the outer tube is provided, and by the force of the spring, the action point portion swings in a direction toward the outer tube, and the pin is The state inserted in the inner hole can be maintained.
[0008]
The locking portion may be an enlarged head formed on the pin. In this case, the sliding portion includes an inner sliding portion that slidingly engages with an inner surface of the enlarged head, and an outer sliding portion that slidingly engages with an outer surface of the enlarged head, The sliding portion may include a long groove having a width capable of receiving the shaft portion of the pin.
[0009]
Alternatively, the locking portion can be a reduced diameter groove portion formed in the pin. In this case, the sliding portion may include a long groove having a width capable of receiving the reduced diameter groove portion of the pin.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a so-called silver car used by an elderly person for shopping. Other wheelbarrows include baby carriages and nursing wheelchairs. The user places a hand on the horizontal upper part 2 of the handle 1 and pushes the wheelbarrow. In a type in which there is no horizontal upper portion and the upper ends of the vertical portions 3 on both sides are bent toward the user side, the handcart is pushed by holding the bent portion. The handle height adjusting mechanism of the handcart according to the present invention is provided in the longitudinal portion 3 of the handle 1.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a handle height adjusting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the handle height is fixed. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the handle height adjusting mechanism, but shows a free state in which the handle height is variable. FIG. 3 shows (a) a front view, (b) a side view, and (c) a top view of the adjustment mechanism in a state in which the handle height is fixed as in FIG. 4A is a front view, FIG. 4B is a right side view, FIG. 4C is a left side view, FIG. 4D is a top view, and FIG. 4E is a bottom view. FIG. 5: is the (a) longitudinal cross-sectional view of a housing, (b) bb arrow directional view, and (c) cc arrow directional view. 6A is a front view, FIG. 6B is a right side view, FIG. 6C is a left side view, FIG. 6D is a top view, and FIG. 6E is a bottom view. FIG. 7: shows the (a) longitudinal cross-sectional view and (b) bb arrow figure of a lever.
[0012]
The handle height adjusting mechanism according to the present invention includes a part of a telescopic inner tube 4 and an outer tube 5 constituting the longitudinal portion 3 of the handle 1. A plurality of inner holes 6 aligned in the vertical direction are formed in the side wall of the inner tube 4. On the other hand, one outer hole 7 is formed in the side wall of the outer tube 5. The outer hole 7 can be aligned with a selected one of the plurality of inner holes 6. The height of the handle 1 is determined by which inner hole 6 the outer hole 7 is aligned with.
[0013]
The adjustment mechanism includes a housing 8. The housing 8 includes an outer tube attachment portion 9 and a lever attachment portion 10. The outer tube attachment portion 9 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The housing 8 is attached to the outer tube 5 by fitting the outer tube attachment portion 9 into the outer tube 5. A substantially annular retaining portion 12 (see FIG. 4D) is formed on the bottom portion of the outer tube attaching portion 9 except for a part of the notch portions 11 adjacent to the lever attaching portion 10. The position of the retaining portion 12 that faces the notch portion 11 is further raised to form the detent portion 13. A notch (not shown) for fitting the rotation stopper 13 is formed at the lower end of the outer tube 5. The retaining portion 12 and the rotation preventing portion 13 prevent the housing 8 from being pulled upward or rotating.
[0014]
Holes 16 for receiving both ends of a shaft member 15 for pivotally mounting a lever 14 to be described later are formed in the side wall of the lever mounting portion 10 of the housing 8. A sleeve portion 17 is provided on the lower inner surface of the lever mounting portion 10. A straight passage 18 is formed inside the sleeve portion 17. The direct garden passage 18 is provided at a position aligned with the outer hole 7 when the housing 8 is attached to the outer tube 5, and extends outward in the lateral direction of the outer tube 5.
[0015]
The adjustment mechanism includes a pin 19. The pin 19 is inserted into the straight passage 18 of the sleeve portion 17. The pin 19 has a shaft portion having a diameter that can slide in the linear passage 18, and an enlarged head 20 is formed at the outer end. The enlarged head 20 serves as a locking portion with the lever 14 as will be described later. In the state of FIG. 1, the pin 19 extends through the straight passage 18, the outer hole 7 and one inner hole 6 selected to align with the outer hole 7. As a result, the relative position between the inner tube 4 and the outer tube 5, and thus the height of the handle 1, is fixed by the pins 19.
[0016]
Comparing the dimension of the diameter of the shaft portion of the pin 19 and the length of the straight passage 18, it is preferable that the straight passage 18 has a length equal to or greater than the diameter of the shaft portion of the pin 19 at least.
[0017]
The adjustment mechanism includes a lever 14. The lever 14 has a fulcrum part 21 at the center, a force point part 22 at one end, and an action point part 23 at the other end. The action point portion 23 is provided with a sliding portion that engages with the enlarged head 20 that is a locking portion of the pin 19. In this embodiment, the sliding portion includes an inner sliding portion 24 that is slidably engaged with the inner surface of the enlarged head 20, and an outer sliding portion 25 that is slidably engaged with the outer surface of the enlarged head 20. I have. The inner sliding portion 24 has a long groove 26 having a width capable of receiving the shaft portion of the pin 19.
[0018]
A compression coil spring 27 is provided between the force point portion 22 of the lever 14 and the lever mounting portion 10 of the housing 8. The spring 27 constantly urges the force point portion 22 in a direction away from the outer tube 5. By the spring 27, the action point portion 23 is given a force that swings in the direction toward the outer tube 5. Further, due to the force of the spring 27, the action point portion 23 holds the pin 19 in the state shown in FIG. 1, that is, in a state where the pin 19 is inserted into the inner hole 6 and the inner tube 4 and the outer tube 5 are fixed.
[0019]
Both end portions of the spring 27 are supported by the inner surface of the force point portion 22 of the lever 14 and the outer ends of the protrusions 28 of the lever mounting portion 10 of the housing 8. As shown in FIG. 4B, the protrusion 28 is formed at the free end of an arm 29 formed in a cantilever shape on the inner wall of the lever mounting portion 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner end of the protrusion 28, that is, the end on the outer tube 5 side, enters into an opening 30 formed in the outer tube 5. This prevents the housing 8 from coming off and rotating downward. Since the spring 27 acts so as to keep the inner end of the projection 28 in the opening 30 at all times, the downward slipping and the prevention of rotation are further ensured.
[0020]
The operation will be described. Now, as shown in FIG. 1, the pin 19 is inserted into the outer hole 7 of the outer tube 5 and the inner hole 6 of the inner tube 4 which are aligned with each other, and the height of the handle 1 is fixed. Shall. When it is desired to change the height of the handle 1, the user pushes the power point portion 22 of the lever 14 with the thumb. Then, the action point portion 23 of the lever 14 swings away from the outer tube 5. Then, the inner sliding portion 24 pulls out the pin 19 from the inner hole 6 of the inner tube 4 along the straight passage 18 of the sleeve portion 17 while slidingly engaging with the inner surface of the enlarged head 20 of the pin 19 ( (See FIG. 2).
[0021]
In the state of FIG. 2, the inner tube 4 and the outer tube 5 are relatively movable. The user can change the height of the handle 1 by moving the outer tube 5 up and down with a hand holding the housing 8 while pressing the force point portion 22 of the lever 14 with the thumb. When another inner hole 6 of the inner tube 4 to be aligned with the outer hole 7 of the outer tube 5 is selected and aligned, the thumb is released there. Then, the action point portion 23 of the lever 14 swings in the direction toward the outer tube 5 by the force of the spring 27. At this time, the outer sliding portion 23 of the action point portion 23 is in sliding engagement with the outer surface of the enlarged head 20 of the pin 19, and the pin 19 is moved along the straight passage 18 of the sleeve portion 17 of the inner tube 4. Insert into the inner hole 6.
[0022]
In both cases where the pin 19 is pulled out from the inner hole 6 and when the pin 19 is inserted into the inner hole 6, the pin 19 is guided by the linear passage 18 of the sleeve portion 17 and can move straightly. Since the enlarged head 20 serving as the locking portion of the pin 19 and the sliding portion (the inner sliding portion 24 and the outer sliding portion 25) of the action point portion 23 of the lever 14 are slidably engaged with each other, the pin 19 It does not interfere with the straight-line movement.
[0023]
It is difficult to visually align the outer hole 7 and the inner hole 6. However, once the force point portion 22 of the lever 14 is pressed and the pin 19 is once pulled out of the inner hole 6, and the thumb is released at a place that seems to be appropriate while the outer tube 5 is being moved up and down, the pin is pulled by the force of the spring 27. 19 is inserted into the nearest inner hole 6.
[0024]
Although it is desirable to use the spring 27 as described above, the spring 27 may be omitted. In this case, when the pin 19 is inserted into the inner hole 6, it is necessary to push the action point portion 23 of the lever 14 with the finger of the user. It is desirable to provide some locking means between the lever 14 and the lever mounting portion 10 of the housing 8 in order to securely hold the state where the pin 19 is inserted into the inner hole 6.
[0025]
The shape of the pin 19 may be changed. For example, as the locking portion of the pin 19, a reduced diameter groove portion may be provided instead of the enlarged head 20 as shown in the illustrated embodiment. In this case, the sliding portion of the action point portion 23 of the lever 14 need only be a portion corresponding to the inner sliding portion 24. The outer sliding portion 25 can be omitted. At this time, the inner sliding portion 24 has a long groove having a width capable of receiving the reduced diameter groove portion of the pin 19. The inner sliding portion 24 is slidably engaged with the wall surfaces on both sides of the reduced diameter groove portion.
[0026]
As another modified example of the pin 19, a configuration in which two enlarged heads 20 are provided is also conceivable. In this case, the shaft part between the two enlarged heads 20 is the above-mentioned reduced diameter groove part. Also in this case, the sliding portion of the lever 14 need only correspond to the inner sliding portion 24, and the outer sliding portion 25 can be omitted.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
According to the handle height adjusting mechanism of the present invention, it is possible to operate the pin necessary for fixing and releasing the fixing between the outer tube and the inner tube of the handle only by operating the lever. It can be carried out.
[0028]
Further, since the linear passage of the sleeve portion guides the movement of the pin, the pin can be reliably inserted into the outer hole and the inner hole. Further, the straight passage of the sleeve portion prevents rattling of the pin after insertion.
[0029]
When a spring that constantly biases the lever's force point away from the outer tube is used, the lever's force point swings in the direction toward the outer tube due to the force of this spring, and the pin is in the inner hole. The pin is held in a state where it is inserted, so there is very little concern that the pin will come off while the wheelbarrow is running.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a handle height adjusting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the handle height is fixed.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the handle height adjusting mechanism, showing a free state in which the handle height is variable.
3A is a front view, FIG. 3B is a side view, and FIG. 3C is a top view of the adjustment mechanism in a state where the handle height is fixed as in FIG. 1;
4A is a front view, FIG. 4B is a right side view, FIG. 4C is a left side view, FIG. 4D is a top view, and FIG. 4E is a bottom view.
5A is a longitudinal sectional view of a housing, FIG. 5B is a view taken along the line bb, and FIG. 5C is a view taken along the line cc.
6A is a front view, FIG. 6B is a right side view, FIG. 6C is a left side view, FIG. 6D is a top view, and FIG. 6E is a bottom view.
7A is a longitudinal sectional view of the lever and FIG. 7B is a view taken along the line bb.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a silver car which is an example of a handcart.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Handle, 2 Horizontal upper part, 3 Vertical part of the handle, 4 Inner pipe, 5 Outer pipe, 6 Inner hole, 7 Outer hole, 8 Housing, 9 Outer pipe attaching part, 10 Lever attaching part, 11 Notch part, 12 Detachment part, 13 Anti-rotation part, 14 Lever 14, 15 Shaft member, 16 Hole, 17 Sleeve part, 18 Linear passage, 19 Pin, 20 Enlarged head (locking part), 21 Support point part, 22 Force point part, 23 Action point portion, 24 inner sliding portion (sliding portion), 25 outer sliding portion (sliding portion), 26 long groove, 27 compression coil spring, 28 protrusion, 29 arm, 30 opening.

Claims (4)

A telescopic inner tube and an outer tube constituting a longitudinal portion of the handle of the wheelbarrow, and an inner tube having a plurality of vertically aligned inner holes on a side wall and a selected one of the plurality of inner holes. An outer tube having an outer hole in the side wall that can be aligned with the one;
A housing attached to the outer tube, the housing including a sleeve portion that forms a linear passage that extends in a laterally outward direction of the outer tube in alignment with the outer hole;
A pin that can be inserted into the linear passage of the sleeve portion, the outer hole, and one inner hole that is aligned with the outer hole, and a pin having a locking portion at the outer end;
The lever pivoted on the housing has a fulcrum part at the center, a force point part at one end, and an action point part at the other end, and the action point part engages with the locking part of the pin. A lever provided with a sliding portion to
With
When the action point portion swings in a direction away from the outer tube, the sliding portion of the action point portion slides and engages with the locking portion of the pin, and the pin is connected to the linear passage of the sleeve portion. Withdrawn from the inner hole along the
When the action point portion swings in a direction toward the outer tube, the sliding portion of the action point portion is slidably engaged with the locking portion of the pin, and the pin is connected to the linear passage of the sleeve portion. Is adapted to be inserted into the inner hole along
Wheelbarrow handle height adjustment mechanism. A spring that constantly urges the force point portion in a direction away from the outer tube is further provided, and by the force of the spring, the action point portion swings in a direction toward the outer tube, and the pin The adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to be held in a state of being inserted into the inner hole. The locking portion is an enlarged head formed on the pin, and the sliding portion is an inner sliding portion that slidingly engages with an inner surface of the enlarged head, and an outer surface of the enlarged head. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising an outer sliding portion that slidingly engages, wherein the inner sliding portion includes a long groove having a width that can receive the shaft portion of the pin. The said latching | locking part is a diameter reduction groove part formed in the said pin, The said sliding part is equipped with the long groove which has a width | variety which can accept the said diameter reduction groove part of the said pin. The adjustment mechanism described.

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