JP5240907B2 - Walking equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a walking instrument that is used as an auxiliary tool when an elderly person or a physically handicapped person stands up, holds a standing position, walks, or performs housework work indoors or outdoors.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many walking implements are provided with a handle having a fixed height at a predetermined position of a frame to which wheels are attached, and are formed so as to be movable by hand. There are also known walking devices having a foldable structure and simple chairs.

  For example, the standing walker disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended to stand up from the state where the user is seated on the bed or the like, or to sit on the bed or the like away from the walker. When gripped by a support arm provided below the walking handle, a load is applied to the support arm and a brake is applied to the wheel.

Moreover, the walker with a saddle disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a structure in which a wheel is braked when a load is applied to a handrail that is a folding pipe.
JP 2000-279 A JP 2004-105396 A

  However, in the standing walker of Patent Document 1, since the supporting arm portion is provided at a certain height, for example, the supporting arm portion stands up from a state where the user is seated on a bed or chair. If it was set at a convenient height, it would be difficult to grasp when standing up from a sitting on the floor and felt inconvenient.

  On the other hand, in the walker with a saddle of Patent Document 2, since both ends of the handrail that the user grips are closed by the pillars, the pair of left and right hands arranged on the side of the walker This strut became an obstacle when trying to grab the slide at the same time, and the handrail could not be gripped with a smooth motion. Also, it is difficult to get up by holding the handrail on either the left or right side with both hands.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned background art, and can assist a user with weak legs, standing up by himself, holding a standing position, walking, housework, etc., with the assistance of others. An object of the present invention is to provide a walking device that can be used comfortably for a long period of time and can be used for rehabilitation and preventive care.

The present invention is a walking device provided with a front wheel side frame body constituted by a pair of frame bodies to which front wheels are attached and a rear wheel side frame body constituted by a pair of frame bodies to which rear wheels are attached. The rear wheel side frame body is provided with a plurality of pairs of left and right grips protruding at the rear wheel side at different heights, and the front wheel side frame body includes the rear wheel side frame. A pair of left and right grips are provided at relatively low positions in the same protruding direction as the grip pairs provided on the body, and the rear wheel side frame body and the front wheel side frame body are provided with shaft members provided on the left and right sides. This is a walking device that swings as a rotation shaft and is pivotally attached to each other so as to be foldable in the front-rear direction .

  The rear-wheel side frame body and the front-wheel side frame body swing around a pair of left and right shaft members as rotation axes and are pivotally attached to each other so as to be foldable in the front-rear direction.

  A connecting bar that connects a pair of frame bodies to which the front wheels are attached to the left and right ends and a connecting bar that connects a pair of frame bodies to which the rear wheels are attached to the left and right ends are provided.

  Each connecting bar is provided at a position corresponding to at least one of a user's knee, abdomen, and chest. Further, at least one of the connecting bars is provided at a position of a user's stool. Thereby, each connection bar prevents accidents such as a person walking too far forward and falling down with the walking equipment in the standing position, housework work, and the like. Further, a cushioning material such as a sponge or a towel may be appropriately provided at the contact portion of these connecting bars.

The grip is provided with at least a grip provided on the upper frame so that the height can be adjusted. Furthermore, a seat portion for seating may be provided on the pair of left and right frame bodies of either the front wheel side frame body or the rear wheel frame body .

  According to the walking device of the present invention, a grip having a convenient height can be obtained in any of the standing-up operations such as standing up from a state of sitting on the floor or standing up from a state of sitting on a bed or the like. Can be grabbed as a handrail. In addition, since the posture is changed by holding the pair of left and right grips with both hands, the weight shift occurs in the front and rear and right and left directions, which is suitable for physical function recovery training for cultivating a sense of balance when standing up. Furthermore, it is convenient when standing, walking, and doing housework, and it is easy to use and can be used comfortably without the assistance of others.

  Furthermore, since the front-wheel-side frame body and the frame body to which the rear wheel is attached are assembled so as to be foldable in the front-rear direction with the shaft member as a fulcrum, it can be stored compactly when the walking equipment is not used. .

  Also, by attaching each grip so that the height can be adjusted, even if the user's body shape and the height of the chair used by the user vary, it can be easily changed to a setting that is easy for the user to use. it can. In addition, by adjusting the height of the upper grip to the left and right, the left and right can be adjusted to the most convenient elbow height for standing and housekeeping, and easy to use for a long time. It will be something. Furthermore, since the seat for seating is provided on the walking device, a break can be taken at any time even when walking training is performed outdoors, for example.

  In this way, it is considered that the user can act as much as possible without the assistance of others, and in order to carry out rehabilitation incorporating walking training and daily housework, and physical function recovery training program to prevent care Suitable as a walking device to use.

  Hereinafter, 1st embodiment of the walking implement of this invention is described based on FIG. 1, FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the walking device 10 of this embodiment includes a rear wheel side frame body 12 and a front wheel side frame body 14.

  The rear-wheel-side frame body 12 has a main frame 16, an upper frame 18, and a middle frame 20 assembled together. The main frame 16 is formed in a substantially S shape, a rear wheel 22 is attached to one end portion, and a stopper 24 is attached to the central portion of the S shape. The upper frame 18 is formed in an L shape, and an upper grip 26 and a brake lever 28 are attached to the end of one side. The middle frame 20 is formed as a rod that is substantially straight, and a middle grip 30 is attached to one end.

  The three frames 16, 18, and 20 are integrally assembled via a frame fixing body 34 formed at one end of an upper connection bar 32 described later. The end of the main frame 16 and the end of the middle frame 20 are fixed to the frame fixing body 34 by welding or the like. On the other hand, one side of the upper frame 18 on which the upper grip 26 is not attached is inserted into a through hole of the frame fixing body 34 so as to be slidable up and down, and is fastened and fixed by a lever (not shown) of the frame fixing body 34. . That is, the three frames 16, 18, and 20 constitute a frame body on one side of the left and right via the frame fixing body 34. The left and right frame bodies are connected to the left and right pair by the upper connecting bar 32 to constitute the rear wheel side frame body 12.

  On the other hand, the front wheel side frame body 14 is formed in a substantially L shape, and is attached to the end of one side so that the front wheel 36 can be swung in the direction of 360 degrees, and the lower grip 38 is attached to the end of the other side. Is attached to the lower frame 40. The pair of lower frames 40 are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, the L-shaped bent portions are connected to each other by a middle connecting bar 42, and the end portions to which the front wheel 36 is attached are connected to a front connecting bar. The front wheel side frame body 14 is configured by being connected at 44. In addition, the space | interval which the lower stage frame 40 opposes right and left is set a little narrower than the space | interval which the rear-wheel side frame body 12 opposes so that it may enter between the left-right paired frame bodies of the rear-wheel side frame body 12. ing.

  The rear wheel side frame body 12 and the front wheel side frame body 14 having such a configuration are assembled as follows. First, the front wheel side frame body 14 is disposed inside the rear wheel side frame body 12. The vicinity of the S-shaped bent portion of the main frame 16 and the vicinity of the L-shaped bent portion of the lower frame 40 are attached to each other via a pair of shaft members 46 and can be folded in the front-rear direction with the shaft member 46 as a central axis. Assembled into.

  When the walking device 10 is placed to be usable, as shown in FIG. 1, the three pairs of grips are positioned in the order of the upper grip 26, the middle grip 30, and the lower grip 38 from the highest one. The tips are all directed to the rear of the walking device 10. Further, the lower frame 40 and the main frame 16 intersect with each other about the shaft member 46, and the lower surface of the horizontal portion of the lower frame 40 is supported by the stopper 24 attached to the main frame 16.

  The rear wheel is provided with a rear wheel braking mechanism (not shown), and when the user performs a brake operation, the rear wheel braking mechanism acts via a brake wire (not shown) connected to the front end of the brake lever 28. The rear wheel rotation is controlled.

  Next, an aspect in which the walking device 10 is used will be described. For example, when a user sitting on a chair or bed stands up, the walking device 10 has an opening 48 disposed in front of the user. The user grasps the pair of middle grips 30 at a height that is easy to grasp with both hands, and starts to stand up. Then, it gradually shifts to the upper grip 26 and shifts to a standing position.

  On the other hand, when the user sitting on the floor stands up, the user grasps the pair of lower grips 38 at a height that is easy to grip with both hands, and enters a standing up motion. Then, it gradually shifts from the middle grip 30 to the upper grip 26 and shifts to a standing position.

  When the user enters a walking motion after getting up, the user grasps the upper grip 26 with both hands, and advances forward. When stopping, the brake lever 28 is operated to stop the rotation of the rear wheels.

  Then, when the user walks away from the walking device 10 and sits at a predetermined place, he / she sits in a procedure reverse to the above-described rising operation.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the mounting height of the upper grip 26 is adjusted to the body shape of the user in advance by adjusting the fixing position of the upper frame 18 inserted through the through hole of the frame fixing body 34. It is set to make it easy to get up. Therefore, the user does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable when the walking device 10 is used for assisting standing up. In addition, since there is no obstacle such as a support on the protruding end side of each grip, the user can grasp each grip with a smooth operation by naturally reaching forward from the opening 48 side. . In addition, since the standing up motion is a motion of changing the posture by grasping the left and right grips with both hands, the weight shift occurs in the front-rear and left-right directions, and it is effective for cultivating a sense of balance when standing up.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the walking device 10 can be easily made compact by folding the rear wheel side frame body 12 and the front wheel side frame body 14 in the front-rear direction with the shaft member 46 as a fulcrum. it can. Therefore, it is convenient not to take up a large space when the walking device 10 is stored in a predetermined storage place or transported by an automobile.

  As described above, since the walking device 10 is designed so that the user can act as much as possible without the assistance of others, in order to implement a physical function recovery training program incorporating walking training and daily housework. It is effective as a walking device used for

  Next, 2nd embodiment of the walker of this invention is described based on FIG. 3, FIG. Here, the same configuration as the walking device 10 of the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. In the walking device 60 of this embodiment, the upper grip 26 and the middle grip 30 are provided on an upper middle frame 72 that is an integral frame. Hereinafter, the configuration of the walking device 60 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the walking device 60 includes a front wheel side frame body 62 and a rear wheel side frame body 64 that is a pair of frame bodies to which a rear wheel is attached. The front wheel side frame body 62 is formed in a substantially L-shape, and is attached to the end of one side so that the front wheel 36 can swing in the direction of 360 degrees, and the lower grip 38 is attached to the end of the other side. A lower frame 40 is provided. A reinforcing frame 40 a is attached to the inside of the L-shaped bent portion of the lower frame 40. Furthermore, hook portions 40b and 40c that engage with a stopper metal 74 (to be described later) are formed at two locations, an outer surface near the L-shaped bent portion of the lower frame 40 and an outer surface near the end portion to which the front wheel 36 is attached. Has been. The pair of lower frames 40 oppose to the left and right with a predetermined interval therebetween, and the vicinity of the L-shaped bent portions are connected by a connecting bar (not shown) to constitute a front wheel side frame body 62.

  The rear wheel side frame body 64 includes a main frame 16 and an upper middle frame 72. The main frame 16 is formed in a substantially S shape, a rear wheel 22 is attached to one end portion, and a stopper 24 is attached to the central portion of the S shape. Reinforcing frames 16a and 16b are attached to the inside of each S-shaped bent portion. On the other hand, the upper middle frame 72 is formed in a U shape, and the upper grip 26 and the brake lever 28 are attached to one end, and the middle grip 30 is attached to the other end. Further, a support portion 72a is formed on the frame portion in the vicinity of the middle grip 30 so as to extend outward from the U-shaped parallel portion at a right angle. Further, a reinforcing frame 72b is attached inside the U-shape.

  The two frames 16 and 72 are assembled together via a frame fixing body 34. The upper end of the main frame 16 is fixed to the frame fixing body 34 by welding or the like. On the other hand, in the upper middle frame 72, a support portion 72a is inserted into a through hole of the frame fixing body 34 so as to be slidable up and down, and is fastened and fixed by a lever 34a.

  The pair of frame bodies to which the rear wheels 22 are attached are disposed on the left and right sides of the front wheel side frame body 62. The vicinity of the S-shaped bent portion of the main frame 16 and the vicinity of the center of one side of the lower frame 38 on the lower frame 40 are attached to each other via the shaft member 46 and are folded in the front-rear direction with the shaft member 46 as a fulcrum. It is assembled as possible. Further, the connecting bar that connects the pair of left and right frame bodies of the rear wheel side frame body 64 may also serve as a connecting frame provided with the shaft member 46. At this time, the rear wheel side frame body 64 is provided to be rotatable while maintaining a symmetrical positional relationship.

  When the walking device 60 is placed so as to be usable, as shown in FIG. 3, the three pairs of grips are provided in the order of the upper grip 26, the middle grip 30, and the lower grip 38 from the highest one. , Both are directed to the rear of the walking device 60. Further, the lower frame 40 and the main frame 16 intersect with each other about the shaft member 46, and the lower surface of the horizontal portion of the lower frame 40 is supported by the stopper 24 attached to the main frame 16.

  Further, a stopper 74 is attached to the inner surface of the main frame 16 and slightly below the shaft member 46. The fastener is pivotally mounted so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the walking device 60 around the shaft portion 16b at one end. An engaging portion 74b formed at the other end of the stopper 74 is engaged with the hooking portion 40b of the lower frame 40, and assists in fixing the front wheel side frame body 62 and the rear wheel side frame body 64.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the walking device 60 adjusts the fixing position of the support portion 72 a inserted through the through hole of the frame fixing body 34, thereby adjusting the mounting height of the upper grip 26 and the middle grip 30. Can be adjusted. Further, the front wheel frame body 62 and the rear wheel frame body 64 can be folded back and forth with the shaft member 46 as a fulcrum. Further, in the folded state, the front wheel side frame body 62 and the rear wheel side frame body 64 are fixed in a folded state by engaging the engaging portion 74b of the stopper metal 74 with the hooking portion 40c of the lower frame 40. be able to.

  Next, a third embodiment of the walking device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the same components as those of the walking device 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the walking device 70 of the third embodiment, a seat seat 82 that is a cloth material such as a synthetic resin fiber is stretched over a horizontal portion of the lower frame 40 formed in the same manner as the walking device 10 to form a simple seat. doing. Therefore, for example, even when walking training is performed outdoors, it is possible to take a break at any time. In addition, since the configuration other than the seat portion seat 82 is the same as that of the walking device 10, it also has an effect as an auxiliary tool for the standing up operation.

  In addition, the connection bars 32, 42, and 44 prevent the user's knees, abdomen, and chest from falling in order to prevent an accident such as a person going too far forward and falling down with the walking equipment in a standing position or housework. It is good to be provided in the position which hits at least one. Furthermore, a cushioning material such as a sponge or a towel may be appropriately provided at the contact portion of these connecting bars 32, 42, and 44.

  Further, at least one of the connecting bars 32, 42, 44 may be provided at the position of the user's stool. Thereby, when a user takes a short rest etc., he can sit down easily.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The number of grips provided in the rear wheel side frame body 12 and the front wheel side frame body 14 can be freely set as long as the grips have a structure in which a total of three or more pairs are configured at different heights. Further, the height adjustment structure of each grip is not particularly limited, such as a structure in which each grip pair can be adjusted independently, or a structure in which the interval between specific grip pairs is fixed.

  In addition, the assembly structure of each frame body may be integrally formed from the beginning, other than the assembly by screwing, welding, press fitting, etc., as long as it does not hinder the grip height adjustment function, It can be selected as appropriate. Further, a brake lever may be provided on the middle grip and the lower grip to stop the rotation of the front wheels and the rear wheels during the rising operation.

  Moreover, the material of the frame, the seat portion, etc. may be any material as long as it has sufficient strength to hold the weight of the user, and it is free to use metals, synthetic resins, or combinations thereof. When using a metal material, it is preferable to reduce the weight by using a hollow structure such as a pipe structure.

  Furthermore, the shape of each grip should just be a shape and material which a user is moderately slippery and is easy to grip, and can select suitably the wood of gentle texture, the rubber | gum which was excellent in the anti-slip | skid effect, etc.

It is a perspective view of the walking implement of a first embodiment of this invention. It is a side view explaining operation | movement of 1st embodiment. It is a side view of the walking implement of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a side view explaining operation | movement of 2nd embodiment. It is a perspective view of the walking vehicle of 3rd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10, 60, 80 Walking device 12, 64 Rear wheel side frame body 14, 62 Front wheel side frame body 16 Main frame 18 Upper frame 20 Middle frame 22 Rear wheel 26 Upper grip 30 Middle grip 32 Upper connection bar 34 Frame fixed body 36 Front wheel 38 Lower grip 40 Lower frame 42 Middle connection bar 44 Front connection bar 46 Shaft member 72 Upper middle frame 72a Support portion

Claims (6)

In a walking apparatus provided with a front wheel side frame body constituted by a pair of frame bodies attached with front wheels and a rear wheel side frame body constituted by a pair of frame bodies attached with rear wheels,
The rear wheel side frame body is provided with a plurality of pairs of left and right grips that protrude at the rear wheel side at different heights.
The front wheel side frame body is provided with a pair of left and right grips at a relatively low position in the same protruding direction as the grip pair provided on the rear wheel side frame body, and the rear wheel side frame body and the front wheel The side frame body swings about a shaft member provided on the left and right sides as a rotation axis, and is pivotally attached to each other so as to be foldable in the front-rear direction .   The walking apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a connecting bar that connects a pair of frame bodies to which the front wheels are attached to the left and right ends; and a connecting bar that connects the pair of frame bodies to which the rear wheels are attached to the left and right ends. .   The walking device according to claim 2, wherein each of the connection bars is provided at a position corresponding to at least one of a user's knee, abdomen, and chest.   The walking device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the connection bars is provided at a position of a user's stool.   The walking device according to claim 1, wherein the grip is attached to at least an upper frame so that the height of the grip can be adjusted. The walking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a seat portion for seating is provided on a pair of left and right frame bodies of either the front wheel side frame body or the rear wheel frame body .

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