JP6006997B2 - Veterinary training equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an animal training apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus suitable for animal standing-up training and walking training.

  In recent years, animals such as dogs and cats kept as pets have long life due to advancement of medical care and improvement of breeding environment. On the other hand, with this long life, the number of animals (pets) that cannot stand or walk is increasing. For this reason, conventionally, training devices for performing animal standing-up training and walking training have been developed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a walking function recovery device for a pet that can perform a walking motion while reducing a load applied to the pet's foot.

JP 2010-17090 A

  In the pet walking function recovery device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pet suspended by a wire suspended from a rotating arm has a mast portion (which is rotatably provided on the base and coupled to the rotating arm). Walking training is performed while rotating around the center. In such an apparatus, for example, there is a possibility that a pet (for example, a dog or the like) may stray by walking in a free direction, and it is difficult to perform walking training safely.

  In consideration of such points and the like, the present applicant has developed, for example, an animal training apparatus capable of walking training without causing the animal to stray. In the development of such a device, for example, it has been required that the device be easy to use even for an assistant who performs animal training (for example, a veterinarian or a user of a device such as a therapist).

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide an animal training apparatus that is convenient for a user and suitable for animal standing-up training and walking training.

  In order to achieve the above object, an animal training apparatus according to the present invention includes a frame portion, a load relief mechanism that is attached to the frame portion and can reduce a load applied to the animal, a placement portion on which the animal is placed, It has a configuration (first configuration) including a mounting portion mounting mechanism for mounting the mounting portion to the frame portion so that an angle of the mounting portion with respect to the frame portion is variable.

  With this configuration, it is possible to place an animal on a mounting portion attached to the frame portion and perform standing training or the like while reducing the load on the animal. For this reason, according to the present configuration, for example, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a veterinarian or therapist who examines an animal is forced to take an unreasonable posture. Moreover, in this structure, since the mounting part can change an angle, the width | variety of the technique of animal standing-up training is expanded, for example.

  In the animal training apparatus having the first configuration, the configuration in which the mounting unit mounting mechanism is provided in the mounting unit and is detachable from the frame unit (second configuration) is preferable. According to this configuration, for example, the placement portion can be attached to or removed from the frame portion depending on the content of animal training, the size of the animal, and the like, which is convenient.

  In the animal training apparatus having the first or second configuration, the placement unit mounting mechanism is configured to be capable of adjusting a height position of the placement unit with respect to the frame unit (third configuration). Is preferred. According to this structure, it is easy to cope with a difference in the size of an animal and is convenient.

  In the animal training apparatus according to any one of the first to third configurations, the placement unit attachment mechanism is attached to the frame unit so as not to be relatively rotatable, and a support unit that supports the placement unit. A first member fixed to the mounting portion and attached to the support portion so as to be rotatable relative to the support portion; and spaced apart from the first member and fixed to the mounting portion. A configuration (fourth) that includes a second member that is mounted to be rotatable relative to the support portion, and an adjustment member that engages with the second member to adjust the inclination angle of the placement portion. The configuration may be According to this configuration, it is easy to obtain a configuration in which the mounting portion can be firmly fixed to the frame portion and the angle of the mounting portion can be easily switched to a desired angle.

  In the animal training device of the fourth configuration, a configuration (fifth configuration) may be employed in which the adjustment member includes a first adjustment member and a second adjustment member having different functions. . According to this configuration, it is easy to switch the angle of the mounting portion, and it is easy to obtain a configuration in which the mounting portion can be firmly fixed at a desired angle.

  In the animal training apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth configurations, the frame portion includes a pair of support portions, a beam portion connecting the upper portions of the pair of support portions, and a lower portion of the pair of support portions. It is preferable that it is a structure (6th structure) provided with the wheel provided in this. According to this configuration, when performing walking training while reducing the load on the animal, it is easy to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the animal strays.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is convenient for a user and can provide the training apparatus for animals suitable for the standing training of an animal, and walking training.

The schematic perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the training apparatus for animals which concerns on embodiment of this invention. In the animal training apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the figure when a table changes from the horizontal state to the state inclined. It is the expansion perspective view which expanded and showed the table attachment mechanism with which the animal training apparatus concerning the embodiment of the present invention is equipped, and its circumference, and is the figure in the case where a table is in a horizontal state It is the expansion perspective view which expanded and showed the table attachment mechanism with which the animal training apparatus concerning the embodiment of the present invention is equipped, and its circumference, and is the figure at the time of the table inclining from a horizontal state The enlarged perspective view which expanded and showed the periphery of the position where the table mounting mechanism is attached of the portal frame with which the training apparatus for animals concerning the embodiment of the present invention is provided. The figure which looked at the training apparatus for animals which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the front, and is a figure for demonstrating the usage example in the case of using an animal on a table The figure which looked at the training apparatus for animals which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the front, and is a figure for demonstrating the usage example in the state from which the table was removed

  Hereinafter, an animal training apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, although the animal used as the object of the animal training apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is a dog, a cat, a rabbit, etc., for example, it is not the meaning limited to them. The animal training apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is widely applicable to various animals. Moreover, as will become clear from the following contents, the animal training apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a wide range of sizes from small animals to large animals.

<Schematic configuration of animal training apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an external configuration of an animal training apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the animal training apparatus 1 includes a portal frame 10. This portal frame 10 is an example of a frame portion of the present invention. Specifically, the portal frame 10 includes a pair of support columns 11 and 11 and a beam 12 that connects the upper ends of the pair of support columns 11 and 11. A substantially rod-like base portion 11 a extending in the front-rear direction (arrow X direction) is formed at the lower end of each column portion 11. Two wheels 13 are attached to the lower side of each base part 11 a, and the portal frame 10 can be moved by these wheels 13.

  The portal frame 10 is provided with an unloading mechanism 20 that can reduce the load applied to the animal. The load relief mechanism 20 is an example of the load relief mechanism of the present invention, and the configuration thereof is not limited to the configuration described below, and may be changed as appropriate. The unloading mechanism 20 includes a wire 21, a plurality of rollers (not shown) provided inside the portal frame 10, a movable pulley 22 provided so as to be movable up and down, an unloading amount adjustment scale 23, a shock absorber 24, And an operation handle 25.

  One end side of the wire 21 hangs downward from the vicinity of the center of the beam portion 12 of the portal frame 10, and a connection fitting 21 a is attached to the tip thereof. The wire 21 extends from the one end side to the inside of the portal frame 10 and is wound around a plurality of rollers (not shown) inside the portal frame 10, so that one of the pair of column portions 11 and 11 is wound. The column 11 extends downward. The wire 21 that extends downward in one of the support columns 11 is wound around a moving pulley 22 and extends outward from the support column 11 upward. A wire 21 extending outward from the support column 11 upward is connected to an unloading amount adjustment scale 23 attached to the upper portion of the support column 11.

  In addition, the moving pulley 22 is provided so that raising / lowering is possible along the raising / lowering groove | channel 11b provided so that it may extend in the height direction of the support | pillar part 11. FIG. The moving pulley 22 is supported by a movable part (not shown) that can be moved up and down by operation (rotation) of the operation handle 25, and is integrated with the movable part by operation of the operation handle 25 along the lift groove 11b. Move up and down. As the moving pulley 22 moves up and down, the end portion (one end portion) of the wire 21 on the side where the connection fitting 21a is provided moves up and down, and the amount of reduction in the load applied to the animal held on the one end portion side of the wire 21 ) Can be adjusted. Since the unloading amount adjustment scale 23 can display the unloading amount to the outside, the user can adjust the unloading amount adjustment balance 23 to the target unloading amount by operating the operation handle 25. Note that the shock absorber 24 is provided so as to reduce the impact even when a large load is applied to the wire 21 during adjustment of the unloading amount.

  A table 50 (an example of a placement portion of the present invention) on which an animal is placed is attached to the portal frame 10. The attachment of the table 50 to the portal frame 10 is realized by a table attachment mechanism 60 (an example of the mounting portion attachment mechanism of the present invention) which will be described in detail later. As understood from a comparison between FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the table attachment mechanism 60 attaches the table 50 to the portal frame 10 so that the angle of the table 50 with respect to the portal frame 10 is variable. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in the case where the table 50 is changed from a horizontal state to a tilted state (a state tilted by 25 °) in the animal training apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  The table 50 is provided for the purpose of facilitating diagnosis by a veterinarian or a therapist by placing an animal requiring training such as standing training at a high position. The table 50 is preferably used mainly for small animals, and can be removed when the training apparatus 1 is not necessary, for example, when the training apparatus 1 is used for large animals.

<Details of table mounting mechanism>
Next, the table mounting mechanism 60 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference mainly to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the table mounting mechanism 60 and its periphery included in the animal training apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention in an enlarged manner, and is a view when the table 50 is in a horizontal state. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the table attachment mechanism 60 and its periphery provided in the animal training apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention in an enlarged manner, and is a view when the table 50 is inclined from a horizontal state. is there. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the portal frame 10 provided in the animal training apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the vicinity of the position where the table attachment mechanism 60 is attached is enlarged.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the table attachment mechanism 60 is provided on the lower side of the table 50 so as to be integrated with the table 50. The table mounting mechanism 60 includes a support base 61 (an example of a support portion according to the present invention) whose both ends are fixed to the support column 11 of the portal frame 10. The support base 61 has a structure in which T-shaped portions 61a and 61a that are substantially T-shaped when viewed from above are connected by two rod-shaped connecting portions 61b and 61b. The shape of the direction (corresponding to the left-right direction) has a symmetric (axisymmetric) relationship. A hook portion 61 c is provided at each end portion of the support base 61.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (see also FIG. 1), two pairs of fasteners 11c and 11c having a substantially U-shaped horizontal cross section are fixed to one side surface (rear surface in FIG. 1) of the column portion 11. . The height positions at which the pair of fasteners 11c and 11c are provided on the support column 11 are the same. The pair of fasteners 11c, 11c are provided in two sets apart in the height direction so that the height position of the table 50 attached to the portal frame 10 can be changed. Note that the number of the pair of fasteners 11c and 11c is not limited to two sets. The number may be one set or three or more. However, the number of the pair of fasteners 11c and 11c is preferably plural so that the height position of the table 50 can be changed.

  Each hook portion 61c provided on the support base 61 is hooked on each of the pair of fasteners 11c, 11c, and both ends of the support base 61 and each fastener 11c are screwed with screws 62, so that the table The attachment mechanism 60 is fixed to the portal frame 10. As is clear from this structure, the table 50 and the table mounting mechanism 60 can be attached to and detached from the portal frame 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the table mounting mechanism 60 includes a first member 63 having a substantially U-shape in plan view that is fixed to a substantially central portion of the lower surface of the table 50. The first member 63 has a pair of engaging protrusions 61d and 61d provided on one side (the front side in FIG. 1 and the rear side in FIG. 4) of the two connecting portions 61b and 61b (provided by the support base 61). The pair of shaft pins P and P are attached so as to be rotatable relative to each other. The first member 63 is an example of the first member of the present invention.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the table mounting mechanism 60 is a second U-shaped second member that is fixed to one end of the lower surface of the table 50 in the front-rear direction (X direction in FIG. 1 corresponds). A member 64 is provided. Note that the second member 64 is larger than the first member 63. Further, the two portions 64b and 64b protruding from the portion 64a fixed to the table 50 are not exactly straight, but are slightly bent and have a shape close to an arc shape. One of the two arcuate portions 64b and 64b is provided with a plurality of engagement holes 64c having a substantially circular shape in plan view at a predetermined interval. In addition, one of the two arcuate portions 64b and 64b is provided with one elongated hole 64d having a substantially arcuate shape in plan view.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the table mounting mechanism 60 includes two types of adjustment members 65 and 66 that engage with the second member 64. The first adjustment member 65 (an example of the first adjustment member of the present invention) is fixedly disposed on one side of the two T-shaped portions 61a and 61a. The first adjustment member 65 has an engaging convex portion (not shown) provided with a variable amount of protrusion on the tip side. This engagement convex part is provided so as to be able to protrude from the wall surface of the T-shaped part 61a, and can be fitted into the engagement hole 64c when the engagement hole 64c of the arcuate part 64b is arranged at the overlapping position. The first adjustment member 65 can be, for example, an index plunger. Further, instead of the engagement hole 64c, an engagement recess may be employed.

  The 2nd adjustment member 66 (an example of the 2nd adjustment member of this invention) is arrange | positioned at the other side of the two T-shaped parts 61a and 61a. The second adjustment member 66 includes a head portion 66a that functions as a handle and a pressing portion, and a shaft portion 66b that has a portion that protrudes from the head portion 66a and is screwed. The second adjustment member 66 can be screwed into a screw hole (not shown) provided in the T-shaped portion 61a in a state where the shaft portion 66b passes through a long hole 64d provided in the arc-shaped portion 64b. That is, the arc-shaped portion 64b (second member 64) can be fixed by the head 66a of the second adjustment member 66 and the wall surface of the T-shaped portion 61a.

  The engaging convex portion of the first adjusting member 65 is not fitted into the engaging hole 64c of the arc-shaped portion 64b, and the shaft portion 66b of the second adjusting member 66 is screwed to the T-shaped portion 61a. If not, the second member 64 can rotate relative to the support base 61. That is, the second member 64 is an example of the second member of the present invention. In other words, when the first adjustment member 65 and the second adjustment member 66 are in the above state, the table 50 can rotate around the pair of shaft pins P and P, and the angle of the table 30 Can be changed.

  Here, in order to deepen the understanding of the table mounting mechanism 60, a user (for example, a therapist) tilts the table 50 from a horizontally fixed state (the state of FIGS. 1 and 3) (FIG. 2 and FIG. 2). An example of operation when changing to the state shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

  First, the user sets the shaft portion 66b of the second adjustment member 66 not screwed to the T-shaped portion 61a. Then, the user sets the engagement convex portion of the first adjustment member 65 in a state where the engagement projection is removed from the engagement hole 64c. At this time, the user operates the first adjustment member 65 with the other hand while supporting the table 50 with the other hand. When the two adjustment members 65 and 66 are in the above-described state, the user can rotate the table 50 by applying a force in the rotation direction to the table 50 with one hand that supports the table 50. In the present embodiment, since there are a plurality of engagement holes 64c provided in the arc-shaped portion 64b, the user engages with the first adjustment member 65 so that the table 50 has a desired angle. The engagement hole 64c is determined. Thereafter, the user engages the engagement convex portion of the first adjustment member 65 and the engagement hole 64c in accordance with the previous determination, and performs screwing of the second adjustment member 66. When the first adjustment member 65 is engaged with the second member 64, the rotation of the table 50 is restricted. Therefore, the user releases the hand holding the table 50, and the second adjustment member 66 is moved. Can be operated. Thereby, the user can make the table 50 incline from the horizontal state.

  In the present embodiment, two types of adjustment members 65 and 66 are used when constructing a mechanism that enables the angle adjustment of the table 50. However, this configuration is merely an example, and the angle of the table 50 can be adjusted using only one type of adjustment member (for example, only the first adjustment member 65 or only the second adjustment member 66). You may build a mechanism. However, the configuration as in the present embodiment has the advantage that the workability can be improved and the occurrence of an unexpected situation in which the fixed state of the table 50 is unintentionally released is less likely to occur.

<Examples of using animal training equipment>
Next, the usage example of the animal training apparatus 1 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.

  FIG. 6 is a view of the animal training apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front, and is a view for explaining an example of use when the animal A is placed on the table 50 and used. The harness 30 is attached to the animal A placed on the table 50 so that an unnecessary load of the animal A is not applied. The harness 30 is provided with a plurality of connecting fittings (not shown). Each of these connection fittings is connected to a connection band 41 (plural) provided in the support bar 40 attached to the connection fitting 21 a of the wire 21.

  In this state, when the operation handle 25 is operated (rotated) to move the moving pulley 22 up and down, the support bar 40 moves up and down, and the load applied to the animal A can be increased or decreased. When the moving pulley 22 is raised, the support bar 40 is lowered to reduce the amount of unloading. Further, when the moving pulley 22 is lowered, the support bar 40 is raised and the amount of unloading is increased. The user can adjust the unloading amount by operating the operation handle 25 while viewing the unloading amount measured by the unloading amount adjusting balance 23. That is, for example, the standing training of the animal A with weak legs can be performed while appropriately determining the burden on the animal A by adjusting the unloading amount.

  In the animal training apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the above-described training can be performed on the table 50 attached to the portal frame 10. In particular, in the case of a small animal, if there is no such table 50, a veterinarian or a therapist may need to examine the animal in an unreasonable posture. Such a situation is unlikely to occur. Further, the tilt of the table 50 can be changed by the presence of the table mounting mechanism 60 configured as described above. For this reason, it can be expected that medical examination by a veterinarian or the like becomes easy. Furthermore, by adjusting the angle of the table 50, for example, training of one of the front and rear paws of the animal A can be performed with priority.

  Further, as described above, the height position of the table 50 is variable. For this reason, the height position of the table 50 can be changed according to the size of the animal A. That is, the animal training apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can easily cope with the difference in the size of the animal A.

  Moreover, in the animal training apparatus 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the table 50 can be removed and used. In this case, animal A is placed on floor F. In this case, the intermediate wire 26 may be disposed between the connection fitting 21a of the wire 21 and the support bar 40 as necessary.

  In the state shown in FIG. 7, the walking training of the animal A can be performed by moving the portal frame 10 using the wheel 13 while reducing the load applied to the animal A. A user such as a therapist moves the portal frame 10 in the same direction in conjunction with the walking of the animal A, so that the animal A uses the pair of column portions 11 of the portal frame 10 as a guide (in other words, It is possible to walk (suppressing straying).

  Alternatively, the lateral movement correction bar 27 may be attached to each column portion 11 of the portal frame 10 and the lateral movement correction bar 27 and the harness 30 may be coupled by a coupling band 27a (see FIG. 7). When a user such as a therapist moves the portal frame 10 in the same direction in conjunction with the walking of the animal A, the animal A changes the direction of the body while walking, twists the body, etc., and adversely affects the training. There is a risk of giving. In this regard, when the lateral movement correction bar 27 attached to each column portion 11 of the portal frame 10 and the harness 30 are connected by the connecting band 27a, the direction and posture of the animal A can be regulated. Can be expected to train effectively. The lateral movement correction bar 27 may not be used. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the lateral movement correction bar 27 may be used when the animal A is erected on the table 50.

<Others>
The embodiment described above is an exemplification of the present invention, and the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above. The embodiment described above can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, when changing the height position of the table 50, it is necessary to remove the table 50 from the portal frame 10 once. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, for example, a configuration in which the height position of the table 50 can be changed while the table 50 is slid in the vertical direction by changing the configuration of the table mounting mechanism 60 and / or the support column 11 may be adopted.

  Further, instead of the table 50 in the above-described embodiment, a mounting table whose mounting surface moves electrically (having a function as a so-called treadmill) may be attached to the portal frame 10.

1 Animal training device 10 Portal frame (frame part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Support | pillar part 12 Beam part 13 Wheel 20 Unloading mechanism 50 Table (mounting part)
60 Table mounting mechanism (mounting part mounting mechanism)
61 Support stand (support part)
63 first member 64 second member 65 first adjustment member 66 second adjustment member

Claims (5)

A frame part;
An unloading mechanism attached to the frame part and capable of reducing the load applied to the animal;
A placement section for placing animals;
A mounting portion mounting mechanism for mounting the mounting portion to the frame portion so that an angle of the mounting portion with respect to the frame portion is variable;
Equipped with a,
The animal training apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the placement unit mounting mechanism is provided in the placement unit and is detachable from the frame unit . The placement section attachment mechanism, animal training device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustably mounted the height position of the mounting section relative to the frame portion. The mounting part mounting mechanism described above is
A support portion that is attached to the frame portion so as not to rotate relative to the frame portion, and supports the placement portion;
A first member fixed to the mounting portion and attached to the support portion in a relatively rotatable manner;
A second member that is spaced apart from the first member and fixed to the mounting portion, and is attached to the support portion so as to be relatively rotatable;
An adjustment member that engages with the second member to enable adjustment of the inclination angle of the mounting portion;
Animal training device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a. Wherein the adjustment member includes two types of first adjusting member and the second adjusting member,
The first adjustment member has an engagement protrusion that is provided with a variable amount of protrusion and engages with the second member;
4. The animal training apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the second adjustment member has a shaft portion that has a threaded portion and engages with the second member . The frame part is
A pair of struts;
A beam portion connecting the upper portions of the pair of strut portions;
Wheels provided at the lower part of the pair of struts;
Animal training device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a.

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