JP7397912B2 - mobility aids - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a movement support device including a telescopic fixture.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-188664 discloses a wheelchair equipped with a footrest. This footrest supports the feet of a user sitting in a wheelchair. This footrest is attached to the leg post. This leg post is passed through the leg pipe. By changing the fixed position of the leg post in the axial direction of the leg pipe, the height position of the footrest is adjusted. The height of this footrest can be adjusted by simply tightening the bolts. In this wheelchair, the height of the footrest can be adjusted according to the user's body shape.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-118145 also discloses a wheelchair equipped with a footrest. This footrest is attached to a bracket rod. This bracket rod is slidably passed through the step mounting portion. The height position of the footrest can be adjusted by changing the fixed position of the bracket rod in the step attachment part. In this footrest, the fixing position of the bracket rod can be changed by passing the pin attached to the step attachment part through the hole in the bracket rod. The height of the footrest of this wheelchair can also be adjusted to suit the user's body shape.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-188664 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-118145

In the wheelchair disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-188664, a tool for loosening and tightening bolts is used to adjust the height position of the footrest. This wheelchair requires tools to adjust the height position. On the other hand, in the wheelchair disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-118145, in order to adjust the height position of the footrest, it is necessary to insert a pin into the hole of the bracket rod. It is not easy to match the position of this pin with the position of the hole. Further, operating the pin is difficult for users who have difficulty applying force to their fingertips. In particular, wheelchairs are often used by disabled people, elderly people, injured people, and the like. Adjusting the height position is not easy for such users.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobility support device that includes an extendable fixture whose length can be easily adjusted.

The movement support tool according to the present invention includes an extensible fixture that positions and fixes an axially movable rod body to one end of the hollow pipe with respect to the hollow pipe. In this movement support tool, the telescopic fixture includes a fixing member fixed to the hollow pipe, and a rotating member that engages with the fixing member by rotating an axial direction of the rod about a rotation axis. There is. The rotating member includes a rotating member through-hole through which the rod is passed, and a pressing portion. The fixing member includes a fixing member through hole through which the rod is passed, and a first abutting portion that protrudes in the axial direction from one end of the hollow pipe when attached to the hollow pipe. The rotating member is configured to rotate in an axial direction about a rotation axis, and the rotating member engages with the fixed member, so that the pressing portion directly or indirectly presses the first contact portion. There is. The first contact portion pressed by the pressing portion is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the rod.

Preferably, this movement support tool includes a second abutting member disposed between the rod and the rotating member. The second contact member has a cylindrical shape. The second abutment member includes a notch extending in the axial direction. The rotating member is configured to rotate in an axial direction about a rotation axis, and the rotating member engages with the fixed member, so that the pressing portion directly or indirectly presses the second abutting member. There is. The second contact member pressed by the pressing portion is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the rod.

Another movement support tool according to the present invention includes an extensible fixture that positions and fixes an axially movable rod at one end of a hollow pipe with respect to the hollow pipe. In this movement support tool, the telescopic fixture includes a fixing member fixed to the hollow pipe, a rotating member that engages with the fixing member by rotating an axial direction of the rod about a rotation axis, and and a second abutting member disposed between the body and the rotating member. The rotating member includes a rotating member through-hole through which the rod is passed, and a pressing portion. The second contact member has a cylindrical shape. The second abutment member includes a notch extending in the axial direction. The rotating member is configured to rotate in an axial direction about a rotation axis, and the rotating member engages with the fixed member, so that the pressing portion directly or indirectly presses the second abutting member. There is. The second contact member pressed by the pressing portion is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the rod.

Preferably, this movement support tool includes a spacer arranged between the rod and the rotating member. The pressing portion is configured to press the first contact portion via the spacer when the rotating member rotates in the axial direction about the rotation axis and the rotating member engages with the fixed member. ing.

Preferably, this movement support tool includes a spacer arranged between the rod and the rotating member. The rotating member is configured to rotate in an axial direction about a rotation axis and engage the fixed member, so that the pressing portion presses the second abutting member via the spacer. ing.

Preferably, the rod includes a positioning groove formed on the outer circumferential surface and extending in the circumferential direction. The first contact portion includes a positioning convex portion that protrudes radially inward. In a state in which the pressing portion presses the first contact portion, the positioning convex portion is engaged with the positioning groove.

Preferably, the rod includes a positioning groove formed on the outer circumferential surface and extending in the circumferential direction. The second abutment member includes a positioning convex portion that protrudes radially inward. In a state in which the pressing portion presses the second contact member, the positioning convex portion is engaged with the positioning groove.

Preferably, the movement support tool includes a rotation suppressing member. The rotation suppressing member suppresses rotation of the rotating member in a direction in which the engagement between the rotating member and the fixed member is loosened.

Preferably, the rotation suppressing member is attached to the fixing member. The rotation suppressing member includes an engagement pin and an elastic body that biases the engagement pin in a direction in which the tip thereof protrudes. The fixing member includes a stopper that restricts the engagement pin from moving in a protruding direction. The rotating member includes an engagement recess. The engagement recess includes an engagement tapered surface that becomes deeper from the rear toward the front in the rotational direction in which the rotating member is engaged with the fixed member. In a state where the rod is fixed to the hollow pipe, the length Lp below the neck of the engagement pin is larger than the distance Dt from the stopper of the fixing member to the end surface of the rotating member.

Preferably, in a state in which the rod is fixed to the hollow pipe, the length Lp below the neck of the engagement pin is equal to the distance Db from the stopper of the fixing member to the bottom surface of the engagement recess of the rotating member. It has been made smaller.

Preferably, the telescopic fixture used in this movement support tool positions and fixes a rod body inserted into one end of a hollow pipe so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the hollow pipe.
This telescopic fixture includes a fixing member fixed to the hollow pipe, and a rotating member screwed into the fixing member.
The fixing member includes a fixing member through-hole through which the rod is passed, a male threaded portion formed with a male thread, and a first part that protrudes in the axial direction from one end of the hollow pipe when attached to the hollow pipe. It is equipped with a connecting part. The first contact portion includes a first outer tapered surface that is formed on the outer circumferential surface and extends in a direction away from the hollow pipe from the outside in the radial direction of the hollow pipe to the inside, and a first outer tapered surface that extends in the axial direction and extends toward the tip. It has a notch that opens.
The rotating member has an end face facing the fixed member, a rotating member through hole through which the rod is passed, a female thread formed on the inner circumferential surface and screwed into the male thread, and a female thread formed on the inner circumferential surface. A pressing part is provided.
By screwing the female thread of the rotating member to the male thread of the fixed member, the pressing portion directly or indirectly presses the first outer tapered surface, and the first contact portion of the rod body Pressed against the outer surface.

Preferably, this telescopic fixture includes a second abutting member cut out from one axial end of a cylindrical shape to the other end, and a cylindrical spacer.
The second contact member includes a second outer tapered surface formed on the outer circumferential surface and extending radially from the outer side to the inner side with respect to the axial direction, and a positioning convex portion protruding from the inner circumferential surface. .
The rod includes a positioning groove formed on the outer circumferential surface and extending in the circumferential direction.
With the rod passed through the rotating member, the second abutting member, the spacer, and the fixing member in this order, the female thread of the rotating member is screwed into the male thread of the fixing member,
The pressing portion directly or indirectly presses the second outer tapered surface so that the positioning convex portion engages with the positioning groove, and the spacer presses the first outer tapered surface to engage the positioning groove. A first contact portion is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the rod.

Preferably, the telescoping fixture includes a rotation restraining member. The rotation suppressing member is attached to the fixing member. In a state where the male threaded portion of the fixed member and the female threaded portion of the rotating member are screwed together, the rotation suppressing member engages with the rotating member to suppress rotation of the rotating member.

Preferably, the rotation suppressing member includes an engagement pin and an elastic body that biases the engagement pin in a direction in which a tip thereof protrudes. The fixing member includes a stopper that restricts the engagement pin from moving in a protruding direction. The rotating member includes an engagement recess. The engagement recess includes an engagement tapered surface that becomes deeper from the rear toward the front in the rotational direction in which the rotating member is screwed into the fixed member. In a state where the rod is fixed to the hollow pipe, the length Lp below the neck of the engagement pin is larger than the distance Dt from the stopper of the fixing member to the end surface of the rotating member.

Preferably, in a state in which the rod is fixed to the hollow pipe, the length Lp below the neck of the engagement pin is equal to the distance Db from the stopper of the fixing member to the bottom surface of the engagement recess of the rotating member. It has been made smaller.

Preferably, the hollow pipe is one of a footrest pipe and a step post of a wheelchair, and the rod is the other.

In this telescopic fixture of the movement support tool, the rotating member is rotated by the fixed member by grasping the rotating member by hand. Due to this rotation, the pressing portion of the rotating member directly or indirectly presses at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact member against the outer circumferential surface of the rod. This positions the rod relative to the hollow pipe. With this telescopic fixture, there is no need to insert or remove pins with your fingertips to adjust the length or height. No tools are required with this telescoping fixture. With this telescopic fixture, the length and height can be easily adjusted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheelchair, which is a mobility support device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the side frame and arm support of the wheelchair shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the telescopic fixture of the wheelchair shown in FIG. 1 and its surroundings. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the step post of the wheelchair shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a fixing member of the telescopic fixture shown in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a rotating member of the telescopic fixture shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating member of FIG. 6 along the axis. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the second abutting member of the telescopic fixture of FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing the telescopic fixture of FIG. 3 in use. FIG. 10(a) is a partial sectional view showing another usage state of the telescoping fixture of FIG. 3, and FIG. 10(b) is a partial sectional view showing still another usage state. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the folding connector of the wheelchair shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 12(a) is a sectional view showing the back-folding connector in FIG. 11 in a usage state, and FIG. 12(b) is a sectional view showing the back-breaking connector in FIG. 11 in another usage state. be. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a part of the back-folding connector and rear arm support of the wheelchair shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a telescopic fixture for a wheelchair according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a partially exploded view of a telescopic fixture for a wheelchair and its surroundings according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments, with appropriate reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a wheelchair 1 that is an example of a mobility support device according to the present invention. This wheelchair 1 includes a pair of side frames 2, a pair of arm supports 3, a cross frame 4, a pair of foot leg supports 5, a pair of front wheels 6, a pair of rear wheels 7, a seat seat 8, a back seat 9, and a brake device 10. It is equipped with Arrow X in FIG. 1 represents the forward direction of the wheelchair 1 in the front-rear direction. Arrow Y represents the leftward direction of the wheelchair 1 in the left-right direction. Arrow Z indicates the upward direction of the wheelchair 1 in the vertical direction.

The cross frame 4 connects the pair of side frames 2. The cross frame 4 includes a pair of seat pipes 4a and a pair of cross members 4b. The pair of seat pipes 4a extend in the front-rear direction along the left and right side frames 2. The cross member pair 4b consists of a cross member 4c and a cross member 4d. The center portion of this cross member 4c and the center portion of the cross member 4d are pivotally connected. The upper end of the cross member 4c is fixed to the left seat pipe 4a. The lower end of the cross member 4c is pivoted to the right side frame 2. The upper end of the cross member 4d is fixed to the right seat pipe 4a. The lower end of the cross member 4d is pivoted to the left side frame 2.

By rotating this pair of cross members 4b, the interval between the pair of side frames 2 can be changed. This cross frame 4 allows the total width of the wheelchair 1 to be changed. The posture of this wheelchair 1 can be changed between a usage posture shown in FIG. 1 in which the user is seated, and a folded posture in which the left and right side frames 2 are brought closer to each other.

Each front wheel 6 includes a caster body 6a, a wheel 6b, and a caster support 6c. The caster support 6c is fixed to the front lower part of the side frame 2. The caster main body 6a is rotatably supported by a caster support 6c with the vertical direction as a rotation axis. The wheels 6b are rotatably supported by the caster body 6a.

The seat 8 is spanned over a pair of seat pipes 4a. The seat 8 supports the buttocks of a user seated on the wheelchair 1. The back seat 9 spans the pair of side frames 2 behind and above the seat seat 8. The back seat 9 supports the back of a seated user.

The brake device 10 includes a brake body (not shown), a brake lever 10a, and a brake wire 10b. The brake body is attached to the rear wheel 7. The brake body has a function of braking the rotation of the rear wheel 7. The brake wire 10b connects the brake body and the brake lever 10a. The brake lever 10a is attached to the side frame 2. When the brake lever 10a is gripped, the brake body brakes the rotation of the rear wheel 7 via the brake wire 10b. By ceasing to hold the brake lever 10a, the brake body releases the braking of the rotation of the rear wheel 7. Examples of this brake body include a drum brake, a disc brake, and a band brake.

FIG. 2 shows the side frame 2, arm support 3 and foot leg support 5 located on the right side. Here, a description will be given of the side frame 2, arm support 3, and foot leg support 5 located on the right side, but each of the side frames 2, arm support 3, and foot leg support 5 located on the left side are also configured in the same manner and are substantially symmetrical.

This side frame 2 includes a base pipe 12, a seat side pipe 13, a front pipe 14, a rear wheel mounting part 15, a lower back pipe 16, an upper back pipe 17, a back bending connector 18, a cross frame mounting part 19, and a front seat support 20. and a rear seat support 21. The arm support 3 includes an arm pipe 22, a front arm support 23, and a rear arm support 24. The foot leg support 5 includes a leg pipe 25 as a hollow pipe, a leg post 26 as a rod, a footrest 27, and an extendable fixture 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base pipe 12 of the side frame 2 is located below the side frame 2 and extends in the front-rear direction. The base pipe 12 extends from the front pipe 14 to the rear wheel mounting portion 15. A cross frame attachment portion 19 is attached to the base pipe 12. This cross frame attachment portion 19 rotatably supports the lower end portion of the cross member 4c (see FIG. 1). The cross frame attachment portion 19 of the side frame 2 located on the left side (not shown) rotatably supports the lower end portion of the cross member 4d (see FIG. 1).

The seat side pipe 13 is located above the base pipe 12 and extends in the front-rear direction. The seat side pipe 13 extends from the front pipe 14 to the rear wheel mounting portion 15. A front seat support 20 and a rear seat support 21 are attached to this seat side pipe 13. The rear seat support 21 is located behind the front seat support 20.

The right seat pipe 4a is removably supported by the front seat support 20 and the rear seat support 21. The left seat pipe 4a is removably supported by a front seat support 20 and a rear seat support 21 (not shown) attached to the left seat side pipe 13. Thereby, the cross frame 4 connects the pair of side frames 2.

The front pipe 14 is located on the front side of the side frame 2. The front pipe 14 extends in the vertical direction. The front pipe 14 is connected to the front end of the base pipe 12 and the front end of the seat side pipe 13.

The rear wheel mounting portion 15 is located on the rear side of the side frame 2. The rear wheel mounting portion 15 extends in the vertical direction. The rear wheel mounting portion 15 is connected to the rear end of the base pipe 12 and the rear end of the seat side pipe 13. The rear wheel 7 is attached to this rear wheel attachment portion 15 .

Each of the lower back pipes 16 extends upward from the upper end of the rear wheel mounting portion 15. The lower back pipe 16 may extend upward from the rear end of the seat side pipe 13. This lower back pipe 16 extends from the bottom to the top and from the front to the rear at an angle.

Each upper back pipe 17 is located above the lower back pipe 16. The back pipe 17 includes a first back pipe 29 as a hollow pipe, a second back pipe 30 as a rod, a handle attachment part 31, a telescopic fixture 28, and a handle 33. The first back pipe 29 is located below the second back pipe 30. The second upper back pipe 30 is attached to the first upper back pipe 29 by a telescopic fixture 28. The handle attachment portion 31 extends rearward from the upper end of the second back pipe 30. A handle 33 is fixed to this handle attachment portion 31. This handle 33 is held by a caregiver standing behind the wheelchair 1.

The back bending connector 18 is located between the lower back pipe 16 and the upper back pipe 17. The back bending connector 18 connects the lower back pipe 16 and the upper back pipe 17. The back bending connector 18 allows the upper back pipe 17 to rotate with respect to the lower back pipe 16 with the left and right direction as a rotation axis.

As shown in FIG. 2, the arm pipe 22 of the arm support 3 includes a main portion 22a extending in the front-rear direction and a front end portion 22b extending in the up-down direction. The forearm support 23 is attached to the front pipe 14. The rear arm support 24 is attached to the lower back pipe 16. The arm pipe 22 is attached to the side frame 2 by a front arm support 23 and a rear arm support 24. The main portion 22a of the arm pipe 22 attached to the side frame 2 is located above the seat side pipe 13 and extends in the front-rear direction.

The forearm support 23 is attached to the front pipe 14. The front end 22b of the arm pipe 22 is inserted into the bottomed insertion hole 23a of the forearm support 23. A set screw is screwed into the forearm support 23. This set screw is pressed against the front end portion 22b, and the tip end portion 22b is prevented from coming out from the insertion hole 23a. In this way, the front end 22b of the arm pipe 22 is detachably attached to the front pipe 14. The front end portion 22b of the arm pipe 22 may be detachably attached to the seat side pipe 13.

The rear arm support 24 includes a mounting portion 24a, a support portion 24b, and a connecting portion 24c. The attachment portion 24a is attached to the lower back pipe 16. The arm pipe 22 is attached to the support portion 24b. The connecting portion 24c is located between the attachment portion 24a and the support portion 24b, and connects the attachment portion 24a and the support portion 24b. The connecting portion 24c extends from the bottom to the top, slanting from the inside to the outside in the left-right direction. As a result, the support portion 24b is located above and on the outside in the left-right direction with respect to the attachment portion 24a. This attachment portion 24a is attached to the lower back pipe 16. The main portion 22a of the arm pipe 22 is detachably attached to the support portion 24b. This arm support 3 is detachably attached to the side frame 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the leg pipe 25 of the foot leg support 5 is located in front of the front pipe 14. Footrest 27 is attached to leg post 26. The leg post 26 is attached to the leg pipe 25 by a telescopic fixture 28.

This leg pipe 25 includes an upper end portion 25a, a middle portion 25b, a lower end portion 25c, and a support portion 25d. The upper end portion 25a extends forward from the front end of the seat side pipe 13. The intermediate portion 25b extends from the front end of the upper end portion 25a from above to below and extends from the rear to the front. The lower end portion 25c extends downward from the lower end of the intermediate portion 25b. The support portion 25d extends from the front end of the base pipe 12 to the lower end portion 25c.

As shown in FIG. 3, a through hole 34 is formed in the lower end portion 25c of the leg pipe 25. This leg pipe 25 is made of a hollow pipe. This leg pipe 25 is provided with a hole extending in its axial direction. This hole is surrounded by a circular inner peripheral surface in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the lower end portion 25c. The through hole 34 crosses this hole and penetrates the lower end portion 25c.

A dashed-dotted line L1 in FIG. 3 represents the axis of the telescopic fixture 28. This axis L1 is also the axis of the lower end 25c of the leg pipe 25 and the axis of the leg post 26. The extensible fixture 28 includes a fixing member 35, a rotating member 36, a second abutting member 37, a spacer 38, and an engagement pin 39. Furthermore, although not shown in FIG. 3, the extensible fixture 28 includes a coil spring 40 as an elastic body (see FIG. 9). This fixing member 35 is attached to the lower end portion 25c of the leg pipe 25 by a fixing shaft 201 passed through the through hole 34.

In this telescopic fixture 28, the axis of the lower end portion 25c of the leg pipe 25 and the axis of the leg post 26 are located on the axis L1, but the invention is not limited thereto. The axis of the leg post 26 may be shifted in the radial direction of the leg pipe 25 or may be inclined with respect to the axis of the lower end portion 25c.

As shown in FIG. 4, the leg post 26 includes an insertion portion 41. As shown in FIG. This insertion portion 41 is a portion inserted into a hole extending in the axial direction of the leg pipe 25. This insertion portion 41 includes an outer circumferential surface 42 . A slide groove 43, a positioning groove 44, and a long hole 45 are formed in this outer peripheral surface 42. This outer circumferential surface 42 has a circular contour in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction unless the slide groove 43, positioning groove 44, and long hole 45 are formed. The slide groove 43 extends in the axial direction. The positioning groove 44 extends in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface 42. This positioning groove 44 goes around the circumferential direction. A plurality of positioning grooves 44 are formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. The elongated hole 45 passes through the insertion portion 41 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion portion 41, with the axial direction being the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing member 35 of the telescopic fixture 28 includes a head 46, a male threaded portion 47, and a first contact portion 48. In the axial direction of the telescopic fixture 28, the head 46 is located on one side of the male threaded portion 47, and the first contact portion 48 is located on the other side of the male threaded portion 47.

A large diameter hole 49 with a bottom is formed in the axial end surface 46a of the head 46 along the axial direction. Furthermore, the fixing member 35 includes a small diameter hole 50 as a fixing member through hole. The small diameter hole 50 is formed along the axial direction from the end surface 48a of the first contact portion 48 to the bottom surface 49a of the large diameter hole 49. A pair of engagement protrusions 52 that protrude radially inward are formed on the inner peripheral surface 51 of the small diameter hole 50 .

A pin hole 53 passing through the head 46 is formed in the head 46 . This pin hole 53 is located radially outward from the large diameter hole 49. The axis of the pin hole 53 is parallel to the axis L1. The head 46 is provided with an end surface 54 as a stopper at one open end of the pin hole 53. This end surface 54 is a plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the pin hole 53. Furthermore, a through hole 35a extending in the radial direction of the large diameter hole 49 is formed in the head 46 (see FIG. 3).

A male thread 55 is formed in the male thread portion 47 . The first contact portion 48 is formed with a first outer tapered surface 56 that extends in the axial direction from the end surface 48a of the first contact portion 48 toward the externally threaded portion 47 in an inclined manner from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction. There is. A plurality of notches 57 extending in the axial direction are formed in the first contact portion 48 . These notches 57 are lined up in the circumferential direction. Each notch 57 penetrates from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the first contact portion 48 . This notch 57 opens at the end surface 48a as the tip of the first contact portion 48.

As shown in FIG. 6, the rotating member 36 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a fixing member through hole 36a formed therethrough extending in the axial direction. The rotating member 36 includes an outer circumferential surface 58, an inner circumferential surface 59, and an end surface 60. This outer circumferential surface 58 has a large number of recesses 61 arranged in the circumferential direction. The recesses 61 form irregularities on the outer circumferential surface 58. The end surface 60 is a surface facing the head 46 of the fixing member 35 in the axial direction. A plurality of engagement recesses 63 arranged in the circumferential direction are formed in this end surface 60. The engagement recess 63 includes an engagement tapered surface 64 that becomes deeper from one circumferential direction of the rotating member 36 to the other, and an engagement tapered surface 65 that becomes shallower.

As shown in FIG. 7, the inner circumferential surface 59 of the rotating member 36 is formed with a female thread 66 and a tapered surface 67 as a pressing portion. Note that in FIG. 6 shown earlier, the female thread 66 on the inner circumferential surface 59 is omitted. The female thread 66 is threadedly engaged with the male thread 55 of the fixing member 35. The female thread 66 is formed on the end surface 60 side in the axial direction. The tapered surface 67 is formed farther from the end surface 60 than the female thread 66 is. The tapered surface 67 is inclined from the outside in the radial direction to the inside in a direction away from the end surface 60.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second abutting member 37 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a notch extending in the axial direction. The axial direction here is not limited to a direction parallel to the axis, but also includes a direction oblique to the axial direction. The second contact member 37 has a C-shaped cross section perpendicular to the axial direction. The second contact member 37 includes an end surface 37a, an outer circumferential surface 37b, and an inner circumferential surface 37c. This end surface 37a is a surface that faces the head 46 of the fixed member 35 when assembled between the fixed member 35 and the rotating member 36. A tapered surface 69 as a second outer tapered surface is formed on this outer peripheral surface 37b. This tapered surface 69 extends in a direction away from the end surface 37a in the axial direction, with an inclination from the outside in the radial direction to the inside. A striped convex portion 71 as a positioning convex portion is formed on the inner circumferential surface 37c. This linear convex portion 71 extends in the circumferential direction.

The notch of the second abutting member 37 only needs to be able to reduce the diameter of the second abutting member 37, and the notch is limited to one that extends from the end surface 37a to the other end surface in the axial direction. do not have. This notch does not need to be open at the end surface 37a but not at the other end surface. This notch may not open to the end face 37a but may open to the other end face. Furthermore, this notch does not need to be open to the outer circumferential surface 37b and not to the end face 37 or the other end face.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the engagement pin 39 of FIG. 3 is attached to the head 46 of the fixing member 35. In FIG. 9, the rotating member 36 is screwed into the fixed member 35. In other words, the rotating member 36 is engaged with the fixed member 35. FIG. 9 shows the positional relationship between the fixed member 35 and the rotating member 36 in a state where the leg post 26 is fixed to the leg pipe 25.

The engagement pin 39 includes a head 39a, a lower neck 39b, a tip 39c, and a nut 39d. A male thread 39e is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower neck portion 39b. This engagement pin 39 is inserted into the pin hole 53 of the head 46. A tip 39c of the engagement pin 39 projects from the head 46 toward the end surface 60 of the rotating member 36. The coil spring 40 is inserted into the pin hole 53. A nut 39d is screwed onto the male thread 39e of the engagement pin 39 to prevent the coil spring 40 from coming off. The coil spring 40 biases the engagement pin 39 in a direction in which the tip 39c of the engagement pin 39 protrudes from the head 46. The head 39a of the engagement pin 39 is in contact with the end surface 54. This end surface 54 functions as a stopper for the biased engagement pin 39. The distal end 39c of the engagement pin 39 is inserted into the engagement recess 63.

The double-headed arrow Lp in FIG. 9 represents the subcervical length of the engagement pin 39. This subcervical length Lp is measured as the length from the end surface of the head 39a to the tip 39c. The double-headed arrow Dt represents the axial distance from the end surface 54 of the fixed member 35 to the end surface 60 of the rotating member 36. The double-headed arrow Db represents the axial distance from the end surface 54 of the fixed member 35 to the bottom surface 63a of the engagement recess 63 of the rotating member 36. In the state of FIG. 9, the length Lp below the neck is larger than the distance Dt. In this state, the length Lp below the neck is smaller than the distance Db.

As shown in FIG. 3, the spacer 38 has a cylindrical shape. The spacer 38 is located between the fixing member 35 and the second abutting member 37 in the axial direction.

The lower end portion 25c of the leg pipe 25 is inserted into the large diameter hole 49 of the fixing member 35. The fixed shaft 201 is passed through the through hole 35a of the fixed member 35 and the through hole 34 of the lower end portion 25c. The fixing shaft 201 fixes the fixing member 35 to the leg pipe 25.

The insertion portion 41 of the leg post 26 is passed through the rotating member 36 with the end surface 60 facing the fixed member 35 side. Further, the insertion portion 41 is passed through the second abutting member 37 in a posture with the tapered surface 69 facing the rotating member 36 side. Furthermore, the insertion portion 41 is passed through the spacer 38. Furthermore, this insertion portion 41 is passed through the small diameter hole 50 of the fixing member 35. Furthermore, this insertion portion 41 is inserted into the leg pipe 25. The outer peripheral surface 42 of the insertion part 41 is slidably inserted into the inner peripheral surface forming the hole of the leg pipe 25.

The fixed shaft 201 is passed through the elongated hole 45 of the insertion portion 41. Thereby, this leg post 26 is slidably inserted into the leg pipe 25 and is prevented from coming off from the leg pipe 25. The engagement protrusion 52 (see FIG. 5) of the fixing member 35 engages with the slide groove 43 of the leg post 26. Thereby, rotation of the leg post 26 in the circumferential direction with respect to the leg pipe 25 is restricted. Further, if the long hole 45 is not formed in the leg post 26, the fixing member 35 may be fixed to the leg pipe 25 using a screw or the like instead of the fixing shaft 201.

The female thread 66 of the rotating member 36 is screwed into the male thread 55 of the fixed member 35. As the rotating member 36 is screwed together, the rotating member 36 approaches the fixed member 35. The second abutting member 37 and the spacer 38 are pushed up toward the first outer tapered surface 56 of the fixed member 35 by this rotating member 36 . The end surface 37a of the second contact member 37 contacts the spacer 38. The inner circumferential surface of the spacer 38 contacts the first outer tapered surface 56 of the fixing member 35 . In this state, the spacer 38 is located between the male threaded portion 47 of the fixing member 35 and the second abutting member 37 in the axial direction.

When the rotating member 36 is screwed onto the fixed member 35, the tapered surface 67 (see FIG. 7) of the rotating member 36 comes into contact with the tapered surface 69 of the second contact member 37. Due to the contact between the tapered surfaces 67 and 69, the second contact member 37 presses the spacer 38 against the first outer tapered surface 56. By pressing the spacer 38, the diameter of the first contact portion 48 of the fixing member 35 is reduced. This first contact portion 48 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 42 of the leg post 26. The tapered surface 67 indirectly presses the first outer tapered surface 56 via the second abutting member 37 and the spacer 38 . Thereby, the leg post 26 is fixed to the leg pipe 25.

When the rotating member 36 is screwed onto the fixed member 35, the tapered surface 67 (see FIG. 7) of the rotating member 36 comes into contact with the tapered surface 69 of the second contact member 37. The diameter of the second abutting member 37 is reduced by the abutment between the tapered surface 67 and the tapered surface 69. By reducing the diameter of the second contact member 37, the inner peripheral surface 37c of the second contact member 37 contacts the outer peripheral surface 42 of the leg post 26. Furthermore, the linear convex portion 71 of the second abutting member 37 engages with the positioning groove 44 . The tapered surface 67 directly presses the tapered surface 69. Thereby, the leg post 26 is more firmly fixed to the leg pipe 25. The shape of the positioning groove 44 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an example, and is not limited to this shape. The positioning groove 44 may have any shape as long as it is a concave shape that allows the linear convex portion 71 of the second abutment member 37 to engage with the surface of the insertion portion 41 .

When the end surface 60 of the rotating member 36 approaches the head 46 of the fixed member 35, the engagement pin 39 engages with the engagement recess 63. This engagement suppresses rotation of the rotating member 36 with respect to the fixed member 35. The engagement between the engagement pin 39 and the engagement recess 63 prevents the rotation member 36 from loosening with respect to the fixed member 35. The engagement pin 39 and the coil spring 40 function as a rotation suppressing member.

In this wheelchair 1, the leg pipe 25, leg post 26, and telescoping fixture 28 constitute a telescoping mechanism. The height position of the footrest 27 is adjusted by this expansion and contraction mechanism. Although the leg post 26 is inserted into the leg pipe 25 here, the present invention is not limited to this. The leg post 26 may be formed of a pipe, and the leg pipe 25 may be inserted into the leg post 26. In this case, the fixing member 35 is fixed to the leg post 26.

A notch 57 is formed in the first contact portion 48 of the fixing member 35 . This notch 57 facilitates the diameter reduction of the first contact portion 48 . This fixing member 35 is provided with the first outer tapered surface 56 to facilitate the diameter reduction of the first contact portion 48 . As a result, the first contact portion 48 is strongly pressed against the outer circumferential surface 42 of the leg post 26.

The second contact member 37 has a C-shape with a portion cut out. By having this shape, the diameter of the second abutting member 37 can be easily reduced. By providing the tapered surface 69, the diameter of the second contact member 37 can be easily reduced. Thereby, the inner circumferential surface 37c of the second abutting member 37 can undergo a large diameter reduction deformation. The inner peripheral surface 37c of the second contact member 37 is strongly pressed against the outer peripheral surface 42 of the leg post 26. This facilitates engagement between the linear convex portion 71 and the positioning groove 44.

Further, the rotating member 36 has a tapered surface 67 on its inner peripheral surface, thereby making it easier to reduce the diameter of the second abutting member 37. This tapered surface 67 makes it easier to position the leg post 26 with respect to the leg pipe 25.

In this telescopic fixture 28, the spacer 38 is pressed against the first outer tapered surface 56 by screwing the male thread 55 and the female thread 66 together. Due to this screw engagement, the tapered surface 67 of the rotating member 36 is pressed against the tapered surface 69 of the second contact member 37. The combination of the first tapered surface 56, the tapered surface 69, and the threaded engagement of the male thread 55 and female thread 66 allows the leg post 26 to be positioned relative to the leg pipe 25 with a relatively small force. This telescopic fixture 28 can fix the leg post 26 to the leg pipe 25 without applying a large force.

In this telescopic fixture 28, the engagement pin 39 engages with the engagement recess 63 of the rotating member 36, thereby preventing the rotating member 36 from loosening from the fixed member 35. This rotation suppressing member suppresses loosening of the threaded connection between the rotating member 36 and the fixed member 35 due to vibration or impact. The wheelchair 1 may be subjected to vibrations and shocks due to road conditions, obstacles, etc. on which the wheelchair 1 travels. The telescoping fixture 28 including this rotation suppressing member is suitable for the telescoping mechanism of the wheelchair 1.

In this telescopic fixture 28, the engagement pin 39 is biased by a coil spring 40. As a result, the engagement pin 39 is urged toward the engagement recess 63 while being movable in its axial direction. The engagement recess 63 includes an engagement tapered surface 64 that becomes deeper from the rear toward the front in the direction of rotation in which the rotating member 36 is screwed into the fixed member 35 . By providing this engagement tapered surface 64, the rotating member 36 can be screwed into the fixed member 35 without removing the tip of the engagement pin 39 from the engagement recess 63. In this telescopic fixture 28, the rotating member 36 can be easily screwed onto the fixed member 35.

The engagement recess 63 includes an engagement tapered surface 65 that becomes deeper from the rear toward the front in the direction of rotation in which the rotating member 36 is unscrewed from the fixed member 35 . By providing this engagement tapered surface 65, the rotation member 36 can be unscrewed from the fixed member 35 without removing the tip of the engagement pin 39 from the engagement recess 63. In this telescopic fixture 28, the rotation member 36 and the fixed member 35 can be easily unscrewed from each other.

The engagement recess 63 does not need to have the engagement tapered surface 65 formed therein. Instead of this engagement tapered surface 65, a surface perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the rotating member 36 may be formed. By forming this vertical surface, unless the engagement pin 39 is removed from the engagement recess 63, rotation of the rotating member 36 in the direction of loosening the screw engagement is restricted. Thereby, the screwing of the rotating member 36 can be prevented from loosening. It also helps prevent malfunctions of the telescopic fixture 28.

The footrest 27 supports the feet of a user seated on the wheelchair 1. The footrest 27 receives irregular external forces when the user moves or presses on the feet. In this wheelchair 1, the linear convex portion 71 of the second contact member 37 and the positioning groove 44 of the leg post 26 engage with each other, and the footrest 27 is positioned. Thereby, even when receiving irregular external forces, the height position of the footrest 27 is prevented from shifting.

In this wheelchair 1, the footrest 27 can be positioned and fixed by gripping the outer peripheral surface 58 of the rotating member 36 and screwing it into the fixed member 35. In this wheelchair 1, no tools are required to adjust the height position of the footrest 27. This wheelchair 1 does not require detailed work with the fingertips for positioning. In this wheelchair 1, a disabled person, an elderly person, an injured person, etc. can easily adjust the height of the footrest 27.

In this telescopic fixture 28, the tapered surface 67 of the rotating member 36 indirectly presses the first outer tapered surface 56 of the fixing member 35, but the tapered surface 67 abuts against the first outer tapered surface 56 and directly presses the first outer tapered surface 56. The first outer tapered surface 56 may be pressed.

In this wheelchair 1, a second back pipe 30 is fixed to a first back pipe 29 by a telescopic fixture 28. In this wheelchair 1, the height position of the handle 33 is adjustable in the same way as the footrest 27. Thereby, the height of the handle 33 can be adjusted according to the height of the caregiver pushing the wheelchair 1. This allows the caregiver to push the wheelchair 1 in a comfortable posture. Further, the brake lever 10a can be easily operated. For example, when going down a slope, the caregiver can easily adjust the braking force by gripping the brake lever 10a.

Furthermore, the use of the telescopic fixture 28 is not limited to adjusting the height position of the footrest 27 or the height position of the handle 33. For example, it may be used to adjust the lengths of the cross members 4c and 4d of the cross frame 4. This allows the seat width to be adjusted according to the user's body shape. It may be used to adjust the lengths of the seat pipe 4a, base pipe 12, and seat side pipe 13. Thereby, the seat depth can be adjusted according to the user's body shape. Further, it may be used to adjust the length of the main portion 22a of the arm pipe 22 and the height of the front end portion 22b. Furthermore, the rear wheel mounting portion 15 may be formed of a pipe like the front pipe 14, and the telescopic fixture 28 may be used to adjust the height position of the front pipe 14 and the rear wheel mounting portion 15. This allows the sitting height to be adjusted.

FIG. 10(a) shows the state in the process of reaching the state in which the leg post 26 is fixed to the leg pipe 25, as shown in FIG. Arrow Ff indicates the direction in which the rotating member 36 is screwed into the fixed member 35. The subcervical length Lp of this engagement pin 39 is made larger than the distance Dt in FIG. 9 . In FIG. 10A, the tip 39c of the engagement pin 39 is not in contact with the bottom surface 63a of the engagement recess 63. In FIG. The head 39a of the engagement pin 39 is in contact with the end surface 54.

FIG. 10(b) shows another state of the process leading to the state shown in FIG. 9 in which the leg post 26 is fixed to the leg pipe 25. This state is shown as being close to the state shown in FIG. The subcervical length Lp of this engagement pin 39 is made smaller than the distance Db in FIG. 9 . Therefore, the tip 39c of the engagement pin 39 is in contact with the end surface 60. Due to this contact, the engagement pin 39 is pushed up against the biasing force of the coil spring 40. The head 39a is spaced apart from the end surface 54.

In this telescopic fixture 28, when the rotating member 36 is screwed into the fixed member 35, the engagement pin 39 alternately repeats the posture shown in FIG. 10(a) and the posture shown in FIG. 10(b). When changing from the posture shown in FIG. 10(b) to the posture shown in FIG. 10(a), the head 39a of the engagement pin 39 comes into contact with the end surface 54. This contact generates a contact sound.

In this telescopic fixture 28, when the leg post 26 is fixed to the leg pipe 25, the length Lp below the neck of the engagement pin 39 is larger than the distance Dt, so that the loosening of the screwing of the rotating member 36 can be prevented. It is stopped. Since the length Lp below the neck is smaller than the distance Db, it can be determined from the contact sound that the leg post 26 is fixed to the leg pipe 25. This extensible fixture 28 prevents the rotating member 36 from being screwed in too much or insufficiently into the fixed member 35.

As shown in FIG. 11, the back-folding connector 18 includes a main body 86, a lower connecting portion 87, a shaft 88, a rotating portion 89, an upper connecting portion 90, a pin 91, a spring 92, and a lever 93.

The main body 86 includes a receiving portion 94 and a pin hole 95. The lower connecting portion 87 extends downward from the lower end of the main body 86. A shaft 88 is fixed to the main body 86 with the left and right direction being the longitudinal direction. The rotating portion 89 is rotatable relative to the main body 86 using the shaft 88 as a rotation axis. The upper connecting part 90 extends upward from the upper end of the rotating part 89. The pin 91 is slidably inserted into the rotating portion 89 along the longitudinal direction of the pin 91 . The spring 92 biases the pin 91 in such a direction that its tip is pushed out. Lever 93 engages the rear part of pin 91. In FIG. 11 , the rotating portion 89 is in contact with the receiving portion 94 . At this time, the tip of the pin 91 is inserted into the pin hole 95 by the biasing force of the spring 92.

The axis of the lower connecting part 87 and the axis of the upper connecting part 90 are on the same straight line. Thereby, the axis of the lower back pipe 16 attached to the lower connecting part 87 and the axis of the upper back pipe 17 attached to the upper connecting part 90 are made to be on the same straight line.

FIG. 12(a) shows a state in which the lever 93 of the back-folding connector 18 is rotated clockwise. Due to this rotation of the lever 93, the tip of the pin 91 is pulled out from the pin hole 95 against the biasing force of the spring 92. The engagement between the pin 91 and the pin hole 95 is released, and the rotating portion 89 can rotate relative to the main body 86.

FIG. 12(b) shows a state in which the rotating portion 89 is rotated with respect to the main body 86. In FIG. 12(b), the upper back pipe 17 is rotating with respect to the lower back pipe 16. Furthermore, by rotating the upper back pipe 17, the lower back pipe 16 and the upper back pipe 17 can be folded.

As shown in FIG. 13, in this wheelchair 1, the rear arm support 24 supports the arm pipe 22. In the rear arm support 24, the support portion 24b is located above and on the outside in the left-right direction with respect to the attachment portion 24a. In this wheelchair 1, the back folding connector 18 can be positioned below by the arm pipe 22. This allows the height of the wheelchair 1 to be lowered when the upper back pipe 17 is folded.

FIG. 14 shows a telescoping fixture 102 for a wheelchair 101 according to another embodiment of the invention. This wheelchair 101 has the same configuration as the wheelchair 1 except that a telescoping fixture 102 is used in place of the telescoping fixture 28 of the wheelchair 1. Regarding this wheelchair 101, the different configurations from the wheelchair 1 will be explained, and the explanation of the similar configurations will be omitted. Further, here, the same components as those of the wheelchair 1 will be explained using the same reference numerals.

This telescopic fixture 102 includes a fixing member 35, a rotating member 103, a second abutting member 104, and a spacer 105. Although not shown, the telescopic fixture 102 includes an engagement pin 39 and a coil spring 40, similar to the telescopic fixture 28.

The rotating member 103 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a rotating member through hole 103a formed therein that passes through the rotating member 103 in the axial direction. The rotating member 103 includes an outer circumferential surface 106, an inner circumferential surface 107, and an end surface 108. Although not shown, a large number of recesses 61 are formed in the outer circumferential surface 106, similar to the rotating member 36. The end surface 108 is a surface facing the head 46 of the fixing member 35 in the axial direction. Similar to the rotating member 36, a plurality of engagement recesses 63 arranged in the circumferential direction are formed in this end surface 108.

This rotating member 103 includes a female thread 109 and a bottom surface 110 as a pressing portion. This female thread 109 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 107. The female thread 109 is threadedly engaged with the male thread 55 of the fixing member 35. The female thread 109 is formed on the end face 108 side in the axial direction. The bottom surface 110 is formed to protrude radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 107. The bottom surface 110 is formed farther from the end surface 108 than the female thread 109 is. The bottom surface 110 is a surface facing the fixing member 35.

Like the second abutting member 37, the second abutting member 104 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a portion cut out. A tapered surface 112 as a second outer tapered surface is formed on the outer peripheral surface 111 of the second contact member 104. This tapered surface 112 is inclined from the outside in the radial direction toward the inside toward the fixing member 35. A striped convex portion 71 extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner circumferential surface 113.

The spacer 105 has a substantially cylindrical shape. A first inner tapered surface 115 and a second inner tapered surface 116 are formed on the inner peripheral surface 114 of the spacer 105 . The first inner tapered surface 115 is formed on the fixed member 35 side in the axial direction. The first inner tapered surface 115 extends from the rotating member 103 toward the fixed member 35 in an inclined manner from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction. The second inner tapered surface 116 is formed on the second contact member 104 side in the axial direction. The second inner tapered surface 116 extends from the fixed member 35 toward the rotating member 103 in an inclined manner from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction.

In this telescopic fixture 102, when the rotating member 103 is screwed onto the fixed member 35, the bottom surface 110 comes into contact with the second abutting member 104. The second contact member 104 contacts the spacer 105. The rotating member 103 pushes up the second abutting member 104 and the spacer 105 toward the fixed member 35. The first outer tapered surface 56 of the first contact portion 48 of the fixing member 35 contacts the first inner tapered surface 115 of the spacer 105 . The bottom surface 110 presses the first outer tapered surface 56 indirectly via the second abutting member 104 and the spacer 105. As a result, the diameter of the first contact portion 48 is reduced. The tapered surface 112 of the second contact member 104 contacts the second inner tapered surface 116 of the spacer 105. The bottom surface 110 presses the tapered surface 112 indirectly via the spacer 105. As a result, the diameter of the second contact member 104 is reduced. In this way, the leg post 26 is fixed to the leg pipe 25.

In this telescopic fixture 102, the second contact member 104 contacts the spacer 105 and is reduced in diameter. In this way, the diameter of the second abutting member 104 may be reduced by the spacer 105 or, similarly to the telescopic fixture 28, by the rotating member 103.

In this telescopic fixture 102, the first contact portion 48 of the fixing member 35 contacts the first inner tapered surface 115 of the spacer 105 and is reduced in diameter. In this way, the diameter of the first contact portion 48 may be reduced by the tapered surface contacting the first outer tapered surface 56 like the spacer 105, or by the spacer 38 of the telescopic fixture 28. , the inner peripheral surface may be brought into contact with the first outer tapered surface 56.

FIG. 15 shows a portion of a wheelchair 120 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. This wheelchair 120 includes a leg post 121 and a telescopic fixture 122. In this wheelchair 120, a leg post 121 is used in place of the leg post 26 of the wheelchair 1. In place of the telescopic fixture 28 of the wheelchair 1, a telescopic fixture 122 is used. This wheelchair 120 is otherwise configured similarly to the wheelchair 1. Regarding this wheelchair 120, the different configurations from the wheelchair 1 will be explained, and the explanation of the similar configurations will be omitted. Further, here, the same components as those of the wheelchair 1 will be explained using the same reference numerals.

This telescopic fixture 122 includes a fixing member 123, a rotating member 36, a second abutting member 37, a spacer 38, and an engagement pin 39. Although not shown, the telescoping fixture 122 includes a coil spring 40, similar to the telescoping fixture 28.

This fixing member 123 includes a head 124, a male threaded portion 125, and a first contact portion 126. In the axial direction of the male threaded portion 125, the head 124 is located on one side of the male threaded portion 125, and the first contact portion 126 is located on the other side of the male threaded portion 125.

A large diameter hole 127 is formed in the axial end surface 124a of the head 124. Furthermore, the fixing member 123 includes a small diameter hole 128 as a fixing member through hole. The axis of this small diameter hole 128 is shifted in the radial direction of the large diameter hole 127 with respect to the axis of the large diameter hole 127. In this head 124, the large-diameter hole 127 and the small-diameter hole 128 are offset in the front-rear direction, but they may be offset in the left-right direction, or they may be offset in an oblique direction with respect to the front-rear, left-right directions. This small diameter hole 128 is formed along the axial direction of the male threaded portion 125 from the end surface 126a of the first contact portion 126 to the end surface 124a. A pair of engagement protrusions that protrude inward in the radial direction are formed on the inner circumferential surface 129 of the small diameter hole 128, similar to the pair of engagement protrusions 52 of the fixing member 35.

A pin hole 53 passing through the head 124 is formed in the head 124 (see FIG. 9). This pin hole 53 is located radially outward from the small diameter hole 128. The axis of the pin hole 53 is parallel to the axis L1. The head 124 is provided with an end surface 54 as a stopper at one open end of the pin hole 53. This end surface 54 is a plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the pin hole 53. Furthermore, a through hole 124b extending in the radial direction of the large diameter hole 127 and a through hole 124c extending in the radial direction of the small diameter hole 128 are formed in the head 124.

A male thread 130 is formed in the male thread portion 125 . The first contact portion 126 is formed with a first outer tapered surface 131 that extends in the axial direction from the end surface 126a of the first contact portion 126 toward the male threaded portion 125 so as to be inclined from the inside in the radial direction to the outside. There is. A plurality of notches 132 are formed in the first contact portion 126 and extend in the axial direction. These cutouts 132 are arranged in the circumferential direction. Each notch 132 penetrates from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the first contact portion 126. This notch 132 is open to an end surface 126a serving as a tip of the first contact portion 126.

This leg post 121 includes a small diameter portion 133. This small diameter portion 133 is formed in the insertion portion 41. The small diameter portion 133 has a smaller diameter than the outer circumferential surface 42 of the insertion portion 41 and is formed as a concave portion recessed radially inward from the outer circumferential surface 42. The small diameter portion 133 is formed at the upper end of the insertion portion 41 and is formed at a lower end than the upper end of the insertion portion 41 . This small diameter portion 133 is formed with a predetermined length in the axial direction of the insertion portion 41. The leg post 121 is configured similarly to the leg post 26 except for the small diameter portion 133.

In this wheelchair 120, the leg pipe 25 is inserted into the large diameter hole 127, and the telescopic fixture 122 is fixed. The leg post 121 is inserted into the small diameter hole 128. The fixed shaft 202 is passed through the elongated hole 45 of this insertion portion 41 . Thereby, this leg post 121 is slidably inserted into the leg pipe 25 and is prevented from coming off from the leg pipe 25. This leg post 121 is attached to the leg pipe 25 by a telescopic fixture 122. Like this wheelchair 120, the axis of the leg post 26 may be shifted with respect to the axis of the leg pipe 25.

This leg post 121 has a small diameter portion 133 formed therein. The small diameter portion 133 is formed to have an outer diameter with which the first contact portion 126 and the second contact member 37 do not come into contact even if the first contact portion 126 and the second contact member 37 are reduced in diameter. Thereby, in this wheelchair 120, the fixing range of the leg post 121 is restricted to a desired range. Thereby, the fixed position of the leg post 121 can be adjusted at a height that ensures a sufficient gap between the footrest 27 and the ground. This wheelchair 120 can prevent the footrest 27 from colliding with a step such as a curb. In this wheelchair 120, the small diameter portion 133 is provided near the upper end of the insertion portion 41, but the present invention is not limited thereto. By providing the small diameter portion 133 in the insertion portion 41 in correspondence with a position where the leg post 121 is not desired to be fixed, the fixing range of the leg post 121 can be restricted to a desirable range.

In this wheelchair 1 as well, a leg post 121 may be used instead of the leg post 26. In this wheelchair 120, the position of the axis of the leg pipe 25 and the position of the axis of the leg post 121 are shifted from each other. Thereby, the adjustment range of the height position of this leg post 121 can be set without being restricted by the leg pipe 25. In this wheelchair 120, by using this leg post 121, the fixing range of the leg post 121 can be adjusted to a more preferable position over a wide range.

Although the use of the telescopic fixture described above has been explained using a wheelchair as an example, it is not limited to this. This telescoping fixture is widely used, for example, for the telescoping of frames of mobility aids such as electric wheelchairs, walkers, and walking carts with wheels attached to the walkers. This telescoping fixture is particularly suitable for telescoping frames of mobility aids used by disabled people, elderly people, injured people, and the like.

1, 101, 120...Wheelchair 2...Side frame 5...Foot leg support 25...Leg pipe (hollow pipe)
26, 121...Leg post (bar)
27...Footrest 28, 102, 122...Extendable fixture 35, 123...Fixing member 36, 103...Rotating member 36a, 103a...Rotating member through hole 37, 104...Second Contact member 38, 105... Spacer 39... Engagement pin 40... Coil spring 44... Positioning groove 48... First contact portion 54... End surface 55, 130... Male thread 56, 131... First outer tapered surface 57, 132... Notch 60, 108... End surface 63... Engagement recess 64, 65... Engagement taper surface 66, 109... Female thread 67...Tapered surface (pressing part)
69, 112...Second outer tapered surface 71...Striped convex portion 110...Bottom surface (pressing portion)

Claims (7)

A movement support tool having an extensible fixture at one end of a hollow pipe for positioning and fixing an axially movable rod with respect to the hollow pipe,
The extensible fixture includes a fixing member fixed to the hollow pipe, and a rotating member engaging the fixing member by rotating an axial direction of the rod about a rotation axis,
The rotating member includes a rotating member through hole through which the rod is passed, and a pressing part,
The fixing member includes a fixing member through hole through which the rod is passed, and a first contact portion that protrudes in the axial direction from one end of the hollow pipe when attached to the hollow pipe,
The rotating member is configured to rotate in an axial direction about a rotation axis, and the rotating member engages with the fixed member, so that the pressing portion directly or indirectly presses the first contact portion. Ori,
The first contact portion pressed by the pressing portion is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the rod,
An engagement protrusion projecting radially inward from the fixing member through hole engages with an axially extending slide groove formed in the rod, causing rotation of the rod in the circumferential direction with respect to the hollow pipe. Mobility aids that are regulated. a second abutting member disposed between the rod and the rotating member;
The second contact member has a cylindrical shape and includes a notch extending in the axial direction,
The rotating member is configured to rotate in an axial direction about a rotation axis, and the rotating member engages with the fixed member, so that the pressing portion directly or indirectly presses the second abutting member. Ori,
The movement support tool according to claim 1, wherein the second contact member pressed by the pressing portion is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the rod. A movement support tool having an extensible fixture at one end of a hollow pipe for positioning and fixing an axially movable rod with respect to the hollow pipe,
The extensible fixture includes a fixing member fixed to the hollow pipe, a rotating member engaging the fixing member by rotating an axial direction of the rod about a rotation axis, and the rod and the rotating member. and a second contact member disposed between the
The rotating member includes a rotating member through hole through which the rod is passed, and a pressing portion,
the fixing member includes a fixing member through hole through which the rod is passed;
The second contact member has a cylindrical shape and includes a notch extending in the axial direction,
The rotating member is configured to rotate in an axial direction about a rotation axis, and the rotating member engages with the fixed member, so that the pressing portion directly or indirectly presses the second abutting member. Ori,
The second contact member pressed by the pressing part is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the rod,
An engagement protrusion projecting radially inward from the fixing member through hole engages with an axially extending slide groove formed in the rod, causing rotation of the rod in the circumferential direction with respect to the hollow pipe. Mobility aids that are regulated. A spacer is provided between the rod and the rotating member,
The rotating member is configured to rotate in an axial direction about a rotational axis, and the rotating member engages with the fixed member, so that the pressing portion presses the first contact portion via the spacer. The movement support device according to claim 1 or 2. A spacer is provided between the rod and the rotating member,
The rotating member is configured to rotate in an axial direction about a rotation axis and engage the fixed member, so that the pressing portion presses the second abutting member via the spacer. The movement support device according to claim 2 or 3.
The rod body is provided with a positioning groove formed on the outer peripheral surface and extending in the circumferential direction,
The first contact portion includes a positioning convex portion that protrudes radially inward,
The movement support tool according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, wherein the positioning convex portion engages with the positioning groove in a state in which the pressing portion presses the first contact portion. The rod body is provided with a positioning groove formed on the outer peripheral surface and extending in the circumferential direction,
the second abutting member includes a positioning convex portion that protrudes radially inward;
The movement support tool according to any one of claims 2, 3, and 5, wherein the positioning convex portion engages with the positioning groove in a state in which the pressing portion presses the second contact member.

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