JPH11113971A - Braking device for wheelchair for nursing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate braking operation by an attending person by a method wherein a nursing person pushes down a push handle to separate a braking body from wheels by operating a link mechanism and when the attending person relaxes a holding force of the handle, the braking body keeps the wheels pressed as intact. SOLUTION: A wheel chair for nursing includes a brake plate 9 which has the upper end side of a wire 7 linked to a pair of left and right push handles 6 provided on the rear side of the wheel chair while the lower end side thereof is linked to a link mechanism 8 and is arranged pressable and separable on rear wheels 2B and a spring 10 to energize it to the rear wheels 2B. In this case, when an attending person pushes down the push handles 6, the brake plate 9 is lifted by the wire 7 pulled upward to release braking. On the other hand, when the attending person relaxes a force holding the push handle 6, a force for pulling the wire 7 is gradually weakened and the brake plate 9 is turned downward by an energizing force of the spring 10 to be pressed onto the rear wheels 2B thereby applying a braking.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheelchair for nursing care having a push handle on the back side for a caregiver to push, and more particularly to a brake device for the wheelchair.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Nursing wheelchairs have a push handle on the back side for a caregiver to push and are widely used. Conventionally, as a brake device for a wheelchair for nursing care, when a caregiver manually operates a handle dedicated to the brake or depresses a pedal dedicated to the brake with a foot, the brake body is pressed against the wheel and the brake is applied. Such a configuration is known.

[0003]

However, in this conventional brake device, it is necessary to operate a brake-specific handle or depress a brake-specific pedal with a foot. Has been invited. First,
In order to apply the brake, it is necessary to operate the handle exclusively for the brake or depress the pedal dedicated to the brake with a foot.
Also, in order to release the brake, it is required to operate a handle dedicated to the brake or to depress a pedal dedicated to the brake with a foot, which places a burden on the caregiver. Furthermore, there is a risk that the caregiver may inadvertently forget to apply the brake, which may cause an unexpected accident.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem of the conventional example. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair brake device that does not require a caregiver to apply a brake or release a brake and does not have to worry about forgetting to apply the brake.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve this object, the present invention provides a care wheelchair provided with a push handle on the back side for a caregiver to push the push handle up and down. A traction means having an upper end connected to a push handle, a link mechanism having a lower end connected to the traction means, a brake body provided on the wheel side so as to be able to be pressed and separated from the wheel side, Biasing means for biasing the body in the direction of pressing the body toward the wheel. In this wheelchair, when the caregiver pushes down the hand push handle, the traction means operates the link mechanism in one direction to separate the brake body from the wheel and release the brake. On the other hand, when the caregiver loosens the force holding the push handle or releases the hand, the urging force of the urging means activates the link mechanism in another direction, rotates the brake body downward to press the wheel, Apply the brake.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a wheelchair for nursing care of the present invention. The wheelchair for nursing care includes a frame 1 constituting the entire framework of the wheelchair, wheels 2 provided on the lower side of the frame 1, and a seat 3 provided on the frame 1.
And a handrail 4 provided above and below the seat 3, a backrest 5 provided on the frame 1, and a pair of left and right hand push handles 6 protruding from the rear side of the wheelchair.

[0007] The push handle 6 is provided so that a caregiver can hold the wheelchair with both hands and push the wheelchair from behind. The wheels 2 include a front wheel 2A and a rear wheel 2B.
Is a caster system. This wheelchair is a rear wheel 2B
There is provided a brake device for pressing the brake to apply a brake. The brake device of the present invention is configured such that the brake is applied or the brake is released in conjunction with the operation of the push handle 6.

[0008] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the brake device comprises a wire 7 having an upper end connected to a push handle 6.
And a link mechanism 8 to which the lower end of the wire 7 is connected.
And a brake plate 9 provided on the rear wheel 2B so as to be able to press and separate therefrom, and a spring 10 for urging the brake plate 9 in a direction to press the rear wheel 2B. The wire 7 corresponds to a pulling means in the present invention, the spring 10 corresponds to a biasing means, and the brake plate 9 corresponds to a specific example of a brake body.

The brake plate 9, the spring 10 and the link mechanism 8 are built in a brake box 11. The brake box 11 is fixed to the frame 1. The brake plate 9 is supported by a brake box 11 and connected to a spring fitting 12 as shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9. The base end of the brake plate 9 is rotatably supported by the pin 13 of the brake box 11. Also,
The intermediate portion of the brake plate 9 is fixed to the spring fitting 12 by the pin 14.
Are rotatably connected to the The tip of the brake plate 9
The rear wheel can be pressed and separated. That is, the brake plate 9 rotates vertically with the pin 13 as a fulcrum, rotates downward, is pressed by the rear wheel, applies a brake, rotates upward, separates from the rear wheel, and releases the brake. It has become.

In the present embodiment, the link mechanism 8 includes a spring fitting 12 supported by a brake box 11 and a wire fitting 15. The spring fitting 12 is connected between both the brake plate 9 and the wire fitting 15 and is also connected to the spring 10. The spring bracket 12 is
First to third points corresponding to the three vertices of the triangle are connected to the brake plate 9, the wire fitting 15, and the spring 10 as follows. The first point of the spring fitting 12 is rotatably connected to the brake plate 9 by the pin 14 as described above. The second point is rotatably connected to the wire fitting 15 by the pin 17. The third point is connected to one end of the spring 10 by a pin 16B. In this embodiment, the spring 10 is formed of a coil spring, and the pin 16A and the pin 1
6B, it is connected between the brake box 11 and the spring fitting 12. The spring 10 biases the brake plate 9 in a downward direction, that is, in a direction in which a brake is applied, by rotating a spring fitting 12.

[0011] The wire fitting 15 is connected to the brake box 11.
And is connected to the spring fitting 12 and the wire 7. The wire fitting 15 has the first to third points corresponding to the three vertices of the triangle as shown in FIG.
1, the spring fitting 12 and the wire 7 are respectively supported or connected. A first point of the wire fitting 15 is rotatably supported by a pin 18 of the brake box 11. The second point is rotatably connected to the spring fitting 12 by the pin 17 as described above. The third point is connected to the lower end of the wire 7 by a pin 19. Wire fitting 15
Can be turned up and down with the pin 18 as a fulcrum. That is, the wire fitting 15 is pivoted between a position pulled up by the wire 7 as shown in FIG. 6 and separated from the brake stopper 20 and a position where it comes into contact with the brake stopper 20 as shown in FIG. The brake stopper 20 is provided on the brake box 11 and is provided for regulating the brake plate 9. The brake stopper 20
When the brake is released as shown in FIG. 6, the lifted brake plate 9 hits, and as shown in FIG. 7, the brake plate 9 is provided so as to be separated in the braking operation state. The wire 7 has a lower end passed through a port 21 of the brake box 11. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Through the port 23 of the handle box 22.
The wire 7 passes through a resin tube 24 between the brake box 11 and the handle box 22.

In the present invention, the push handle 6 is
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the frame 1 is rotatable up and down around a base end as a fulcrum. When the caregiver grasps and pushes the wheelchair, the push handle 6 is at a lower position substantially parallel to the ground as shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 5. On the other hand, when the caregiver loosens his hand or releases his / her hand, the push handle 6 is inclined upward by the urging force of the spring 10 shown in FIG. Become. As shown in FIG. 5, the push handle 6 is supported by a handle box 22 fixed to the frame 1 so as to be vertically rotatable, and is connected to the wire 7. The push handle 6 includes a grip 25, a bent lever 26 extending from the grip 25, and a wire hook 27 provided at an end of the lever 26. The grip 25 is a part that the caregiver holds. The push handle 6 can be turned up and down by a lever 26 supported by a fulcrum boss 28 of the handle box 22. The wire hook 27 engages the upper end of the wire 7. The handle box 22 is provided with a handle stopper 29 for regulating the lever 26. When the caregiver pushes down the hand push handle 6 as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 5, the wire hook 27 rises and pulls the wire 7 upward. When the wire 7 is pulled upward, as shown in FIG. 6, the wire fitting 15 is rotated upward with the pin 18 as a fulcrum, whereby the spring fitting 12 is rotated against the urging force of the spring 10. Then, the brake plate 9 is lifted to release the brake. On the other hand, when the caregiver loosens the gripping force on the push handle 6 or releases his / her hand from the push handle 6, as shown in FIG.
The pulling force on 5 gradually weakens or disappears altogether. Then, the spring metal 12 is pulled by the urging force of the spring 10 to rotate the brake plate 9 downward to press the rear wheel 2B to apply the brake. At this time,
As the spring fitting 12 is rotated by the biasing force of the spring 10, the wire fitting 15 is rotated downward, the wire 7 is pulled downward, and the push handle 6 is raised upward as shown by the solid line in FIG. Return. The mounting positions of the spring fitting 12, the wire fitting 15, and the brake plate 9 and the spring constant (biasing force) of the spring 10 are such that the wire fitting 15 is completely free as shown in FIG. When the spring fitting 12 is pulled by the above operation, the rotation fulcrum is exceeded and the lock is set. Therefore, when the caregiver releases the hand from the hand pushing handle 6 and pulls the spring fitting 12 by the full biasing force of the spring 10, the spring fitting 12, the wire fitting 15, and the brake plate 9 all pivot. Over, the lock is applied and the parking brake is applied. In order to depress the hand push handle 6 for releasing the brake, a force that pulls the spring fitting 15 against the urging force of the spring 10 is required. It is desirable that the force for pushing down the hand push handle 6 be as small as possible. On the other hand, the biasing force of the spring 10 is
It is necessary to have enough force to press the brake plate 9 against the rear wheels and apply the brakes reliably. Therefore, the mounting positions of the wire fittings 15 and the spring fittings 12 and the biasing force of the spring 10 are set in consideration of both the force of pushing down the push handle 6 and the biasing force of the spring 10.

In the wheelchair for care constructed as described above, the brake is applied or released according to the operation of the caregiver as described below. When the caregiver pushes down the push handle 6, the brake is released as follows, and the wheelchair can travel normally. When the caregiver pushes down the push handle 6 as shown by the phantom line in FIGS. 1 and 5, the wire hook 27 pulls the wire 7 upward. When the wire 7 is pulled upward, as shown in FIG. 6, the wire fitting 15 is rotated upward with the pin 18 as a fulcrum, so that the spring fitting 15 rotates against the urging force of the spring 10. Then, the brake plate 9 is lifted, separated from the rear wheel, and the brake is released.

On the other hand, when the caregiver loosens the grip on the push handle 6, the brake is applied by the urging force of the spring 10. As the caregiver loosens the grip on the push handle, the force with which the wire 7 pulls the wire fitting 15 is gradually reduced.
When the brake pedal 2 is pulled, the brake plate 9 is rotated downward, and is pressed against the rear wheel with a gradually increasing force, so that the brake is gradually applied.

Further, when the caregiver releases his / her hand from the push handle 6, as shown in FIG. 7, the force for pulling the wire fitting 15 by the wire 7 disappears, and the wire fitting 15 is completely free. The urging force works fully to pull the spring fitting 12. As a result, the spring fitting 12, the wire fitting 15, and the brake plate 9 all go beyond the fulcrum and are locked. That is, the vehicle is locked with the brake applied, and the parking brake is applied. When the parking brake is applied, the brake is not released unless the caregiver pushes down the hand push handle 6. Further, once the parking brake is applied, even if an accident occurs in which the wire 7 is cut, the brake release is prevented. When the hand is released from the push handle 6, the parking brake is applied, so that the parking brake is not forgotten. Further, when the caregiver leaves the wheelchair, the wheelchair does not move. It also makes it easier for caregivers to get on and off the wheelchair. It is also convenient for caregiver shopping. When the caregiver loosens the grip on the push handle 6 or releases his / her hand, the push handle 6 naturally returns to the upper position by the force of the spring 10. According to the present embodiment, the wheelchair can be switched to each of the running, stopping, and parking states only by operating the push handle 6.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the embodiment described above, the brake is automatically applied when the hand gripping the push handle 6 is loosened or released, but the invention is not limited to this. That is, if the caregiver desires that the brake is not applied even if the hand holding the push handle 6 is loosened or released, the brake release state may be maintained. For example, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 10, a pin 30 horizontally extending to one side of the lever 26 of the hand-push handle 6, a brake release holding hook 31 rotatably supported by the handle box 22, and It has.
The release holding hook 31 is engaged with the pin 30 of the push handle 6. When the push handle 6 is turned down from the position of the imaginary line and is engaged with the pin 30 in a state where the push handle 6 is pushed down as shown in the drawing, the push-down handle 6, that is, the brake release state is maintained. .

In the above-described embodiment, the wire 7 is used as the traction means, the spring 10 is used as the urging means, and the brake plate 9 is used as the brake body. However, the specific configuration of each means is not limited to this. However, it is needless to say that the design can be changed as appropriate. For example, a rope, a link mechanism, or the like can be used instead of the wire 7 as the traction means.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the brake body is described in which the brake is applied by directly pressing the wheel. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the brake may be applied by pressing an axle or the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the brake operation state is locked and the parking brake is applied when the hand is released from the push handle 6 has been described. However, a wheelchair without this parking brake structure is also provided by the present invention. Of course.

[0020]

According to the brake device for a wheelchair for nursing care of the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, the brake is applied or the brake is released simply by the caregiver pushing down the hand push handle, loosening the hand holding the hand push handle, or releasing the hand. Therefore, a special operation is not required for the caregiver to apply or release the brake, and the burden on the caregiver can be reduced. Also, there is no need to worry about forgetting to apply the brake, and the safety of the wheelchair can be improved.

(2) According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the pulling means is a wire, the durability is higher and the safety can be further improved as compared with the case where a rope, a link mechanism or the like is used.

(3) According to the third aspect of the invention, since the link mechanism is composed of two links, the structure can be simplified, the failure rate can be reduced, and the safety can be further improved.

(4) According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the urging means is a coil spring, it is excellent in durability and can further enhance safety as compared with rubber or the like.

(5) According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the caregiver releases his / her hand from the push handle, the brake operation state is automatically locked and the parking brake can be applied, so that the safety is further improved. Can be enhanced.

(6) According to the sixth aspect of the invention, it is possible to hold the hand push handle in a downwardly rotated state, that is, in a brake released state, thereby realizing a wheelchair that is more convenient for a caregiver.

(7) According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the brake release holding mechanism comprises a pin provided on the hand push handle and a brake release hook rotatably supported on the frame side. Therefore, the release holding mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a brake release state of a wheelchair for care of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a brake operation state of the wheelchair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the wheelchair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the wheelchair shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an operation state diagram illustrating a hand push handle.

FIG. 6 is an operation state diagram showing the inside of the brake box when the brake is released.

FIG. 7 is an operation state diagram showing the inside of a brake box when a brake is applied.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the link mechanism and the spring as viewed from one side.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the link mechanism as viewed from the other side.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2B Rear wheel (wheel) 6 Push handle 7 Wire (traction means) 8 Link mechanism 9 Brake plate (brake body) 10 Spring (biasing means) 12 Spring fitting (second link) 15 Wire fitting (first link) 30 pin (brake release holding mechanism) 31 release holding hook (brake release holding mechanism)

Claims (7)

[Claims] In a wheelchair for care provided with a push handle for pushing a caregiver on the rear side, a push handle is provided rotatably up and down, and a traction means having an upper end connected to the push handle. A link mechanism to which the lower end side of the traction means is connected, a brake body provided on the wheel side so as to be able to be pressed and separated from the wheel side, and a biasing means for biasing the brake body in a direction to press the wheel body side. A wheelchair brake device for nursing care, comprising: 2. The wheelchair brake device according to claim 1, wherein the traction means is a wire. 3. A link mechanism comprising: a first link connected to a lower end of the traction means and rotatably supported; and a second link rotatably connected to the first link and the brake body. 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a link.
3. The wheelchair brake device for nursing care according to claim 1. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means is a coil spring. 5. The nursing care system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting position of the link mechanism and the urging force of the urging means are configured to be locked when the brake body presses the wheel side. Wheelchair braking device. 6. The brake device for a wheelchair for nursing care according to claim 1, further comprising a brake release / holding mechanism for holding the hand push handle in a downwardly rotated state. 7. A release release mechanism for a brake includes a pin provided on a push handle, and a release assisting hook rotatably supported on a frame side so as to be able to engage or release the pin. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein
3. The wheelchair brake device for nursing care according to claim 1.