JP2017158955A - Walker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a walker that functions as an auxiliary tool of standing up.SOLUTION: A walker 1 includes: a frame 10 which has a nearly U shape in a plane view and includes a wheel 11 in the lower part; an armrest 13 which is placed on the upper part of the frame 10, and on which a user puts the upper limbs or which the user grips with the hands; a stopper 12 which restricts the movement of the wheel 11; and a brake hand rail 14 which is axially rotatably attached to the frame 10, reaches through rotation from a state (called as an initial position hereafter) of drawing or directing in the opening direction of the nearly U shape to a state (called as a string-up position hereafter) of rotating to a prescribed angle in upper rotation, and restricts by linking with the stopper 12, the movement of the wheel 11 in the initial position, and releases movement restriction of the wheel 11 in the string-up position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a walker that also has a handrail function to be used at the time of standing, and more particularly to a walker that also functions as a gripping grip when walking by turning a handrail.

  Elderly people whose muscle strength in both lower limbs has decreased due to aging, and those whose muscle strength in both lower limbs has decreased due to paraplegia due to osteoarthritis of the knee or spinal cord injury are moved using a walker that assists walking.

The walker is known as a horseshoe walker or rabbit walker, etc., with the grip of the upper part of the walker by hand, or by placing the upper limb on the upper part of the walker and leaning on the body. It is a device that assists walking.
Conventionally, by using a walker, a walker user can increase the degree of freedom of life.

Such walker users are often bed users in order to reduce the load of standing up. Here, when getting up and walking from the state of sleeping on the bed, it is necessary to first sit on the side of the bed and then stand up while moving weight sufficiently forward. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, a key-shaped fence that covers the bed is installed as an auxiliary handrail that extends to the front so that weight can be easily moved when standing up. Is done.
On the other hand, such a walker user often uses a portable toilet, and the portable toilet is placed on the bedside to reduce the movement of the user.

  At this time, since the moving directions are the same, the portable toilet and the walker compete at the handrail. That is, replacement is necessary when the walker is in front when using the portable toilet or when the portable toilet is in front when using the walker. In general, since it is difficult for a walker user to switch between a walker and a portable toilet by himself, there is a problem that an assistant is required and the burden is large. In order to install both a portable toilet and a walker, the front handrail is eliminated, and when the walker is installed in front of the bed, it is difficult to stand up because there is no handrail in the walker, and there is no brake. In this case, there was a problem that the walker fell over.

The same applies to standing up and walking from a sitting position on a chair or sofa, and many of them do not have a handrail, so it was necessary for the assistant to stand up and point the walker.
When there was no helper, it was unavoidable to grab a desk, a doorknob, etc. This caused the possibility of falling.

JP 2000-279 JP 2002-224179 A JP 2009-261509 A Registered Utility Model No. 3181958

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above, Comprising: It aims at providing the walker which functions also as a standing auxiliary tool.

  The walker according to claim 1 is substantially U-shaped in a plan view and is provided with a frame body provided with a wheel at a lower portion thereof, and is disposed on the upper portion of the frame body so that the user's upper limb is placed on or held by a user's hand. A support body and a grip body attached to the frame body so as to be pivotable and extending or oriented in the substantially U-shaped opening direction (hereinafter referred to as “initial position”) A grip body that is turned upward to a predetermined angle (hereinafter referred to as “the jumping position”), assists the standing at the initial position, and serves as a grip when walking at the jumping position. It is characterized by comprising.

  The walker according to claim 2 is the walker according to claim 1, further comprising a brake body that suppresses the movement of the wheel, and the grip body is a rod body that crosses the left and right of the substantially U-shape. In the initial position, it is curved so as to project in the opening direction, and in conjunction with the brake body by turning, it assists the gripping at the initial position and suppresses the movement of the wheel, and at the jumping position when walking It is characterized by releasing the wheel movement restraint

In the present invention, since the grip body protrudes toward the front at the initial position, the grip body can be grasped so as to be pushed down as a clue, and then the grip body can be lifted up so that it does not get in the way and is gripped as it is. A walker can be used as a hand grip. Thereby, it is possible to provide a walker that also functions as a standing assist device.
In addition, since the grip body is a lever that projects sideways on the side, it is easy to grip and easily lift up, so it is excellent in operability.
Further, the grip body may be a part or all of the support body, and the predetermined angle may be an angle that exceeds the vertical direction and falls to the side opposite to the initial position. The grip body can be used as a grip like an aero bar in a bicycle at the jumping position, and it is possible to provide an easy-to-walk walker with fewer components and ease of use.

The substantially U-shape is not particularly limited as long as the foot travels, that is, the movement of the foot in the front-rear direction is not affected (does not interfere) and one direction is open. Horseshoe-shaped, C-shaped, V-shaped and U-shaped are also included.
The support may be a U-shaped frame, a U-shaped frame, or the like, and may be provided separately on the left and right like clog teeth. Moreover, you may be comprised as a face body which makes it easy to lean an upper body. Placing the upper limb includes an aspect of putting an elbow, and may be accompanied by an aspect of placing the chest.
The brake body is not particularly limited as long as the wheel does not move. The brake body may be in direct contact with the wheel to restrict rotation, and is composed of a stick (stopper) that stands on the ground separately from the wheel. It may be. The linkage with the grip body can employ a link mechanism.
Even if the grip body is in the form of being horizontally passed to the frame body as described in claim 2, a grip body is provided at the center of the frame, and becomes an ∈ character in a relationship with the frame body at an initial position in plan view. It may be an aspect protruding into Depending on the mode of use, it may be provided separately on the left and right sides instead of a single one. The state of being stretched or oriented in the substantially U-shaped opening direction means that it may be tilted downward or upward to some extent and is tilted forward. The initial position can also be called an initial state, and similarly, the jumping position can also be called a jumping state. The upper predetermined angle may be an aspect that is almost directly above. In the configuration as in claims 2 and 3, an angle that is further raised to the opposite side (the far side, the front side) may be used. . That is, the jumping state includes a state of falling (sleeping) to the other side.
The height of the support and the height of the grip body are preferably adjustable.
The curved shape can be a turtle shell bracket, that is, a letter, U letter, U letter, C letter. Left and right refer to parallel pairs in the U shape. When the rotation shaft is separately provided as a rod, it can be said that it has a D shape together with this.
The predetermined angle may be 110 ° to 150 °, assuming that the vertical angle is 90 ° when viewed from the side tilted to the initial position.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a walker that also functions as an auxiliary device for standing up.

It is a top view in the initial state of the walker of this invention. It is a left view in the initial state of the walker of this invention. It is a top view in the jumping state of the walker of the present invention. It is a left view in the jumping state of the walker of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example in which the key-shaped fence which covers a bed was installed as an auxiliary handrail of standing up.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, an example in which the present invention is applied as a so-called horseshoe type walker will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the walker according to the present invention in an initial state. FIG. 2 is a left side view of the walker according to the present invention in an initial state. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the walker according to the present invention in a jumping state. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the walker according to the present invention in a jumping state.

  The walker 1 has a frame 10, a wheel 11, an armrest 13, a brake handrail 14, and a stopper 12 as a basic configuration.

The frame 10 rises with a slight inclination from the U-shaped wheel frame 101 (the right frame 111, the left frame 112, and the front frame 113) disposed at the lower portion, and the right frame 111 and the left frame 112 of the wheel frame 101, respectively. Two strut frames 102, a first reinforcing frame 103 that reinforces between the wheel frame 101 and the strut frame 102, and a second reinforcing frame 104 that reinforces the two strut frames 102 by horizontally bridging them. .
Further, the support frame 102 has a horizontal lower support 121 that is bent forward at the top and to which the armrest 13 is attached. A stay 122 is formed in the curved portion, and the brake handrail 14 is attached thereto.

Four wheels 11 are attached to the right frame 111 and the left frame 112 of the wheel frame 101 so as to be symmetrically arranged. The front two are free casters 11J, and the rear two are fixed casters 11K.
In addition, two stoppers 12 are arranged on the front frame 113 of the wheel frame 101, and ascend and descend in conjunction with the rotational position of the brake handrail 14 as will be described later. As the stopper 12 is grounded and raised, the walker 1 is switched between fixed (movement restriction) and open (free movement).

  The armrest 13 is a cushioned armrest, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in the present embodiment, and is mounted on the lower support 121. Although not shown in the drawing, the height of the support frame 102 can be adjusted as appropriate, and the user sets the appropriate height while confirming the position of the armrest 13.

  The brake handrail 14 has a D-shape in which a single overhang portion 141 and a rotation shaft 142 are coupled, and is attached to the stay 122 so as to be rotatable upward. It can be said that the overhanging portion 141 is laterally passed to the two support frames 102 via the stay 122. One swing angle of rotation is the horizontal direction, and when this is θ = 0 °, the other swing angle of rotation is θ = 140 ° (hereinafter, the position of θ = 0 ° is referred to as the initial position). , Θ = 140 ° is referred to as a jumping position).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the brake handrail 14 protrudes forward in the initial position. When in this position, the stopper 12 extends down to the ground in conjunction with the brake handrail 14, thereby fixing the walker 1 (does not move).

  On the other hand, in the initial position, the overhanging portion 141 of the brake handrail 14 is located in front of the armrest 13 in plan view. Moreover, the linear part of the overhang | projection part 141 is comparatively long.

Therefore, the user can easily put his hand on the overhanging portion 141 of the brake handrail 14 and can use the handrail as a fixed handrail when standing up. Depending on how it is used, the first reinforcing frame 103 may be grasped first and then the overhanging portion 141 may be put on.
Note that a sponge material or a rubber material is widely wound around the brake handrail 14 including the overhanging portion 141 so that a stable grip feeling can be obtained.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the brake handrail 14 is rotated upward and when it is in the jumping position, the stopper 12 is in an upward state. The device 1 can move without restriction.

  Moreover, when it is a jumping position, the overhang | projection part 141 becomes the positional relationship which protrudes diagonally ahead of the armrest 13 and a high position. Therefore, the user can move the weight easily and can handle the walker 1 by holding the elbow on the armrest 13 and holding the overhanging portion 141 with both hands along the arm.

  That is, the walker 1 can be said that the brake handrail 14 becomes a handrail at the time of standing up, becomes a fixture of the walker, becomes a support portion or a cane that supports the body, and also serves as a transmission portion of the moving force.

  The stopper 12 is interlocked with the rotation angle of the brake handrail 14, and this moves upward and downward as the stopper wire 12 </ b> W is pulled and pulled back. However, if the stopper 12 seems to be raised as soon as the brake handrail 14 is not at the initial position, the standing will become unstable. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the stopper 12 is designed to leave the ground when θ ≧ 115 °. Conversely, when the brake handrail 14 is returned (when the walker 1 is fixed), the stopper 12 is grounded when θ <115 °.

  As described above, the walker 1 also functions as an auxiliary device for standing up by a brake handrail.

The present invention is not limited to the above example. For example, a brake mechanism that stops the movement of the wheel 11 may be provided separately from the stopper. This can be realized by providing a brake lever-like thing on the upper part of the frame 10.
Further, the first reinforcing frame 103 and the second reinforcing frame 104 are not essential, and may be omitted depending on the design.
Further, the height of the brake handrail 14 or the overhanging portion 141 may be adjusted independently of the support frame 102.

  In addition, a brake handrail may be provided separately on the left and right instead of one that crosses the left and right. In this case, since one side is open, for example, it can be used as a hook for placing a shopping bag.

Further, as the movement restriction, the wheel may be lifted, the wheel may be pressed from the outside, or the axle may be locked. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and a brake or a movement restriction mechanism may be provided.
In the case of a brake, the front two wheels may be locked, the rear two wheels may be locked, all four wheels may be locked, or the other.
The brake may be turned on / off linked to the handrail, or the brake may be turned on / off independently of the handrail.
The brake may be a wheel having an acceleration brake such as that used in a wheelchair manufactured by Nabtesco, a wheel capable of rotating two wheels, or a wheel capable of rotating both four wheels.

  The present invention also applies to walker such as elbow / forearm supported walker, 4-wheel walker (walking assisting rabbit, compal, etc.), silver car, fixed walker, walker with front wheel, alternating walker. can do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Walker 10 Frame 101 Wheel frame 111 Right frame 112 Left frame 113 Front frame 102 Prop frame 121 Lower support part 122 Stay 103 First reinforcement frame 104 Second reinforcement frame 11 Wheel 11J Swivel caster 11K Fixed caster 12 Stopper 12W Stopper wire 13 Armrest 14 Brake Handrail 141 Overhang 142 Rotating Shaft 24 Brake Handrail 241 Grip

Claims (2)

A frame body that is substantially U-shaped in plan view and has wheels at the bottom;
A support that is placed on top of the frame body and on which the user's upper limb is placed or held by the user's hand;
The grip body is attached to the frame body so as to be pivotable and is extended or oriented in the opening direction of the substantially U-shape by rotation (hereinafter referred to as “initial position”). A grip body that reaches a state of being rotated upward to a predetermined angle (hereinafter referred to as a “jumping position”), assists in standing at the initial position, and serves as a grip during walking at the jumping position;
A walker characterized by comprising: A brake body that suppresses the movement of the wheel;
The grip body is a bar body that crosses the left and right sides of the substantially U-shape and is curved so as to protrude in the opening direction at the initial position, and is gripped at the initial position in conjunction with the brake body by turning. 2. The walker according to claim 1, wherein the walker is configured to assist standing and suppress movement of the wheel, and at a jumping position, the grip during walking is released and the movement suppression of the wheel is released.