JP3196047U - Wheel fixing mechanism for walking cars - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To fix a wheel of a walking vehicle capable of reliably fixing a front wheel attached to a lower end portion of a front frame so as to be horizontally turnable in a direction coinciding with a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body. Provide mechanism. In a walking vehicle in which a front wheel (3a) is attached to a lower end portion of a front frame body (3) via support members (8, 9) and a rear wheel is attached to a lower end portion of the rear frame body, a wheel fixing mechanism (11) is provided. The operation lever 14 is rotated in the rotation fixing direction L, and the locking pin 12 accommodated in the pin accommodating portion 93 of the upper support member 9 projects downward from the pin projecting hole 93b and faces the pin projecting hole 93b. Is engaged with the locking hole 83 of the lower support member 8 that has been rotated and moved. Accordingly, since the support members 8 and 9 are rotationally fixed so as not to rotate relative to each other, the front wheel 3a attached to the lower end portion of the front frame 3 so as to be able to turn horizontally is set to the front-rear direction X of the walking vehicle. It can be rotationally fixed in a state in which the directions are coincident. [Selection] Figure 6

Description

  This device is used, for example, for walking training for disabled people and elderly people who have difficulty walking, functional recovery, shopping, walking, etc. The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel fixing mechanism.

  Conventionally, a hand-operated walking vehicle used when a user such as a disabled person or an elderly person walks as described above can turn the front wheel horizontally with respect to the lower ends of the left and right front frame bodies in the vehicle body ( Since the walking vehicle can be moved and moved in the direction of travel desired by the user's hand, the front wheels are facing during the traveling movement of the walking vehicle. It is difficult to confirm the direction, and if the push-and-push operation is performed without confirming the direction of the front wheels, the user may fall down because the walking car tends to advance in an unexpected direction.

  Therefore, in order to ensure the straightness of the walking vehicle, a hand-held walking vehicle having a mechanism for turning and fixing the front wheels in a direction coinciding with the front-rear direction of the walking vehicle has already been proposed (see Patent Document 1). . In this walking vehicle, the caster with the front wheel bearing is attached to the lower end of the front pipe so that it can be turned horizontally, so that a stopper member mounted on the lower end of the front pipe is projected on the front of the caster. By covering the part, the front wheel can be turned and fixed in a direction coinciding with the front-rear direction of the walking vehicle.

  However, since the convex portion protruding in front of the caster tends to pivot about the front pipe due to the moving force when the pedestrian travels in the desired direction, the relationship between the stopper member and the convex portion is large. The stress applied to the joint part is large. In addition, since the engaging portion between the stopper member and the convex portion is exposed to the outside, the stopper member is easily detached from the convex portion, and the front wheel is kept rotationally fixed in a direction that matches the front-rear direction of the walking vehicle. Is difficult.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-104195

  This device is a wheel of a walking vehicle that can securely fix the front wheel attached to the lower end of the front frame so as to be able to turn horizontally in a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. An object is to provide a fixing mechanism.

  This device attaches the front wheel to the lower end portion of the front frame body in the vehicle body via the wheel support portion so as to be freely rotatable, and allows the rear wheel to freely rotate with respect to the lower end portion of the rear frame body. In the pedestrian attached to the vehicle, the upper support member that fixes the wheel support portion to the lower end portion of the front frame, the lower support member that supports the front wheel at the lower end portion, and the support members horizontally The wheel fixing mechanism includes a vertical shaft that is pivotably connected, and a wheel fixing mechanism that rotates and fixes a front wheel bearing on the lower support member in a state in which the front wheel is oriented in a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. And a pin projecting hole for allowing the lower end portion of the locking pin formed at the lower end portion of the pin accommodating portion to project. And the lower end of the locking pin is Pin urging means for urging the locking pin in a direction protruding downward from the protruding hole, and engagement of a lower end portion of the locking pin formed in a portion of the lower support member facing the pin protruding hole Is connected to the upper end portion of the locking pin protruding upward from the pin accommodating portion, and the lower end portion of the locking pin is extracted from the locking hole. It is a wheel fixing mechanism of a walking vehicle constituted by an operation lever that is rotated in a fixing release direction.

According to this device, the front wheel attached to the lower end of the front frame so as to be able to turn horizontally can be reliably fixed in a state in which the front wheel is directed in a direction coinciding with the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.
More specifically, the operating lever is operated to rotate in the unlocking direction around the portion connected to the locking pin, and the locking pin is lifted upward against the pin urging means, and the lower end of the locking pin. The part is extracted from the locking hole of the lower support member, and the engagement of the locking pin with the locking hole is released.

  As a result, the rotation and fixation of the lower support member and the upper support member are released, and relative rotation is possible. Therefore, the lower support member on which the front wheels are supported is centered on the vertical axis that is pivotally supported by the upper support member. It is possible to turn horizontally in a desired direction.

  As a result, since the front wheels attached to the lower end of the front frame so as to be able to turn horizontally turn horizontally according to the running direction of the walking car, the walking direction in which the walking car is desired by the user's hand The vehicle can be moved toward.

  Next, in order to ensure the straightness of the walking vehicle, the operation lever is rotated in the direction opposite to the fixing release direction (for example, the rotation fixing direction) around the portion connected to the locking pin, and the coil spring The locking pin is pushed downward by the urging force.

  At this time, if the locking hole in the lower support member is waiting immediately below the pin protruding hole in the pin accommodating portion, the lower end portion of the locking pin is engaged with the locking hole in the lower support member. Therefore, it is possible to rotate and fix the lower support member and the upper support member so that they cannot be rotated relative to each other.

  In addition, when the locking hole of the lower support member has moved to a position where the counter hole with the pin protruding hole of the pin housing portion is avoided, the lower support member on which the front wheel is supported is centered on the vertical axis. By horizontally turning in the desired direction and rotating the locking hole of the lower support member to a position facing the pin protruding hole of the upper support member, the lower end portion of the locking pin becomes the locking hole of the lower support member. Is engaged.

Thereby, the front wheel attached so that horizontal turning is possible with respect to the lower end part of a front part frame body can be rotationally fixed in the state orient | assigned to the direction which corresponds with the front-back direction of a walking vehicle.
As a result, the traveling direction of the walking vehicle and the rotational direction of the front wheel attached to the lower end of the front frame body coincide with each other, so the walking vehicle travels in an unexpected direction during the pushing operation of the walking vehicle. Can be prevented, and the straightness of the walking vehicle is improved.

In addition, since the locking pins are urged in the direction to be engaged with the locking holes by the urging force of the pin urging means, the locking pins are pulled out from the locking holes in the engaged state. Can be prevented.
Thereby, the front wheel attached so that horizontal turning with respect to the lower end part of a front part frame body can be kept in the state orient | assigned to the direction which corresponds with the front-back direction of a walking vehicle.

  As an aspect of the present invention, the lower support member is mounted on the lower bearing of the vertical shaft protruding downward from the upper support member so as to be horizontally pivotable, and from a side surface formed on the upper bearing portion. It extends obliquely downward as viewed and can be constituted by a lower bearing portion that bears the front wheel.

  According to this device, the front wheel attached to the lower end portion of the front frame so as to be able to turn horizontally can be reliably fixed in a state in which the front wheel is directed in a direction coinciding with the front-rear direction of the walking vehicle.

  More specifically, the lower support member in a desired direction in a state where the operation lever is rotated in the opposite direction to the fixing release direction (for example, the rotation fixing direction) to release the rotation fixing of the lower support member and the upper support member. Since the locking hole of the lower support member rotates and moves to a position where it is opposed to the pin protruding hole of the pin accommodating portion, the lower end portion of the locking pin protruding from the pin protruding hole is It is urged by the urging means so as to be in contact with the upper peripheral edge of the lower support member.

  However, since the lower bearing portion of the lower support member is formed in a shape that extends obliquely downward as viewed from the side with respect to the upper bearing portion, it uses the moving force when moving the walking vehicle in a desired direction. Thus, the lower bearing portion in which the front wheels of the lower support member are bearing can be horizontally turned in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the walking vehicle.

  That is, in order to engage the lower end portion of the locking pin with the locking hole of the lower support member by rotating the locking hole of the lower support member to a position facing the pin protruding hole of the upper support member. The front wheels attached to the lower end of the front frame so as to be horizontally turnable can be rotationally fixed in a state in which the front wheels are directed in a direction that coincides with the front-rear direction of the walking vehicle.

  As a result, the labor and work of horizontally turning the lower support member by the user's hand can be saved, and the work of rotating the locking hole of the lower support member to a position facing the pin protruding hole of the upper support member can be performed. Easy to do.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the pin accommodating portion that accommodates the locking pin, and the pin protruding hole that projects the locking pin correspond to the rear side of the vehicle body, and The locking hole that is provided on the rear side of the shaft and engages the lower end portion of the locking pin is opposed to the pin protruding hole in the upper bearing portion, corresponding to the lower bearing portion in the lower support member. It can be provided at the upper peripheral edge.

According to this device, the front wheel attached to the lower end portion of the front frame so as to be able to turn horizontally can be accurately and reliably fixed in a state in which the front wheel is directed in a direction coinciding with the front-rear direction of the walking vehicle. .
Specifically, the lower support member bearing the front wheel is horizontally swiveled around the vertical axis supported by the upper support member, and the lower bearing portion of the lower support member corresponds to the rear side of the vehicle body. Thus, by rotating and moving to the rear side of the vertical shaft, the locking hole of the upper bearing portion can be rotated and moved to a position facing the pin protrusion hole provided on the rear side of the vertical shaft in the upper support member.

  As a result, the lower end portion of the locking pin protruding from the pin protruding hole is securely engaged with the locking hole of the upper bearing portion in the lower support member, so that it is horizontal with respect to the lower end portion of the front frame. The front wheel attached so as to be able to turn can be accurately and reliably fixed in a state in which the front wheel is directed in a direction coinciding with the front-rear direction of the walking vehicle, and the straightness of the walking vehicle is further improved.

  Further, as an aspect of the present invention, a retaining member formed in a size and shape that covers the upper end side opening is fixed to the upper end side opening of the pin accommodating portion, and the retaining pin is fixed to the retaining member. A pin insertion hole that allows the upper end portion to protrude is formed, and the base end portion of the operation lever is connected to the upper end portion of the locking pin protruding upward from the pin insertion hole, and the base end portion of the operation lever In addition, a cam portion that abuts against the flat portion on the upper surface side of the retaining member can be formed.

According to this device, the rotational support of the lower support member and the upper support member can be more reliably released by rotating the operation lever.
More specifically, when the operation lever is rotated in the unlocking direction, the cam portion of the operation lever is brought into contact with the flat portion on the upper surface side of the retaining member, and the operation lever is fixed using the contacted portion as a fulcrum. Since the pivoting operation is performed in the release direction, for example, the locking pin connected to the operation lever can be easily pulled up against the pin urging means by the lever principle.

  As a result, since the lower end portion of the locking pin can be reliably extracted from the locking hole of the lower support member, the rotation and fixing of the lower support member and the upper support member can be reliably and easily released.

  Further, as an aspect of the present invention, in the state where the cam portion is rotated in the lying posture, the horizontal cam portion that vertically contacts the flat portion with respect to the flat portion on the upper surface side of the retaining member, In a state in which the operation lever is rotated to the upright posture, an upright cam portion that abuts the flat portion vertically with respect to the flat portion on the upper surface side of the retaining member, and a corner formed by the horizontal cam portion and the upright cam portion. A fulcrum cam portion that is formed continuously with the cam portion and abuts the curved portion against the flat portion on the upper surface side of the retaining member when the operation lever is rotated to a lying posture and a standing posture. Can be configured.

According to this device, it is possible to reliably maintain the unlocked state in which the rotation and fixing of the support members are released and the rotation and fixed state in which the support members are rotated and fixed so as not to rotate relative to each other.
More specifically, the operating lever is turned to the upright posture, and the flat portion of the standing cam portion of the cam portion is brought into perpendicular contact with the flat portion on the upper surface side of the retaining member, thereby vertically moving the operating lever. The rotation can be restricted to the standing posture.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operation lever from rotating to the lying posture, and it is possible to reliably maintain the unlocked state in which the rotational support between the lower support member and the upper support member is released.

In addition, by rotating the operating lever to the lying position, the flat part of the horizontal cam part is brought into perpendicular contact with the flat part on the upper surface side of the retaining member, so that the operating lever is placed in the lying position. The rotation can be restricted.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operation lever from rotating to the standing posture, and it is possible to reliably maintain the rotation fixing state in which the lower support member and the upper support member are fixed so as not to rotate relative to each other.

  Further, when the operation lever is rotated to the lying posture and the standing posture, the curved portion of the fulcrum cam portion is rotated while abutting against the flat portion on the upper surface side of the retaining member. An operation of easily pulling out the lower end portion of the locking pin from the locking hole of the lower support member or an operation of engaging the lower end portion of the locking pin with the locking hole of the lower support member can be easily performed.

  Further, as an aspect of the present invention, a detent nut is formed on the free end side of the operation lever, the operation portion for rotating the operation lever, and the operation portion screwed to the upper end portion of the vertical shaft, Or it can form in the magnitude | size and shape which cover the outer surface of the nut cap with which this detent | locking nut was mounted | worn.

  More specifically, a detent nut in which the operation lever is rotated to a lying position and the operation portion of the operation lever is screwed to, for example, the upper end of the vertical shaft, or a nut cap attached to the detent nut Cover the outer surface of the cover.

  As a result, even if an impact is applied to the operation lever in the lying position, the impact applied to the operation lever is transmitted to the detent nut or nut cap, so that the impact applied to the operation lever can be suppressed and durability Can be improved.

  According to this device, the front wheel that is attached to the lower end of the front frame so as to be able to turn horizontally can be securely fixed in a state in which the front wheel is directed in a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The wheel fixing mechanism can be provided.

The right view of the walking vehicle deform | transformed into the driving | running | working form of this embodiment. The right view of the walking vehicle deform | transformed into the folding form. The front view which looked at the walk vehicle of the traveling form from the front. The top view which looked at the walking vehicle of the traveling form from the upper direction. Explanatory drawing of the state which decomposed | disassembled the wheel fixing mechanism. Sectional drawing of the state which rotated and fixed the front wheel by the wheel fixing mechanism. Sectional drawing of the state which cancelled | released rotation fixation of the front wheel by a wheel fixing mechanism. Sectional drawing which divided the upper support member of the wheel support part in the front-back direction center. Sectional drawing of the state which horizontally swung the upper support member of the wheel support part to the front side.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a right side view of a walking vehicle 1 transformed into a traveling form of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a right side view of the walking vehicle 1 transformed into a folded form, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the walking vehicle 1 in a traveling form. FIG. 4 is a front view of the walking vehicle 1 in a traveling form as viewed from above.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the wheel fixing mechanism 11 is disassembled, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the state in which the front wheel 3a is rotationally fixed by the wheel fixing mechanism 11, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a sectional view in which the upper support member 9 of the wheel support portion 6 shown in FIG. 7 is divided at the center in the front-rear direction X. FIG. 9 is a front view of the lower support member 8 of the wheel support portion 6. It is sectional drawing of the state rotated horizontally to the side Xa.

The longitudinal direction X of the vehicle body 2 is a direction that coincides with the traveling direction (traveling direction) of the vehicle body 2 to be manually pushed, and the width direction W of the vehicle body 2 is a plane direction with respect to the longitudinal direction X. It is a direction orthogonal in.
Moreover, the side of the front frame 3 in the vehicle body 2 is defined as the front side Xa, and conversely, the side of the rear frame 4 relative to the front frame 3 is defined as the rear side Xb (see FIGS. 1 to 4).
The turning direction A is a direction that rotates horizontally around the vertical axis 10, and the vertical direction V is a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vertical axis 10.

The walking vehicle 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a car body 2 that is manually pushed so that it can be deformed into a traveling form (see FIG. 1) and a folded form (see FIG. 2).
The vehicle main body 2 includes a left and right front frame 3 extending diagonally downward on the front side disposed on the front side Xa of the vehicle main body 2 and a left and right rear frame 4 extending diagonally downward on the rear side disposed on the rear side Xb. The middle portions in the longitudinal direction are connected to each other, and the upper ends in the longitudinal direction of the front and rear frame bodies 3 and 4 are connected to each other (see FIGS. 1 to 4).

  At the lower end of the front frame 3, a large-diameter front wheel 3a is supported so as to be freely rotatable via a wheel support 6 having a horizontally turnable structure, which will be described later. It is attached so that it can be swiveled horizontally (or swung freely). A rear wheel 4a having a smaller diameter than the front wheel 3a is supported at the lower end of the rear frame 4 so as to be freely rotatable (see FIGS. 1 to 4).

A substantially U-shaped handle portion 5 in plan view having a shape protruding toward the front side Xa is attached to the upper end portion of the vehicle body 2 (see FIGS. 1 to 4).
A seat for seating is attached to the inside of the vehicle body 2 in the width direction W. Moreover, you may attach the storage bag which has the softness | flexibility which is not shown in figure below the seat part so that attachment or detachment is possible.

  The wheel support portion 6 has a lower support member 8 that supports the front wheel 3a at its lower end, an upper support member 9 that is fixed to the lower end of the front frame 3, and the support members 8 and 9 can turn horizontally. And a wheel fixing mechanism 11 for rotating and fixing the front wheel 3a bearing on the lower support member 8 in a state in which the front wheel 3a is directed in a direction coinciding with the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle body 2 (see FIG. 5, see FIG.

  The wheel fixing mechanism 11 includes a locking pin 12 accommodated so as to be movable up and down with respect to a pin accommodating portion 93 formed on the upper support member 9, and a lower end portion 12 a of the locking pin 12 formed on the lower end portion of the pin accommodating portion 93. A pin projecting hole 93b that permits the protrusion of the locking pin 12, a coil spring 13 that urges the locking pin 12 in a direction in which the lower end portion 12a of the locking pin 12 protrudes downward from the pin protruding hole 93b, and the lower support member 8 And a locking hole 83 that allows the lower end 12a of the locking pin 12 to be engaged with the pin protruding hole 93b.

  Further, the lock release direction C is coupled to the upper end portion of the locking pin 12 protruding upward from the pin accommodating portion 93 so as to be vertically rotatable, and the lower end portion 12a of the locking pin 12 is extracted from the pin protruding hole 93b. The lower end portion 12a of the locking pin 12 is provided with an operation lever 14 that is rotated in the rotation fixing direction L opposite to the fixing release direction C engaged with the pin protruding hole 93b (FIGS. 5 and 6). reference).

The lower support member 8 is integrally formed with an upper bearing portion 81 that is formed in a substantially circular shape when viewed from above and a lower bearing portion 82 that extends obliquely downward as viewed from the side surfaces formed on both lower side surfaces of the upper bearing portion 81. It is composed.
The upper bearing portion 81 has a bearing hole 81a penetrating in the vertical direction V formed in the center portion on the upper surface side of the upper bearing portion 81, and ball bearing type bearing members 81b are loaded vertically in the bearing hole 81a. (See FIGS. 5 and 6).

In the upper and lower bearing members 81b loaded in the bearing hole 81a, the lower end side of the vertical shaft 10 is inserted vertically from above through a washer 81c. A detent nut 81e is screwed to a lower end portion of the vertical shaft 10 protruding downward from the bearing hole 81a through a washer 81d.
Accordingly, the upper bearing portion 81 of the lower support member 8 is attached to the lower end portion of the vertical shaft 10 so as to be horizontally rotatable in the turning direction A about the vertical shaft 10 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). .

  A ring-shaped buffer member 81f formed larger in diameter than the upper bearing portion 81 is fitted to the upper outer peripheral surface of the upper bearing portion 81 in order to prevent scratches or damage to parts, for example. (See FIGS. 5 and 6).

The lower bearing portion 82 has a fork portion 82a having an upside down U shape when viewed from the front, and has a shape extending obliquely downward from both lower side surfaces of the upper bearing portion 81 when viewed from the side, and a vertical axis when viewed from the plane. 10 is formed in an extending shape extending in the radially outward direction from the center.
At both ends of the fork portion 82a, both ends of a horizontal shaft 82b inserted so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the rotation center of the front wheel 3a are supported (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

A locking hole 83 in which engagement of a locking pin 12 described later is allowed is directed radially outward about the vertical shaft 10 in an upper peripheral portion of the upper bearing portion 81 that faces a pin protruding hole 93b described later. One portion corresponding to the extended lower bearing portion 82 is formed.
The locking hole 83 is formed by cutting out a part of the upper peripheral edge portion of the lower bearing portion 82 and having a size and shape that allows the engagement of the lower end portion 12a of the locking pin 12 ( (See FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The upper support member 9 includes a frame receiving portion 91 formed in a substantially round shape when viewed from above, a cylindrical bearing portion 92 formed on the front side Xa of the frame receiving portion 91, and the front and rear direction X center of the upper support member 9. The pin housing portion 93 formed integrally with the bearing portion 92 and a retaining member 94 that covers the opening portion on the upper end side of the bearing portion 92 and the pin housing portion 93 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The frame receiving portion 91 inserts a lower end portion extending obliquely downward on the front side of the front frame body 3 into a bottomed cylindrical frame insertion hole 91a formed in a size and shape that allows insertion of the front frame body 3. And fixed with screws or the like (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The bearing portion 92 has a size and shape that allows engagement with a nut portion 10a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end side of the vertical shaft 10 and a substantially hexagonal shape when viewed from the bottom surface. A concave nut engaging portion 92a is formed. A bearing hole 92b having a hole diameter allowing the insertion of the vertical shaft 10 is formed in the central portion of the nut engaging portion 92a in the vertical direction V (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

The pin accommodating portion 93 includes an accommodating chamber 93a formed in a size and shape that allows one locking pin 12 and two coil springs 13 to be accommodated, and a pin protruding hole formed in the lower end of the accommodating chamber 93a. 93b.
The pin protruding hole 93b is formed in a size and shape that allows the lower end 12a to protrude from the locking pin 12 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  A shaft support portion 93c is formed on both side edge portions of the upper end side opening in the accommodation chamber 93a with a gap wider than a main body portion 14a of the operation lever 14 described later. The shaft support portion 93c is formed with a vertically long slot 93d that allows insertion and vertical movement of the connecting shaft 15 described later (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The locking pin 12 is accommodated in the central portion in the width direction W of the accommodation chamber 93a so as to be movable up and down. The two coil springs 13 are loaded on both sides of the locking pin 12 in the accommodation chamber 93a.

  On both side portions above the lower end portion 12a of the locking pin 12, projecting portions 12b that abut against the inner edge of the pin projecting hole 93b project in the width direction W. On the upper end side of the protruding portion 12b, a protrusion 12c that engages the lower end of the coil spring 13 protrudes upward (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The lower end of the coil spring 13 is locked to the protrusion 12 c of the protruding portion 12 b of the locking pin 12. The upper end of the coil spring 13 is in contact with the lower surface side of a pin receiving portion 94a of a retaining member 94 described later.

  The coil spring 13 loaded in the storage chamber 93a constantly urges the locking pin 12 in a direction in which the lower end portion 12a of the locking pin 12 protrudes downward from the pin protruding hole 93b of the storage chamber 93a. (See FIGS. 5 and 6).

  Further, when the lower end portion 12a of the locking pin 12 protrudes downward from the pin protruding hole 93b, the protruding portion 12b of the locking pin 12 comes into contact with the inner edge of the pin protruding hole 93b. 12 is prevented from protruding below a predetermined length below the pin protrusion hole 93b, and the locking pin 12 is prevented from falling out of the pin protrusion hole 93b (FIGS. 5 and 6). reference).

  The upper end side of the locking pin 12 is located above the upper end side opening of the receiving chamber 93a in the pin receiving portion 93 in a state where the lower end portion 12a of the locking pin 12 protrudes a predetermined length below the pin protruding hole 93b. In addition to being protruded, it is formed to have a length that allows protrusion beyond the pin insertion hole 95a of the pin receiving portion 94a of the retaining member 94 described later.

  Further, a hole 12d that allows insertion of a connecting shaft 15 to be described later is formed in the upper end of the locking pin 12 that protrudes upward from the pin insertion hole 95a in the width direction W (see FIG. 5, see FIG.

  The retaining member 94 includes a pin receiving portion 94a that supports an upper end side of a locking pin 12 described later so as to be movable up and down, and a bearing that supports the upper end side of the vertical shaft 10 formed on the front side Xa of the pin receiving portion 94. The portion 94b is integrally formed (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The pin receiving portion 94a is formed with a pin insertion hole 95a formed in a size and shape that allows vertical movement on the upper end side of the locking pin 12 described later, penetrating in the vertical direction V. The bearing portion 94b is formed with a bearing hole 95b having a hole diameter that allows insertion of the vertical shaft 10 in the vertical direction V (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The upper end side of the vertical shaft 10 is vertically inserted into the bearing hole 92b of the bearing portion 92 from below, and the nut portion 10a of the vertical shaft 10 is engaged with the nut engaging portion 92a of the bearing portion 92. The upper end side of the vertical shaft 10 inserted into the bearing portion 92 is inserted into the bearing hole 95b of the bearing portion 94b in the retaining member 94 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

A detent nut 97 is screwed into the upper end portion of the vertical shaft 10 protruding upward from the bearing hole 95b through a washer 96.
Thereby, the upper end side of the vertical shaft 10 is fixed to the bearing portion 92 of the upper support member 9 so as not to rotate.
A nut cap 98 formed in a size and shape covering the outer surface of the detent nut 97 is attached to the outer surface of the detent nut 97 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

The operation lever 14 is composed of a base end side main body portion 14a connected to the upper end portion of the locking pin 12 and a free end side operation portion 14b that is rotated by a user's hand. (See FIGS. 5 and 6).
On both side walls of the main body portion 14a, a hole portion 14d in which insertion of a connecting shaft 15 described later is allowed is formed so as to penetrate in the width direction W.

The operation portion 14 b of the operation lever 14 is formed in a size and shape that covers the outer surface of the nut cap 98 attached to the detent nut 97.
When the nut cap 98 is not attached to the detent nut 97, the operation portion 14b may be formed in a size and shape that covers the outer surface of the detent nut 97.

  The main body portion 14 a of the operation lever 14 is connected to the upper end portion of the locking pin 12 via the connecting shaft 15. That is, the main body portion 14a is inserted between the shaft support portions 93c formed in the storage chamber 93a, the hole portion 12d of the locking pin 12, the hole portion 14d of the main body portion 14a, and the long hole 93d of the shaft support portion 93c. Communicate with.

After the communication, the connecting shaft 15 is inserted into the holes 12d, 14d and the long hole 93d from one side in the width direction W, and is attached to the shaft end portion of the connecting shaft 15 protruding to the other side in the width direction W. The detent nut 17 is screwed in via.
As a result, the operation lever 14 is connected to the upper end portion of the locking pin 12 so as to be rotatable up and down, and in the unlocking direction C (for example, unlocking direction) and the rotation fixing direction L (for example, locking direction). It is provided so that it can be rotated (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

Cam portions 20 are formed on the peripheral edge portions of both side wall portions of the main body portion 14a so as to come into contact with the upper surface side flat portion of the pin receiving portion 94a of the retaining member 94.
The cam portion 20 includes a horizontal cam portion 20a formed on the lower edge of both side wall portions of the main body portion 14a, and one side edge portion (an edge portion on the opposite side of the operation portion 14b) of the both side wall portions of the main body portion 14a. The standing cam portion 20b is formed, and a fulcrum cam portion 20c formed at the edge of the corner formed by the cam portions 20a and 20b (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

The horizontal cam portion 20a, the standing cam portion 20b, and the fulcrum cam portion 20c are formed so as to increase in this order.
A portion of the horizontal cam portion 20a that is in contact with a flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a is formed lower than the standing cam portion 20b and the fulcrum cam portion 20c (see FIG. 5).

The portion of the standing cam portion 20b that is in contact with the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a is higher than the horizontal cam portion 20a and lower than the fulcrum cam portion 20c.
The portion of the fulcrum cam portion 20c that is in contact with the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a is formed higher than the horizontal cam portion 20a and the standing cam portion 20b (see FIG. 5).

The portions of the horizontal cam portion 20a and the standing cam portion 20b that are in contact with the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a are formed to be flat corresponding to the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a.
A portion of the fulcrum cam portion 20c that is in contact with the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a is formed in a smooth curved surface continuously with the cam portions 20a and 20b (see FIG. 5).

An operation method of the wheel fixing mechanism 11 when the above-described walking vehicle 1 travels in a desired direction will be described.
First, the operating lever 14 that has fallen to the lying posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 is rotated in the fixing release direction C about the connecting shaft 15 and is shown by the virtual line in the drawing from the lying posture shown by the solid line in FIG. When rotating to the standing posture, the fulcrum cam portion 20c of the cam portion 20 is brought into contact with the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a of the retaining member 94 fixed to the upper support member 9 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). ).

  That is, since the operating lever 14 is rotated in the unlocking direction C with the fulcrum cam portion 20c abutting against the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a as a fulcrum, it is easy to resist the coil spring 13 by the lever principle. (See FIGS. 6 and 7).

Along with the operation of rotating the operation lever 14 in the fixing release direction C, the connection shaft 15 is moved upward along the elongated hole 93d of the shaft support portion 93c in the pin accommodating portion 93 via the connection shaft 15. Then, the locking pin 12 connected to the operation lever 14 is pulled upward against the coil spring 13.
Thus, the lower end portion 12a of the locking pin 12 is extracted from the locking hole 83 of the lower bearing portion 82 in the lower support member 8, and the engagement of the locking pin 12 with respect to the locking hole 83 is released (FIGS. 7 and 7). 8).

  Further, when the operation lever 14 is rotated to the standing posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, the flat portion of the standing cam portion 20 b in the cam portion 20 is replaced with the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94 a in the retaining member 94. Therefore, the operation lever 14 can be restricted to rotate in a standing posture in which the operation lever 14 stands vertically (see FIG. 7).

  As a result, the rotational support of the lower support member 8 and the upper support member 9 is released and relative rotation is possible, so that the lower support member 8 and 9 are rotated horizontally with respect to the lower end portion of the front frame 3. The front wheel 3a that can be attached can be turned horizontally in a desired direction (turning direction A) around the vertical shaft 10 of the upper support member 9.

  As a result, the front wheel 3a attached to the lower end portion of the front frame 3 so as to be able to turn horizontally is turned horizontally (or swung around) according to the traveling direction of the walking vehicle 1. The user can move the vehicle in the desired direction of travel.

  Moreover, when the operation lever 14 is rotated to the upright posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, the flat portion of the standing cam portion 20b and the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a are brought into contact with each other by the coil spring 13. Since the operation lever 14 is positively prevented from rotating in the rotation fixing direction L, the rotation fixing between the lower support member 8 and the upper support member 9 is released. The released state (for example, the unlocked state) can be more reliably maintained (see FIG. 7).

Next, an operation method of the wheel fixing mechanism 11 when moving the walking vehicle 1 toward the front side Xa will be described.
First, the operation lever 14 raised in the standing posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 7 is rotated in the rotation fixing direction L about the connecting shaft 15 and is shown by the virtual line in the drawing from the standing posture shown by the solid line in FIG. When rotating to the lying down posture, the fulcrum cam portion 20c of the cam portion 20 abuts against the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a in the retaining member 94 fixed to the upper support member 9 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). ).

  That is, since the operation lever 14 is rotated in the rotation fixing direction L with the fulcrum cam portion 20c that is in contact with the upper flat portion of the pin receiving portion 94a as a fulcrum, the lever principle and the biasing force of the coil spring 13 are used. It can be easily rotated (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

  Along with the operation of rotating the operation lever 14 in the rotation fixing direction L, the operation lever 14 is moved via the connection shaft 15 while moving the connection shaft 15 downward along the elongated hole 93 d of the pin housing portion 93. The locking pin 12 connected to is pushed downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 13 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

  At this time, if the locking hole 83 of the lower bearing portion 82 of the lower support member 8 rotates and moves directly below the pin protruding hole 93b of the pin accommodating portion 93, the locking pin 12 protruding from the pin protruding hole 93b of the lower supporting member 8 is rotated. Since the lower end portion 12 a can be engaged with the locking hole 83 of the lower bearing portion 82, the lower support member 8 on which the front wheel 3 a is supported is aligned with the front-rear direction X of the walking vehicle 1. (See FIGS. 6 and 7).

  Further, when the operating lever 14 is rotated to the lying posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, the flat portion of the horizontal cam portion 20 a in the cam portion 20 is replaced with the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94 a in the retaining member 94. Therefore, the operation lever 14 can be restricted to turn to a lying posture in which the operation lever 14 is lying horizontally (see FIG. 6).

  As a result, the lower support member 8 and the upper support member 9 can be rotationally fixed so as not to rotate relative to each other, and can be turned horizontally with respect to the lower end portion of the front frame 3 via the support members 8 and 9. The attached front wheel 3a can be reliably fixed in a state in which the front wheel 3a is directed in a direction that coincides with the front-rear direction X of the walking vehicle 1 (see FIG. 6).

  As a result, the traveling direction of the walking vehicle 1 and the rotation direction of the front wheels 3a attached to the lower ends of the left and right front frame bodies 3 coincide with each other. Traveling in an unexpected direction can be prevented, and the straight traveling performance of the walking vehicle 1 is improved.

  Moreover, when the operating lever 14 is rotated to the lying posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, the flat portion of the horizontal cam portion 20a and the flat portion on the upper surface side of the pin receiving portion 94a are brought into contact with each other by the coil spring 13. Since the operation lever 14 is positively prevented from rotating in the unlocking direction C, the lower support member 8 and the upper support member 9 are rotationally fixed so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. The rotation fixed state (for example, locked state) can be maintained more reliably (see FIG. 6).

Further, since the locking pin 12 is urged in the direction to be engaged with the locking hole 83 by the urging force of the coil spring 13, the locking pin 12 is engaged with the locking hole when engaged with each other. It can be prevented from being pulled out from 83.
Thereby, the front wheel 3a attached to the lower end portion of the front frame 3 so as to be able to turn horizontally can be maintained in a state in which the front wheel 3a is directed in a direction that coincides with the front-rear direction X of the walking vehicle 1.

Furthermore, the operation lever 14 is rotated to the lying posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, and the operation portion 14 b is integrally covered and protected against the outer surface of the nut cap 98 attached to the detent nut 97. .
Thereby, for example, since the impact applied to the operation lever 14 is also transmitted to the detent nut 97 and the nut cap 98, the impact applied to the operation lever 14 can be reduced, and durability is improved. can do.

  Further, in the unlocked state in which the operation lever 14 is rotated to the lying posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 9, the lower support member 8 capable of horizontal turning is in a direction other than the rear side Xb, for example, the front shown by the solid line in FIG. When rotating to the side Xa, the locking hole 83 of the lower bearing portion 82 rotates and moves to a position where the locking hole 83 is prevented from facing the pin protruding hole 93b, so that the lower end of the locking pin 12 protruding from the pin protruding hole 93b 12a is urged by the coil spring 13 so as to be in contact with the upper flat portion of the lower bearing portion 82 (see FIG. 9).

  However, since the lower bearing portion 82 of the lower support member 8 is formed in a shape extending obliquely downward as viewed from the side with respect to the lower bearing portion 8, the walking vehicle 1 is caused to travel in a desired traveling direction. As a result, the entire lower support member 8 turns horizontally to the rear side Xb about the vertical axis 10 (see FIGS. 7 and 9).

  That is, the lower bearing portion 82 of the lower support member 8 is horizontally moved in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the walking vehicle 1 (rear side Xb) by using the moving force when the walking vehicle 1 travels in the desired direction. In order to rotate, the locking hole 83 of the lower support member 8 can be rotated and moved to a position facing the pin protrusion hole 93b of the upper support member 9 (see FIG. 7).

  As a result, when the locking hole 83 of the lower bearing portion 82 rotates and moves directly below the pin protruding hole 93b, the lower end portion 12a of the locking pin 12 that is in contact with the flat portion on the upper surface side of the lower bearing portion 82 is It engages with the locking hole 83 of the portion 82 (see FIG. 6).

  As a result, the lower support member 8 and the upper support member 9 can be rotated and fixed so as not to rotate relative to each other, and the front wheel 3a attached to the lower end portion of the front frame body 3 so as to be horizontally turnable is used as a walking vehicle. 1 can be reliably fixed in a state in which the direction is the same as the front-rear direction X.

  In addition, the lower support member 8 is turned horizontally by using the moving force when the walking vehicle 1 is moved in a desired direction, and the locking hole 83 of the lower support member 8 is moved into the pin protruding hole of the upper support member 9. Since the lower support member 8 is rotated and moved to a position opposite to the position 93b, the labor and work of horizontally turning the lower support member 8 by a user's hand can be saved, and the locking hole 83 of the upper support member 8 can be connected to the pin of the upper support member 9. The operation of rotating and moving to a position facing the protruding hole 93b can be easily performed.

In the correspondence between the configuration of this device and the above embodiment,
The pin urging means of this device corresponds to the coil spring 13 of the embodiment,
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, but can be applied based on the technical idea shown in the claims, and many embodiments can be obtained.

  The wheel fixing mechanism 11 of the present embodiment rotates, for example, a rear wheel 4 a that is swingably attached to a lower end portion of the rear frame 4 in a state in which the rear wheel 4 a is directed in a direction that coincides with the front-rear direction X of the walking vehicle 1. It can also be applied as a mechanism for fixing, and the application is not limited to the front wheel 3a.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the locking pin 12 and the locking hole 83 are provided at positions corresponding to the lower bearing portion 82 with the vertical shaft 10 as the center has been described. The stop hole 83 may be provided at a position that is eccentric by 90 degrees with respect to the lower bearing portion 82 or at an opposite position that is inverted by 180 degrees with respect to the lower bearing portion 82.

X: Longitudinal direction Xa ... Front side Xb ... Back side W ... Width direction A ... Turning direction V ... Vertical direction 1 ... Walking car 2 ... Car body 3 ... Front frame 3a ... Front wheel 7 ... Wheel support 8 ... Lower support member 81 ... Upper bearing portion 82 ... Lower bearing portion 83 ... Locking hole 9 ... Upper support member 91 ... Frame receiving portion 92 ... Bearing portion 93 ... Pin housing portion 93b ... Pin projection hole 93c ... Shaft support portion 93d ... Long Hole 94 ... Detachment member 94a ... Pin receiving part 95a ... Pin insertion hole 97 ... Detent nut 98 ... Nut cap 10 ... Vertical shaft 11 ... Wheel fixing mechanism 12 ... Locking pin 12a ... Lower end 13 ... Coil spring 14 ... Operation Lever 14b ... Operation part 15 ... Connecting shaft 20 ... Cam part 20a ... Horizontal cam part 20b ... Standing cam part 20c ... Supporting point cam part

Claims (6)

Walking with front wheels attached to the lower end of the front frame in the vehicle body via the wheel support so as to be freely rotatable, and rear wheels attached to the lower end of the rear frame so as to be freely rotatable. In the car,
The wheel support part,
An upper support member fixed to the lower end portion of the front frame, a lower support member bearing the front wheel at the lower end portion, a vertical shaft that connects the support members so as to be horizontally rotatable, and the lower support member A wheel fixing mechanism that rotates and fixes the front wheel bearing in a state in which the front wheel is oriented in a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body,
The wheel fixing mechanism,
A locking pin accommodated so as to be movable up and down with respect to the pin accommodating portion formed in the upper support member,
A pin projecting hole that allows the lower end of the locking pin to project at the lower end of the pin housing;
Pin urging means for urging the locking pin in a direction in which a lower end portion of the locking pin protrudes downward from the pin protruding hole;
A locking hole that allows engagement of a lower end of the locking pin formed in a portion of the lower support member that faces the pin protruding hole;
It is connected to an upper end portion of the locking pin protruding upward from the pin accommodating portion so as to be able to rotate up and down, and the lower end portion of the locking pin is operated to rotate in a fixing release direction to be extracted from the locking hole. This is a wheel fixing mechanism for walking vehicles that consists of an operating lever. The lower support member;
An upper bearing portion attached so as to be horizontally rotatable with respect to a lower end portion of the vertical shaft protruding downward from the upper support member;
The wheel fixing mechanism for a walking vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the wheel fixing mechanism includes a lower bearing portion that extends obliquely downward as viewed from a side surface formed in the upper bearing portion and that bears the front wheel. The pin accommodating portion that accommodates the locking pin, and the pin projecting hole that projects the locking pin are provided on the rear side of the vertical shaft in the upper support member corresponding to the rear side of the vehicle body,
The locking hole for engaging the lower end of the locking pin,
The wheel fixing mechanism for a walking vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the wheel fixing mechanism is provided on an upper peripheral edge portion of the upper bearing portion facing the pin projecting hole corresponding to the lower bearing portion of the lower support member. In the upper end side opening of the pin accommodating portion,
Fixing a retaining member formed in a size and shape covering the upper end side opening,
In the retaining member,
In communication with the upper end side opening of the pin accommodating portion, a pin insertion hole that allows the upper end of the locking pin to protrude is formed,
The base end of the operation lever
A cam portion that is connected to an upper end portion of the locking pin protruding upward from the pin insertion hole and that abuts against a flat portion on the upper surface side of the retaining member is formed at the base end portion. The wheel fixing mechanism of the walking vehicle as described in any one of 1-3. The cam portion,
In a state where the operating lever is rotated to the lying posture, a horizontal cam portion that vertically contacts the flat portion with respect to the flat portion on the upper surface side of the retaining member;
In a state where the operation lever is rotated to a standing posture, a standing cam portion that vertically contacts a flat portion with respect to a flat portion on the upper surface side of the retaining member;
An upper surface side of the retaining member is formed at a corner portion formed by the horizontal cam portion and the standing cam portion so as to be continuous with the cam portion, and when the operation lever is rotated to a lying posture and a standing posture. The wheel fixing mechanism for a walking vehicle according to claim 4, comprising a fulcrum cam portion that abuts the curved portion against the flat portion. On the free end side of the operation lever,
While forming an operation portion for rotating the operation lever,
The operation portion is formed in a size and shape that covers an outer surface of a detent nut screwed to an upper end portion of the vertical shaft or a nut cap attached to the detent nut. The wheel fixing mechanism of the walking vehicle as described in one.

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