JP5302741B2 - Walking aid - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a walking aid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a walking aid having a wheel and a pair of frames that support the wheel at the lower end and are pivotably connected at the upper end.

  As a conventional walking aid having a wheel and a pair of frames that support the wheel at the lower end and are swingably connected at the upper end, for example, as shown in FIG. The front frame 104 and the rear frame 105 that pivotally support the rear wheel 105 and the front frame 104 and the rear frame via a swing shaft 108 provided in the left-right direction on a bracket 107 attached to the upper end side of the front frame 104. The walking aid 100 is connected to a frame 106 so as to be swingable, and a first link 101a whose front end is swingably connected to a lower end side of the front frame 104 by a pin shaft 102b and a rear end is a pin shaft. A second link 101b swingably connected to the lower end side of the rear frame 106 by 102c, the rear end of the first link 101a and the second link The front side of 01b is swingably connected by the pin shaft 102a, and the weight of the front and rear wheels 103 and 105 and the front and rear frames 104 and 106 when the walking aid 100 is lifted and the front and rear wheels 103 and 105 are separated from the ground. The front and rear frames 104, 106 can be naturally closed (that is, folded) without hindering the front frame 104 and the rear frame 106 from closing due to their own weight (in other words, they are not supported). In the use state of the walking aid 100 with the legs 106 open, the connecting portion by the pin shaft 102a is slightly raised (that is, with the pin shaft 102a as the apex) so that both links 101a and 101b form a mountain shape. (Patent Document 1).

Utility Model Registration No. 057260

  However, in the walking aid of Patent Document 1, the front and rear frames 104 and 106 and both links 101a and 101b can be folded naturally by simply lifting up the walking aid 100, but when used in places with unevenness, for example, There is a problem that the front and rear frames 104 and 106 are unexpectedly closed when they are lifted simply to cross the step. Therefore, it cannot be said that the walking aid of Patent Document 1 is excellent in comfort and safety.

  Further, in the walking aid of Patent Document 1, a pin is used in the use state of the walking aid 100 in which the front and rear frames 104 and 106 are opened so that the front and rear frames 104 and 106 are not unexpectedly closed during use. When the link portion 101a, 101b is formed in a valley shape by lowering the connecting portion by the shaft 102a slightly, when the links 101a, 101b are folded, both the links by the pin shaft 102a positioned at the lower part of the walking aid 100 are used. The operation of pushing up the connecting portion of the links 101a and 101b is required, and particularly for elderly people who are assumed to be the main users of the walking aid 100, physically disabled people, injured persons, etc., the links 101a and 101b are connected. There is a problem that the operation of pushing up the part is not appropriate because the operation is heavy.

Accordingly, the present invention is, intended to provide a walking aid which can improve the and is a Ku comfort suitability and safety pair of frames for supporting the wheels, each resulting in閉脚unexpectedly during use To do. Another object of the present invention is to provide a walking aid that is easy to operate on the legs of a pair of frames and that can further improve comfort.

In order to achieve this object, the walking aid according to claim 1 is a walking aid having a wheel and a pair of frames that support the wheel at the lower end and are swingably connected at the upper end. The arch and one frame that are spanned between the two frames are swingable with respect to each of the pair of frames and one end is slidable with respect to one of the pair of frames. And a stop member that restricts downward sliding of the slidable end of the arch, and connects the swing centers of the swingable ends of the arch when the pair of frames are opened. The line segment is inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of one of the frames, and the stop member restricts the slidable end of the arch from moving further downward, and the pair of frames A pair of frame is closed by a line segment in a state of being open leg line segment from the inclined state is inclined more opposite it in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the in a state where the pair of frame is closed There is no gap between the pair of frames so that they can be seen as a whole .

Therefore, according to this walking aid, the line segment connecting the swing centers of both ends of the arch that can swing is inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of one frame, and the arch can be slid by the stop member. Since the one end is restricted from moving further downward, for example, when the walking aid is used in a place with unevenness or lifted, the leg is not closed unexpectedly. In addition, according to this walking aid, since there is no gap between the frames when the pair of frames are closed, it looks like one as a whole when the pair of frames are closed .

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the walking aid according to claim 1, further comprising a sliding rocking shaft for connecting the pair of frames so as to be rockable, and the sliding rocking shaft is formed into a long hole in the front-rear direction. The slidable support is used. In this case, the position of the swing shaft that connects the pair of frames moves in the front-rear direction .

The invention according to claim 3 is the walking aid according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of one of the pair of frames has an engaging claw and the lower end of the other frame has an engaging recess. In the state where the pair of frames are closed, the engaging claw is fitted into the engaging recess and is caught . In this case, the pair of frames are not unexpectedly opened from the closed state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the walking aid of the third aspect, the engaging claw is formed of a resin that is elastically deformed .

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the walking aid according to claim 1 , further comprising a lifting member for lifting one slidable end of the arch in one frame, and the pair of frames comprising a front frame and a rear frame. The arch is slidable with respect to the rear frame, and the stop member and the lifting member are provided on the rear frame . In this case, a member for lifting one end of the arch that can slide is provided on one frame, so that the operation of the closed leg can be easily performed and the frame closer to the user in a normal use state. Since the lifting member is provided on the lid, the operation of the closing leg can be performed more easily .

The invention according to claim 6 is the walking aid according to claim 5 , further comprising a sliding member that can move up and down along one frame between the slidable end of the arch and the stop member. The slidable end of the arch is lifted by lifting the sliding member with the lifting member.

The invention according to claim 7 is the walking aid according to claim 6 , further comprising a spring connecting the stop member and the slide member, and the stop member and the slide member are mutually connected by the action of the spring. The power to attract is demonstrated . In this case, after operating the sliding member once , the sliding member returns to the original state quickly and reliably .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the walking aid according to the first aspect , an axial recess is formed on the side of one of the pair of frames facing the other frame, and the pair of frames are When swinging and closing the leg, at least a part of the other frame enters the recess and is accommodated . In this case, when the pair of frames are closed, it looks like one as a whole.

According to the walking aid of the present invention, for example, when the walking aid is used in an uneven place or lifted, it can be prevented that the leg is closed unexpectedly.・ It is possible to improve comfort and safety. In addition, according to the walking aid of the present invention, since it looks like one as a whole when the pair of frames are closed, it is possible to improve the appearance by making the appearance smart.

Further, according to the walking aid of the present invention, the position of the swing shaft that couples the pair of frames can be moved in the front-rear direction. Even if a finger or the like is pinched between the frames when moving and closing the legs, the rocking shaft moves backward and the frames can be rocked and closed while securing a gap between the frames. Can be improved.

In addition, according to the walking aid of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the legs from being unexpectedly opened from the state where the pair of frames are closed, thereby improving the safety and comfort of using the walking aid. It becomes possible to plan.

Further, according to the walking aid of the present invention, the operation of the closing leg can be easily performed, so that it is possible to improve the convenience of using the walking assistance tool and the comfort of the closing leg operation .

Further, according to the walking aid of the present invention, the sliding member can be quickly and surely returned to the original state after the sliding member is once operated, so that the comfort of using the walking aid can be improved. It becomes possible.

In addition, according to the walking aid of the present invention, since it looks like one as a whole when the pair of frames are closed, it is possible to improve the appearance by making the appearance smart .

It is a figure which shows an example of embodiment of the walking aid of this invention, Comprising: It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state which opened the leg. It is an expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the frame closing leg operation assistance mechanism part of the walking assistance tool of embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the frame closing leg operation assistance mechanism of the walking aid of embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state which closed the walking aid of embodiment. It is an expansion longitudinal cross-sectional view of the frame connection structure part of the walking aid of embodiment. It is an expansion longitudinal cross-sectional view (side surface) of the frame horizontal rocking | fluctuation mechanism part of the walking aid of embodiment. It is an expansion longitudinal cross-sectional view (front) of the frame horizontal rocking | fluctuation mechanism part of the walking aid of embodiment. It is a side view which shows the conventional walking aid. (A) is a figure which shows the state which a pair of flame | frame is open. (B) is a figure showing the state where a pair of frames are closed.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail based on the form shown in the drawings.

  1 to 7 show an example of an embodiment of the walking aid of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the walking aid 1 having the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3 will be described as an example. Here, in this specification, up and down, front and rear, and right and left are defined with reference to the user who uses the walking aid 1. Specifically, the direction of the arrow 31 shown in FIG. 1 is the front direction, the opposite direction is the rear direction, the direction of the arrow 32 is up, the opposite direction is down, and the direction is perpendicular to the arrows 31 and 32. The direction perpendicular to the drawing is the left-right direction.

  The walking aid 1 of the present embodiment includes a front frame 2 and a rear frame 3 whose upper ends are connected to each other by a swing swing shaft 2a, a pair of front wheel tires 4a and 4a disposed opposite to each other, and these A front wheel 4 having an axle 4b provided between the opposed front wheel tires 4a, 4a, the axle 4b being rotatably supported on the lower end of the front frame 2, and a pair of rear tires arranged opposite to the left and right A rear wheel 5 having 5a, 5a and an axle 5b provided between the opposed rear wheel tires 5a, 5a, the axle 5b being rotatably supported at the lower end of the rear frame 3, and the front frame 2 is provided with a handle 6 provided at the upper end of 2, and an arch 8 that is spanned and attached between the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3.

  In the present embodiment, the front frame 2 includes a cylindrical portion 2c having a through hole 2b in the axial direction, and rear side walls 2d and 2d extending from the left and right sides of the cylindrical portion 2c to the rear. A pair of these opposed rear side walls 2d and 2d form a recess in the axial direction that opens toward the rear frame 3 on the side facing the rear frame 3 of the front frame 2, that is, the rear side.

  A pipe 9 passing through the through hole 2a is inserted into the through hole 2b of the front frame 2. The pipe 9 has a cylindrical shape having a through-hole in the axial direction and is longer than the front frame 2. The lower end reaches almost the same position as the lower end of the front frame 2, and the upper end portion protrudes from the upper end of the front frame 2. It is arranged at the position to do.

  An axle support ball 18 is provided at an intermediate portion of the axle 4b of the front wheel 4 so as to have a left and right through hole 18a passing through the center and through which the axle 4b slides.

  An axle support ball holder 17 is provided at the lower end of the through hole 2b of the front frame 2 to hold the axle support ball 18 slidably and support the axle 4b of the front wheel 4. In the present embodiment, the columnar projection protruding from the upper end surface of the axle support ball holder 17 is inserted into the through hole of the pipe 9 provided in the through hole 2b, and both are screwed to support the axle. A ball holder 17 is provided at the lower end of the front frame 2.

  The rear frame 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a through hole 3d in the axial direction. Further, the rear frame 3 includes an elongated through hole guide 3b formed by cutting the front surface of the peripheral wall from the lower end toward the upper side in the axial direction, and a through hole 3a provided on the rear surface of the peripheral wall.

  A rear wheel holder 5c is attached to the lower end of the rear frame 3 to support the axle 5b of the rear wheel 5 so as to be rotatable.

  The handle 6 includes a gripping portion 6a, a main shaft 6b formed continuously from the front end of the gripping portion 6a, and a plate-like connecting unit cover portion provided at the lower end of the main shaft 6b and projecting rearward from the main shaft 6b. 6c and a cylindrical insertion portion 6d provided to extend from the lower end surface of the connection unit cover portion 6c in the same direction as the main shaft 6b. In the present embodiment, the grip portion 6a / main shaft 6b and the connecting unit cover portion 6c / insertion portion 6d are configured as separate members.

  Further, the main shaft 6b has an opening at the lower end surface and has a recess in the axial direction into which the pipe 9 is inserted. Further, the connecting unit cover portion 6 c has a through hole for allowing the pipe 9 to pass therethrough, and the insertion portion 6 d is formed as a peripheral wall along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 9.

  The handle 6 is attached to the upper end of a pipe 9 provided through the through hole 2b of the front frame 2. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 9 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 2b of the front frame 2 with the pipe 9 inserted into the through hole 2b of the front frame 2 and the upper end portion protruding from the upper end of the front frame 2 The insertion portion 6d is inserted into the gap between the connecting unit cover portion 6c and the upper end portion of the front frame 2 and the main shaft 6b is fitted to the upper end portion of the pipe 9. The main shaft 6b is fixed to the upper end portion of the pipe 9 by a screw passing through the peripheral wall of the main shaft 6b and the peripheral wall of the pipe 9, and the handle 6 is provided at the upper end of the front frame 2. The pipe 9 is slidable with respect to the front frame 2 and is rotatable about the shaft. The grip 6a and the main shaft 6b are fixedly attached to the upper end of the pipe 9, and the axle support ball holder 17 and the front wheel are attached to the lower end. Since 4 is fixed and attached, the direction of the front wheel 4 can be controlled by operating the grip 6a.

  The arch 8 is spanned between the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3, and the front and rear frames together with a slider block 7 as a sliding member and a stopper block 11 as a stop member provided at a position near the lower end of the rear frame 3. It serves to limit the degree of opening of the legs 2 and 3 and to lock the opened state of the front and rear frames 2 and 3, and to assist the closing operation of the front and rear frames 2 and 3.

  Specifically, the arch 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a through-hole in the axial direction, and the front end portion is inserted between both rear side walls 2d and 2d of the front frame 2 and is formed at a position near the front end. Bolts 8c and nuts (not shown) that slidably penetrate the left and right through holes 8a and are screwed through the left and right through holes formed at positions near the lower ends of the rear side walls 2d and 2d. Is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the front frame 2.

  In addition, the rear end of the arch 8 is L-shaped, and a left and right through hole 8e is formed near the end of one side, and the other side is inserted into the through hole of the arch 8. 8b is attached. Then, the slider shaft 8f is inserted into the through hole 8e of the joint portion 8b, and a pair of left and right guide rollers 8g and 8g are attached to both ends of the slider shaft 8f with the joint portion 8b interposed therebetween. The joint portion 8b can smoothly move up and down in the through hole 3d of the rear frame 3 by the action of the slider shaft 8f and the pair of guide rollers 8g and 8g.

  The joint portion 8b is inserted into the through hole 3d from the lower end opening of the rear frame 3 with the slider shaft 8f and the pair of guide rollers 8g and 8g attached. At this time, the side of the L-shaped joint portion 8b to which the slider shaft 8f and the guide rollers 8g and 8g are attached projects downward in the through hole 3d, and the other side passes through the guide 3b to arch. It arrange | positions so that the inside of 8 may be projected ahead. The rear end portion of the arch 8 is connected to the rear frame 3 through the joint portion 8b so as to be slidable and swingable in the vertical direction.

  Further, after the joint portion 8b is inserted into the through hole 3d, the columnar slider block 7 and the stopper block 11 are inserted into the through hole 3d from the lower end opening of the rear frame 3. In the through hole 3d, the slider block 7 is disposed on the upper side and the stopper block 11 is disposed on the lower side. The slider block 7 is formed in a size that can slide in the through hole 3d. The stopper block 11 is fixed to the lower end portion of the rear frame 3 by bolts 5d and 5d that pass through the stopper block 11 and the rear peripheral wall of the rear frame 3 and fit into the rear wheel holder 5c.

  Then, the guide rollers 8g and 8g attached to the joint portion 8b at the rear end of the arch 8 come into contact with the upper end surface of the slider block 7, so that the degree of opening of the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3 is limited. At this time, in this embodiment, for example, the dimension of the joint portion 8b, the dimension of the slider block 7, the dimension of the stopper block 11 and the attachment so that the axial center direction of the rear frame 3 and the axial center direction of the arch 8 are perpendicular to each other. The position etc. are adjusted.

  By adopting the above-described configuration, that is, the shape of the joint portion 8b of L-shape, the position where the through-hole 8e is formed, and the arrangement of the joint portion 8b with respect to the arch 8 and the rear frame 3, the through-hole 8e It will be located below the axial position. Therefore, a line segment connecting the center of the through hole 8a and the bolt 8c that is the swing center of the front end portion of the arch 8 and the center of the through hole 8e and the slider shaft 8f that is the swing center of the rear end portion (hereinafter referred to as swinging). (Referred to as an axis) is inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rear frame 3.

  Specifically, the inclination of the swing axis with respect to the vertical direction of the axial direction of the rear frame 3 is an angle formed by the swing axis and the axial direction of the rear frame 3 with the centers of the through hole 8e and the slider shaft 8f as vertices. Among them, the tilt is performed in such a manner that the upper angle of the swing axis is smaller than the right angle and the lower angle of the swing axis is larger than the right angle.

  Since the arch 8 is attached such that the swing axis is inclined in the above-described manner with respect to the vertical direction of the rear frame 3 axis, the front and rear wheels 4, for example, when the walking aid 1 is lifted up. The weight of 5 and the weight of the front and rear frames 2 and 3 cause a force to close the front and rear frames 2 and 3, or a force to close the front and rear frames 2 and 3 is applied when used in an uneven area. The joint 8b at the rear end of the arch 8 tends to move downward in the through hole 3d of the rear frame 3.

  However, since there is a stopper block 11 fixed to the lower end portion of the rear frame 3 and a slider block 7 whose downward movement is restricted by the stopper block 11, the joint portion 8 b moves downward in the rear frame 3. And the tilt of the arch 8 is restricted, and the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3 cannot be closed (that is, the open leg state of the front and rear frames 2 and 3 is locked).

  When the walking aid 1 of the present invention does not naturally (or unexpectedly) close the leg from the state in which the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3 are opened, the user tries to tap the walking aid 1. And a mechanism for assisting in closing the front and rear frames 2 and 3 so that the operation can be performed easily (hereinafter referred to as a frame closing leg operation assisting mechanism).

  The frame closing leg operation assisting mechanism includes a knob 21 and a string 22 as lifting members. The lower end of the cord 22 is connected to the upper end portion of the slider block 7 via the locking member 22a, the intermediate portion is disposed in the through hole 3d of the rear frame 3, and the upper end is the slider block 7 on the rear surface of the peripheral wall of the rear frame 3. From the through-hole 3 a provided above, the outer frame 3 comes out of the rear frame 3 and is connected to a ball-shaped knob 21.

  In the present embodiment, the slider block 7 and the stopper block 11 are connected by a coil spring 15. Specifically, the coil spring 15 has annular locking portions 15 a and 15 a at both ends, and the upper annular locking portion 15 a is fitted to a spring locking shaft 7 a provided at the intermediate portion of the slider block 7 and at the lower end. The annular locking portion 15a is fitted to a spring locking shaft 11a provided at an intermediate portion of the stopper block 11, and the slider block 7 and the stopper block 11 are connected so as to exert an attractive force.

  Then, when the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3 are closed and the walking aid 1 is folded, the user lifts the knob 21 to release the locked state of the front and rear frames 2 and 3 by the arch 8. be able to.

  Specifically, when the knob 21 is lifted, the slider block 7 is lifted via a string 22 as a lifting member, and the arch 8 swings around the through hole 8a and the bolt 8c at the front end of the arch 8. When the swing axis is perpendicular to the axial direction of the rear frame 3 and the knob 21 is further lifted, the slider block 7 is lifted and the arch 8 is further swung, the swing axis becomes the axis of the rear frame 3. It becomes inclined with respect to the vertical direction (FIG. 3).

  Here, according to the configuration of the present embodiment in which the knob 21 is located above the arch 8, there is no need for the user of the walking aid 1 to squat down and push up the arch 8, so that the elderly or the physically handicapped It is possible to fold the walking aid 1 by releasing the lock of the front and rear frames 2 and 3 in an open state without performing an operation that causes a heavy burden on an injured person or the like.

  The inclination of the swing axis with respect to the vertical direction of the axial center direction of the rear frame 3 due to the lifting of the slider block 7 by the operation of the knob 21 is specifically the swing axis with the centers of the through hole 8e and the slider shaft 8f as vertices. Of the axis of the rear frame 3 is inclined such that the upper angle of the swing axis is larger than the right angle and the lower angle of the swing axis is smaller than the right angle.

  In this case, the joint portion 8b moves upward in the through hole 3d of the rear frame 3 with the through hole 8a and the bolt 8c as the swing center, and the arch 8 is further inclined with respect to the rear frame 3. The arch 8 unlocks the front and rear frames 2 and 3 in the opened state.

  Then, when the walking aid 1 is lifted upward in the state shown in FIG. 3, the front and rear frames 2 and 2 are swung around the sliding rocking shaft 2 a by the weight of the front and rear wheels 4 and 5 and the weight of the front and rear frames 2 and 3. As a result, the joint 8b moves upward in the through hole 3d of the rear frame 3, and the arch 8 increases the inclination between the front and rear frames 2 and 3.

  Finally, in the present embodiment, the arch 8 and the front side portion of the rear frame 3 are accommodated in the axial recess formed by the two rear side walls 2d, 2d of the front frame 2, and a pair of left and right facings are accommodated. The front portion of the rear wheel tires 5a and 5a enters between the front wheel tires 4a and 4a (FIG. 4). At this time, the direction of the axial center of the rear frame 3 is not deviated by the action of the arch 8, that is, both the frames are closed when the axial center position of the front frame 2 and the axial center position of the rear frame 3 coincide with each other. Therefore, the rear frame 3 surely enters the recess in the axial direction of the front frame 2. Further, the action of the arch 8 prevents deformation caused by twisting of the front and rear frames 2 and 3 that are swingably connected. That is, the arch 8 improves the comfort and strength of the leg closing operation of the front and rear frames 2 and 3.

  As a result, the walking aid 1 of the present embodiment becomes thinner as a whole when the front and rear frames 2 and 3 are closed. Further, compared to a state in which the conventional walking aid is folded (for example, FIG. 8B), since there is no gap between the front and rear frames 2 and 3, it looks as a whole and looks good. . Even when the front and rear frames 2 and 3 are closed, the walking aid 1 is independent.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the slider 21 is lifted up by lifting the knob 21 until the swing axis is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the axial center of the rear frame 3, and the front and rear frames 2, 3 are in the open leg state. It is not necessary to operate the knob 21 after releasing the lock. In this embodiment, the slider block 7 and the stopper block 11 are connected to each other by the coil spring 15 so as to exert an attractive force to each other. Therefore, when the force for lifting the knob 21 is loosened, the slider block 7 is moved to the stopper block 11. 11 is attracted. As a result, the cord 22 that once comes out from the through hole 3a on the rear surface of the peripheral wall of the rear frame 3 in accordance with the operation of the knob 21 is pulled back into the through hole 3d of the rear frame 3, and the knob 21 is pressed against the through hole 3a. Fixed.

  Furthermore, the walking aid 1 of the present embodiment prevents the front and rear frames 2 and 3 from being opened naturally (in other words, unexpectedly) from the state in which the front and rear frames 2 and 3 are closed. A locking mechanism is provided.

  The lock mechanism of the present embodiment includes an engagement claw 19a formed at the lower portion of the axle support ball holder 17 and an engagement recess 19b provided on the lower surface of the rear wheel holder 5c.

  In the present embodiment, the engaging claw 19a is formed by an elastic member, and protrudes rearward in a state where the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3 are closed, and a belt-like protrusion having a semicircular longitudinal section is formed on the rear edge. Is formed.

  Then, when the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3 are closed from the opened state, the rear end side is pushed down when the projection on the rear edge of the engaging claw 19a contacts the lower end corner of the front surface of the axle support ball holder 17. The engagement claw 19a is curved, and in this state, the projection at the rear edge slides on the lower surface of the rear wheel holder 5c, and the rear edge of the engagement claw 19a in a state where the front and rear frames 2 and 3 are completely closed. The projection is fitted into the engaging recess 19b and is caught. Thereby, the front and rear frames 2 and 3 are not naturally opened.

  On the other hand, when the front and rear frames 2 and 3 are opened from the closed state, if the grip 6a of the handle 6 is gripped and a force for pushing down the grip 6a is applied, the front frame 2 and the pipe 9 are engaged. The force that pushes down the joint claw 19a acts to weaken the force with which the protrusion at the rear edge is hooked into the engagement recess 19b, and the grip portion 6a projects rearward with respect to the main shaft 6b of the handle 6 and the axis of the front frame 2. For this reason, the force of the axle support ball holder 17 to move forward acts by the action of the lever with the front end portion (and the sliding rocking shaft 2a) of the grip portion 6a as a fulcrum, and the engagement claw 19a is caused by these actions. Disengage from the engaging recess 19b.

  As described above, according to the lock mechanism of the present embodiment, when the engagement claw 19a is fitted in the engagement recess 19b and hooked to be locked, the front and rear frames 2, 3 due to the weight of the front and rear wheels 4, 5 and the like. Can be locked by using the force to close the leg, and when the engagement claw 19a is released from the engagement recess 19b and the lock is released, the grip 6a of the handle 6 is pushed down. Therefore, the lock and unlock can be realized without directly operating the lock mechanism provided at the lower part of the walking aid 1.

  The walking aid 1 of the present embodiment has a sliding rocking shaft 2a for connecting the pair of front and rear frames 2 and 3 so as to be rockable, and the sliding rocking shaft 2a is formed by a long hole 20a in the front-rear direction. The connecting structure is slidably supported.

  In the present embodiment, a joint member 3 f for connecting the rear frame 3 to the front frame 2 is attached to the upper end portion of the rear frame 3. The joint member 3f includes an insertion portion 3h to be inserted into the through hole 3d of the rear frame 3, and a connecting portion 3i formed in a plate-like shape standing vertically above the insertion portion 3h and having the through hole 3g. Become. The joint member 3f has a screw hole in the insertion portion 3h, and is attached to the rear frame 3 by being screwed in a state where the insertion portion 3h is inserted into the upper end portion of the through hole 3d. Further, the joint member 3f is attached to the rear frame 3 in a state where the plate-like connecting portions 3i are arranged in the front-rear direction (that is, the through hole 3g is in the left-right direction).

  The walking aid 1 of the present embodiment includes a sliding swing shaft 2a and is attached to the upper end of the front frame 2 so that the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3 can swing, in other words, the sliding swing shaft. The frame joint 20 is connected so as to be swingable open and close freely around 2a.

  The frame joint 20 includes a mounting portion 20e inserted between the two rear side walls 2d and 2d of the front frame 2, and a holding portion 20f extending rearward from the upper portion of the mounting portion 20e. The frame joint 20 has a gap 20g provided through the attachment portion 20e and the holding portion 20f in the front-rear direction. Further, the frame joint 20 has a fixed shaft through-hole 20b in the left-right direction at a position near the lower end of the mounting portion 20e, and has a fixed screw through-hole 20c in the left-right direction at a portion protruding from the upper end of the holding portion 20f. .

  A plate-like connecting portion 3i of the joint member 3f of the rear frame 3 is inserted into the gap 20g. The gap 20g holds the connecting portion 3i so as to be slidable from both left and right sides.

  Further, on the left and right side walls forming the gap 20g in the holding portion 20f, swing shaft support slots for supporting both ends of the slide swing shaft 2a disposed in the left-right direction so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. 20a is formed in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the swing shaft support slot 20a is a recess or a through hole in the front-rear direction facing the pair of left and right side walls forming the gap 20g of the frame joint 20 from the mounting portion 20e to the holding portion 20f. Formed as. In the present embodiment, the swing shaft support slot 20a is formed as a hole penetrating the left and right side walls that form the gap 20g in the mounting portion 20e, and is opposed to the holding portion 20f across the gap 20g. It is formed as a recess.

  In the rear frame 3, the connecting portion 3i of the joint member 3f is inserted into the gap 20g of the frame joint 20, and passes through the through hole 3g provided in the connecting portion 3i. The frame joint 20 is pivotally supported so as to be slidable and slidable via a sliding oscillating shaft 2a supported at both ends thereof.

  Further, the frame joint 20 is formed in the fixed shaft through hole 20b formed in the mounting portion 20e and the rear side walls 2d and 2d while the mounting portion 20e is inserted between both the rear side walls 2d and 2d of the front frame 2. A through-fixing shaft 23 penetrating through the left and right through holes 2e, 2e is inserted and attached to the upper end of the front frame 2.

  In addition, the handle 6 has a protruding portion in which a through-hole in the left-right direction is formed on the lower surface of a plate-like connecting unit cover portion 6c projecting rearward with respect to the main shaft 6b. The connecting unit cover portion 6c and the frame joint 20 are fixed to each other by a screw 20d that passes through the through hole of the projection and the fixing screw through hole 20c of the frame joint 20.

  According to the walking aid of the present invention having the above-described configuration, in the normal case, when the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3 are swung to close the legs, a force for attracting the front and rear frames 2 and 3 works. Therefore, the front and rear frames 2 and 3 are closed while the sliding rocking shaft 2a is pressed against the front end of the rocking shaft support slot 20a.

  On the other hand, when a finger or the like is caught between the front and rear frames 2 and 3 when swinging the front and rear frames 2 and 3 to close the legs, the sliding rocking shaft 2a is moved to the rocking shaft support slot 20a. The rear frame 3 continues to swing with respect to the front frame 2 while moving to a position near the rear end to secure a gap between the front and rear frames 2 and 3, and the front and rear frames 2 and 3 keep a gap between them. Close the legs.

  Therefore, according to the walking aid of the present invention having the above configuration, the position of the swing shaft 2a that couples the pair of frames 2 and 3 can be moved in the front-rear direction. Even if a finger or the like is pinched between the front and rear frames 2 and 3 when it is swung around the swing shaft 2a and closed, the swing shaft 2a moves rearward to leave a gap between the front and rear frames 2 and 3. The frames can be closed while being generated, and safety can be improved.

  Further, according to the walking aid of the present invention having the above-described configuration, it is possible to eliminate a gap between the frames when the pair of frames are swung and closed without impairing safety. The appearance can be improved along with the sex.

  Furthermore, the walking aid 1 of this embodiment has a mechanism that can tilt only the frame left and right without affecting the axle direction of the wheel, in other words, independent of the axle of the wheel.

  In the present embodiment, specifically, an axle shaft having a left and right through hole 18a passing through the center and slidably penetrating the axle 4b of the front wheel 4 through the through hole 18a is provided at an intermediate portion of the axle 4b. A support ball 18 and an axle support ball holder 17 which is provided at the lower end of the front frame 2 and slidably holds the axle support ball 18 slidably move only the front frame 2 left and right independently of the axle 4 b of the front wheel 4. Can be tilted.

  That is, since the front frame 2 and the axle 4b are connected by the axle support sphere holder 17 and the axle support sphere 18, the front frame 2 can tilt in any of the front, rear, left and right directions with respect to the axle 4b. When a force in the left-right direction is applied to the handle 6 in the state of use, only the front frame 2 can be tilted independently of the axle 4b (in other words, the front frame 2 is centered on the axle support ball 18). It can swing with respect to the axle 4b) (FIG. 7).

  As a result, when the user of the walking aid 1 changes the traveling direction, only the front frame 2 can be tilted while both the pair of wheels 4a and 4a are in contact with the ground, so that it is easy, safe and comfortable. It becomes possible to change the direction of travel.

  In the present embodiment, a spring accommodating space 17a that communicates with the space is provided below the space for holding the axle support sphere 18 of the axle support sphere holder 17. In addition, a spring receiver 18b protruding into the spring receiving space 17a is formed on the lower end surface of the axle support ball 18.

  Further, coil springs 18c and 18c are provided on the left and right sides of the spring receiver 18b in the accommodating space 17a, interposed in the left-right direction between the side surface of the spring receiver 18b and the side wall of the accommodating space 17a.

  As a result, when only the front frame 2 is tilted to the left or right independently of the axle 4b, one of the left and right coil springs 18c, 18c is compressed. It is intended to maintain the posture in which the front frame 2 is upright by correcting the inclination of the frame.

  In addition, although the above-mentioned form is an example of the suitable form of this invention, it is not limited to this, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, in the present embodiment, a walking aid provided with a pair of front and rear wheels arranged in two front and rear positions has been described as an example. The present invention may be applied to a walking aid provided.

  In the present embodiment, the pipe 9 is rotatable about the front frame 2 and the direction of the front wheel 4 can be controlled by operating the grip 6a. On the other hand, being variable is not an essential configuration in the present invention, and the frame closing leg assisting mechanism of the present invention can be applied even when the front wheel 4 is fixedly attached to the front frame 2.

  In this embodiment, the slider block 7 and the stopper block 11 are connected by the coil spring 15 so as to exert the attractive force of the slider block 7 and the stopper block 11, but both the blocks 7 and 11 are connected by the coil spring 15. This is not an essential configuration in the present invention. That is, even if the coil spring 15 is not provided, if the knob 21 is lifted to release the locked state of the front and rear frames 2 and 3 and then the force to lift the knob 21 is loosened, the slider block 7 can be lifted by its own weight. Since the string 22 is moved downward in 3d and pulled back into the through hole 3d of the rear frame 3 and the knob 21 is pressed and fixed to the through hole 3a, the frame closing leg operation assisting mechanism of the present invention is operable. is there.

  In this embodiment, the string 22 as a lifting member is connected to the slider block 7 and the arch 8 is swung by lifting the slider block 7. However, the use of the slider block 7 is not limited to the present invention. This is not an essential configuration. That is, the string 22 may be directly connected to the rear end portion of the arch 8, the string 22 may be pulled up, and the rear end portion of the arch 8 may be directly lifted to swing the arch 8.

  Further, in this embodiment, the center of the rear frame 3 and the axis of the arch 8 are perpendicular to each other, and the L-shaped joint portion 8b is used so that the swing center of the front end of the arch 8 can be obtained. The swing axis that is a line segment connecting the center of the rear end and the swing center of the rear end is inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rear frame 3. It is not an essential configuration in the present invention that the axis direction of the vertical axis is perpendicular to the vertical direction of the axis direction of the rear frame 3 in the present invention. It is. Therefore, for example, when the L-shaped joint portion 8b is used, no matter what the axial center direction of the arch 8 is with the axial center direction of the rear frame 3, it is perpendicular to the axial direction of the rear frame 3. If the swing axis is inclined with respect to the direction, the frame closing leg operation assisting mechanism of the present invention operates. Further, without using the L-shaped joint portion 8b, a swing center is provided at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the arch 8, that is, the axial direction of the arch 8 is the same as the swing axis direction. Thus, even if the axial direction of the arch 8 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the axial direction of the rear frame 3, the frame closing leg assisting mechanism of the present invention operates.

  In the present embodiment, a locking mechanism is provided to prevent the front and rear frames 2 and 3 from being opened from the closed state. Even if the lock mechanism is not provided, the frame closing leg operation assisting mechanism of the present invention can be operated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a sliding rocking shaft 2a is provided to connect the front and rear frames 2 and 3, and the front and rear frames 2 and 3 can swing around the sliding rocking shaft 2a and the sliding rocking shaft 2a. However, the use of the sliding rocking shaft 2a is not an essential configuration in the present invention. That is, even if the swing shaft that simply connects the front and rear frames 2 and 3 so as to be swingable is used and the swing shaft cannot slide backward relative to the front frame 2, the frame closing leg operation assist mechanism of the present invention. Will work.

  In this embodiment, the slider block 7 and the stopper block 11 are provided on the rear frame 3, but may be provided on the front frame 2 in some cases. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the slider block 7 and the stopper block 11 are provided in the through hole of the frame, but may be provided so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the frame.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Walking aid 2 Front frame 2a Sliding rocking shaft 3 Rear frame 4 Front wheel 5 Rear wheel 8 Arch 20 Frame joint 20a Swing shaft support slot

Claims (8)

  A walking aid having a wheel and a pair of frames that support the wheel at the lower end and are swingably connected at the upper end, spanned between the pair of frames, and both ends of the pair of frames. An arch that is swingable with respect to each other and has one end slidable with respect to one frame of the pair of frames and a lower end of the slidable end of the arch provided on the one frame And a segment connecting the swing centers of the swingable ends of the arch in a state where the pair of frames are opened, is a shaft center of the one frame. The slidable end of the arch is restricted from moving further downward by the stop member, and the pair of frames are opened. In the state, the pair of frames are closed and the pair of frames are closed by tilting the line segment in the vertical direction from the state in which the line segment is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The walking aid is characterized in that there is no gap between the pair of frames and the whole looks like one.   2. The walking assisting device according to claim 1, further comprising a sliding rocking shaft for slidably connecting the pair of frames, and the sliding rocking shaft is slidably supported by a long hole in the front-rear direction. Ingredients.   The engaging claw has an engaging claw at the lower end of one of the pair of frames and an engaging recess at the lower end of the other frame, and the engaging claw is in the engaging recess in a state where the pair of frames are closed. The walking aid according to claim 1, wherein the walking aid is hooked onto the hook.   The walking aid according to claim 3, wherein the engaging claw is formed of a resin that is elastically deformed.   The one frame further includes a lifting member that lifts one slidable end of the arch, the pair of frames includes a front frame and a rear frame, and the arch is slidable with respect to the rear frame. The walking aid according to claim 1, wherein the stop member and the lifting member are provided on the rear frame. There is further provided a sliding member that can move up and down along the one frame between the slidable end of the arch and the stop member, and the sliding member is lifted by the lifting member to lift the arch. The walking aid according to claim 5, wherein one end that can slide is lifted.   The spring according to claim 6, further comprising a spring connecting the stop member and the sliding member, wherein a force attracting the stop member and the sliding member is exerted by the action of the spring. Walking aids.   An axial recess is formed on the side of one of the pair of frames facing the other frame, and at least one of the other frame is in the recess when the pair of frames swings and closes. The walking assisting device according to claim 1, wherein the portion is contained and accommodated.

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