JPH10137296A - Wheelchair provided with rocking chair function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need of the attaching/detaching operation of a swinging leg body for chair by freely vertically movably attaching a pair of the left and right swinging leg bodies whose lower surface is curved in an expanded shape downwards to a wheelchair car body and freely changing the position of the left and right side swinging leg bodies between a lowered/grounded position and an elevated/non-grounded position. SOLUTION: The wheelchair main body 1 is provided with an elevating and lowering mechanism 2, a pair of the left and right swinging leg bodies 3 and left and right side rear wheels 4 are attached to the elevating and lowering mechanism 2 and the left and right side swinging leg bodies 3 and the left and right side rear wheels 4 are made freely vertically movable by the elevating and lowering mechanism 2. Also, the main body machine frame 10 of the wheelchair main body 1 is provided with a seat part 11, the left and right side front wheels 12 of a caster type, the foot mounting part 13 of a spring-up storage type and a handle 14 for hand pushing. When an elevating/lowering operation part 21 is pulled upwards from a wheelchair using form for which the swinging leg bodies 3 are in an elevated/non-grounded state, from the state where the swinging leg bodies 3 are lowered/grounded, change to a rocking using form for which the left and right side front/rear wheels 12 and 4 are in the elevated/non-grounded state is performed further.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheelchair having a rocking chair function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, wheelchairs used in hospitals and the like are designed so that people with physical disabilities can move on their own or be pushed by an attendant.

[0003] However, if the wheelchair does not have enough physical strength to move on its own and there is no attendant, the wheelchair is
It could only function as a chair.

[0004] In addition, hospitalized elderly people with weak physical strength often become bedridden even if they have a wheelchair, because they do not have enough physical strength to move the wheelchair by themselves. Was getting worse.

Accordingly, the applicant of the present application has filed an earlier application (Japanese Patent Application No.
As described in No. 5-18353), we have developed a swingable wheelchair leg that can be detachably attached to the wheel of a wheelchair and convert the wheelchair into a rocking chair.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned swinging leg for a wheelchair requires a work of attaching and detaching to and from a wheelchair, and such a work is troublesome.

[0007]

Accordingly, in the present invention, a pair of left and right swinging legs formed on a wheelchair body by extending in the front-rear direction and curving the lower surface so as to bulge downward are movable up and down. And the left and right swinging legs can be repositioned between a lowering / grounding position that supports the wheelchair body to swing back and forth and an ascending / non-grounding position supported by the wheelchair body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair having a characteristic rocking chair function.

Further, according to the present invention, an elevating mechanism is provided on a wheelchair body having left and right front wheels, and the elevating mechanism is formed by extending in the front-rear direction and curving the lower surface so as to bulge downward. Attach a pair of left and right swing legs and left and right rear wheels,
The right and left swinging legs and the left and right rear wheels can be moved up and down by the lifting mechanism, respectively, and the right and left front and rear wheels are linked to the rising and non-grounding operations with the left and right swinging legs. It is also characterized in that the lowering / grounding operations of the left and right front / rear wheels are linked to the raising / non-grounding operations of the left and right swinging legs.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

That is, in the present invention, a pair of left and right swinging legs are mounted on the wheelchair body so as to be able to move up and down, and the left and right swinging legs are configured to support the wheelchair body so as to swing back and forth.
The position can be freely changed between a contact position and a raised / non-contact position supported by the wheelchair body.

[0011] In this way, the wheelchair can be easily changed between the use form as a normal wheelchair and the use form as a rocking chair.

As a result, in particular, elderly people who are hospitalized and who cannot move their wheelchairs on their own will prefer to use wheelchairs as rocking chairs, which will cause them to leave the bed.

When the wheelchair is used as a rocking chair, the wheelchair body shakes to disperse the pressure applied to the buttocks of the user, so that it is possible to sit for a long time and, furthermore, the shaking improves "vertigo". In addition, the whole body can be adjusted, and the rehabilitation effect of the lower limbs can be obtained by kicking the wheelchair and swinging the wheelchair.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a wheelchair having a rocking chair function according to the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a usage form as a wheelchair, and FIG. FIG. 3 shows a usage form as a rocking chair while the usage mode is being changed. F is a floor.

As shown in FIG. 1, a wheelchair A is provided with an elevating mechanism 2 on a wheelchair main body 1 having the same basic structure as a foldable wheelchair generally used in hospitals and the like. A pair of left and right swinging legs 3, 3 and left and right rear wheels 4, 4 are mounted on the vehicle, and the left and right swinging legs 3, 3 and left and right rear wheels 4, 4 can be moved up and down by an elevating mechanism 2, respectively. It is composed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wheelchair main body 1 includes a seat 11 and caster-type left and right front wheels 12, 12 on a main body frame 10.
And the retractable footrests 13 and 13 and the push handle 1
4,14 are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lifting mechanism 2 includes a pair of left and right link mechanism sections 20, 20, and both link mechanism sections.
An elevating operation unit 21 is provided between the 20, 20 rear ends.

The pair of left and right link mechanisms 20, 20 are configured symmetrically. The structure of one link mechanism 20, as shown in FIG. The front end of the first link 22 is connected to the upper part of the front vertical frame 10a to be formed by a first connecting pin 24 whose axis is oriented in the left-right direction via a connecting bracket 23.
The front end of the second link 25 is connected to the rear end by a second connecting pin 26 whose axis is oriented in the left-right direction, and the front end of the third link 27 is oriented to the rear end of the second link 25 in the left-right direction. The third link 27 is connected by a third connecting pin 28, and the middle part of the third link 27 is oriented in the left-right direction via the pivot bracket 29 on the upper part of the rear vertical frame 10 b forming a part of the body frame 10. Pivot pin
It is pivoted by 30.

Further, the upper end of the front link 31 is connected to the second connecting pin 26, and the front end of the swinging leg 3 described later is connected to the lower end of the front link 31 by a fourth connecting pin 32 whose axis is oriented in the left-right direction.
The rear link 33 is connected to a portion of the third link 27 which is located substantially between the third connection pin 28 and the pivot pin 30.
The upper end of the swing leg 3 is connected to the lower end of the rear link 33 by a sixth connecting pin 35 having the left and right axes oriented to the lower end of the rear link 33. ing.

The axle 4a of the rear wheel 4 is pivotally supported via a boss 36 at a portion of the third link 27 located behind the pivot pin 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the elevating operation part 21 includes a pair of left and right operation part forming plates 21a, 21 extending in the left-right direction.
a and the left end of the left operating portion forming plate 21a is connected to the rear end of the third link 27 of the left link mechanism portion 20 by the left hinge 41,
The right end of the right operating portion forming plate 21a is connected to the rear end of the third link 27 of the right link mechanism portion 20 by the right hinge 42, and the two operating portion forming plates 21a, 21a are aligned on the same straight line in the left-right direction. The posture can be changed between a use state in which the shape is straight and a folded state in which the shape is bent forward.

In this manner, the swinging legs 3, 3 shown in FIG.
The lifting operation unit 21 in the use state of the wheelchair in a state where the swinging leg 3 is ascended and non-grounded is pulled up, so that the swinging legs 3 and 3 shown in FIG. The left and right front and rear wheels 12, 12, 4, 4 shown can be changed to the rocking use form in the raised / non-ground state, and can be changed to the opposite use form by performing the opposite operation. I have to.

The swinging leg 3 is, as shown in FIGS.
The leg body 3a is formed integrally with the leg body 3a formed by extending in the front-rear direction and curving downward and bulging downward, and the reinforcing rib 3b formed along the upper surface of the leg body 3a. Reinforcement rib
The front end of 3b is connected to the lower end of the front link 31 by a fourth connecting pin 32, while the rear of the reinforcing rib 3b is connected to the lower end of the rear link 33 by a sixth connecting pin 35.

The main body frame 10 restricts the link mechanism 20 so that the left and right swing legs 3, 3 and the left and right rear wheels 4, 4
Are locked to the ascending / non-contact position or the descending / contact position, respectively, and are provided with means for preventing lateral swing in the left-right direction. These means will be described below.

That is, the front vertical frame 10 of the main body frame 10
a, a first link restricting means 55 is provided as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6.
In the middle of the front side vertical frame 10a, a regulating projection 56 projecting rearward is provided, while a projecting piece 57 is attached to the inner surface of the rear end of the first link 22. Are installed at an interval that allows insertion.

As described above, when the swing leg 3 is lowered to be used as a rocking chair, the regulating projection 56 is moved in conjunction with the downward movement of the first link 22. It is inserted between the first link 22 and the protruding piece receiving piece 57, and the lateral protrusion of the first link in the left-right direction can be restricted by the restricting protruding piece 56.

In the middle of the front vertical frame 10a,
As shown in FIG. 6, the swinging leg 3 in the raised / non-contact position
A safety cover 58 that covers the front and outside of the front end of the swing leg 3 is attached to prevent the front end of the swinging leg 3 from interfering with another object in the use form as a wheelchair. I have.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 7 to 9, the seat forming frame 10c forming a part of the main body frame 10 has
A second link restricting means 45 is provided. The second link restricting means 45 vertically suspends an upwardly extending support shaft 46 extending vertically in the middle of the seat forming frame 10c. 46
The lower end portion of the lift control body 47 is pivotally supported at an intermediate portion, and the lift control body 47 is rotatable on a horizontal plane about a lift control body support shaft 46. A regulating posture holding spring 48 is interposed between the frame 10c and the regulating piece 47 formed on the outer end of the rising regulating body 47 by the regulating posture holding spring 48.
a moves forward to a position for restricting the elevation of the second link 25, and adopts an elevation regulation posture for restricting the elevation of the second link 25. 49 is an ascending regulator.

Further, on the upper surface of the regulating piece 47a of the ascending regulating body 47, a guide inclined surface 47b is formed which is inclined downward and outward, and as shown in FIGS. When it descends further, it slides on the guide inclined surface 27b and
It has a guidance function to move below a.

An interlocking wire 51 is interposed between a wire connecting piece 47c formed at the inner end of the ascent control body 47 and a regulation release lever 50 provided on the left hand pushing handle 14. And the interlocking wire 51 slidably inserts the inner wire 51b into the outer wire 51a.
At both ends of 51a, the outer casing 52
It is fixed to.

Thus, the left hand pushing handle is provided.
When the regulation release lever 50 is operated by gripping both the regulation release lever 50 and the regulation release lever 50, the inner wire 51b is slid backward, and the upward regulation body 47 is rotated clockwise in a plan view shown in FIG. By moving the restricting piece 47a from the rising restriction posture to the restriction releasing position where it does not interfere with the second link 25, the posture can be changed to the lifting restriction releasing posture.

Further, when the restriction release lever 50 is released, the elevation regulating body 47 can be restored to the elevation regulating posture by the elastic biasing force of the regulating posture holding spring 48.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 10, and 11, the lower side frame 10d forming a part of the main body frame 10 is provided with a third link restricting means 60. The link restricting means 60 attaches a locking piece support shaft 61 having an axis directed forward and upward to the inside of the rear end of the lower horizontal frame 10d of the main body frame 10 via a shaft support bracket 62, and Locking piece 63 on shaft 61
Pivotally supporting the middle part, the locking piece 63 is rotatable inward and outward around the locking piece support shaft 61, and between the locking piece 63 and the shaft support bracket 62, A rotation urging spring 64 that urges the locking piece 63 outward in the locking direction is provided.

In this manner, as shown in FIG. 1, after the lifting operation section 21 is rotated downward to be used as a wheelchair, the locking piece is attached to the rear end of the third link 27. By locking the distal end portion 63a of the 63, the upward rotation of the third link 27 can be restricted, and the usage state as a wheelchair can be maintained.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, the lower side frame 10d which forms a part of the main body frame 10 is provided with a rear link restricting means 70. ,
At the rear outer surface of the lower horizontal frame 10d, a lateral vibration restricting body 71 for restricting lateral vibration of the rear link 33 in the left-right direction is attached.
A fixed arm support shaft 72 is laid horizontally between the rear end of the horizontal shake restricting body 71 and the lower horizontal frame 10d, and the base end of the fixed arm 73 is pivotally supported on the fixed arm support shaft 72. The fixed arm 73 is rotatable up and down, and a rotation urging spring 74 that urges the fixed arm 73 downward is interposed between the fixed arm 73 and the lateral shake restricting body 71. I have.

On the other hand, the rear link 33 is connected to the lower horizontal frame 10.
d and the lateral vibration restricting body 71, and
In the middle part of the rear surface, a fitting concave portion 33a into which the distal end portion 73a of the fixed arm 73 fits is formed.

As described above, when the swing leg 3 is lowered to adopt the usage form as a rocking chair,
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, the front surface of the rear link 33 abuts on the front portion of the lateral vibration restricting body 71, and the fixed arm 73 is fitted into a fitting recess 33 a formed in the middle of the rear surface of the rear link 33. The front end 73a is fitted to the rear link 33 so that the rear link 33 can be clamped in the front-rear direction.

[0039]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of left and right swinging legs, which extend in the front-rear direction and are formed by bending the lower surface so as to bulge downward, are attached to the wheelchair body so as to be able to move up and down. The left and right swing legs can be repositioned between a descending / grounding position that supports the wheelchair body so that it can swing back and forth and an ascending / non-grounding position that is supported by the wheelchair body. It can be easily changed to a use form as a normal wheelchair and a use form as a rocking chair.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an elevating mechanism is provided on the wheelchair main body having the left and right front wheels, and the elevating mechanism is extended in the front-rear direction and the lower surface is curved in a downwardly bulging shape. The pair of left and right swing legs and the left and right rear wheels are attached to each other, and the left and right swing legs and the left and right rear wheels can be moved up and down by a lifting mechanism. The right and left front and rear wheels are linked with the lifting and non-grounding action of the left and right front and rear wheels, and the left and right front and rear wheels are lowered and touched with the lifting and non-grounding action of the left and right swinging legs. Because of the interlocking, the vertical movement distance of the left and right swinging legs can be made as small as possible, simplifying the operation of changing the usage pattern, and also ensuring the function of a rocking chair well. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory side view of a wheelchair usage mode of a wheelchair according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory side view of the wheelchair in the process of changing a rocking chair use mode.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory side view of the rocking chair used in the wheelchair.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory plan view of a lifting operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the first link restricting means.

FIG. 6 is a sectional plan view of the first link restricting means.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the second link restricting means.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the second link restricting means.

FIG. 9 is a sectional rear view of the second link restricting means.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the third link regulating means.

FIG. 11 is a sectional rear view of the third link restricting means.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory perspective view of a rear link regulating unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Wheelchair 1 Wheelchair body 2 Lifting mechanism 3 Swinging leg 4 Rear wheel

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pair of left and right swinging legs, which extend in the front-rear direction and have a lower surface curved downward so as to bulge downward, are attached to a wheelchair body so as to be able to move up and down. A wheelchair having a rocking chair function, characterized in that the position can be freely changed between a lowered / grounded position for supporting the wheelchair body to be able to swing back and forth and a raised / non-grounded position supported by the wheelchair body. 2. A wheelchair body having left and right front wheels is provided with an elevating mechanism, and the elevating mechanism includes a pair of right and left rockers formed by extending in the front-rear direction and curving the lower surface so as to bulge downward. By attaching the moving leg and the left and right rear wheels, the left and right swinging legs and the left and right rear wheels can be moved up and down by the lifting mechanism, respectively. The front and rear wheels are linked to the lifting and non-grounding operations, and the left and right front and rear wheels are linked to the lifting and non-grounding operations of the left and right swinging legs. Wheelchair with rocking chair function.