Walker

Abstract

A walker with good usability is provided, in which a back support is configured to be openable and closable so as to be movable from the rear side of the walker to a walker operating position, and a person can open and close the back support by rotating the back support. The walker of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a lower structure (2), a support body (3) and an upper structure (4), the upper structure (4) comprises a rotating linkage body (67), the rotating linkage body (67) comprises a rotating shaft extending in the front-rear direction of the walker (1) and a back support member (7) arranged on the rear end side of the rotating shaft, the rotating linkage body (67) is configured so that the rotating shaft and the back support member (7) rotate in a linked manner with the center line of the rotating shaft as the rotation center, and the walker is configured so that the back support member (7) is operated to rotate the rotating shaft, thereby the back support member is set to at least a closed position (67Y) and an open position (67X), the closed position (67Y) being a position for closing a rear entrance to the operating position of the walker, and the open position (67X) being a position for opening the rear entrance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a walker including at least a back support as an upper structure. Background Art

[0002] A walking assistance device (walker) is known, which includes a lower structure, a support body and an upper structure, wherein the support body is arranged to extend upward from the lower structure, the upper structure is arranged on the upper side of the support body, and the upper structure includes an elbow support member (armrest), a handle, a back abutment unit (back support member) and an underarm support unit (underarm support member) (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-216183 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the above walker, there is a problem that since the back contact unit (back support) is not openable and closable, the user has to move backwards from the front side of the walker to the walker operating position, which is inconvenient for most walker users, such as the elderly.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a walker with good usability, in which a back support is configured to be openable and closable so as to be movable from the rear side of the walker to a walker operating position, and a person can open and close the back support by rotating the back support.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] The walker of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a lower structure; a support body, which is arranged to extend upward from the lower structure; and an upper structure, which is arranged on the upper side of the support body, the lower structure comprising: a lower base; and a moving unit, which is arranged on the lower base, the upper structure comprising a rotation linkage body, the rotation linkage body comprising: a rotation axis, which extends in the front-rear direction of the walker; and a back support member, which is arranged on the rear end side of the rotation axis, the rotation linkage body is configured so that the rotation axis and the back support member rotate in conjunction with each other with the center line of the rotation axis as the rotation center, and the walker is configured so that the back support member is operated to rotate the rotation axis, thereby the back support member is set to at least a closed position and an open position, the closed position is a position in which a rear entrance to the walker operating position is closed, and the open position is a position in which a rear entrance to the walker operating position is opened.

[0011] According to the walker of the present invention, in order to be able to move from the rear side of the walker to the walker operating position, the back support member arranged at the rear entrance to the walker operating position is constructed to be openable and closable, so that a person can open and close the back support member by rotating the back support member, thereby providing a walker with good ease of use.

[0012] In addition, the walker of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a lower structure; a support body, which is arranged to extend upward from the lower structure; and an upper structure, which is arranged on the upper side of the support body, the lower structure comprises: a lower base; and a moving unit, which is arranged on the lower base, and the upper structure comprises a rotation linkage body, the rotation linkage body comprises: a rotation axis, which extends in the front-rear direction of the walker; a handle, which is arranged on the front end side of the rotation axis; and a back support member, which is arranged on the rear end side of the rotation axis, the rotation linkage body is configured so that the rotation axis, the handle and the back support member rotate in conjunction with each other with the center line of the rotation axis as the rotation center, and the walker is configured so that the back support member or the handle is operated to rotate the rotation axis, thereby setting the back support member to at least a closed position and an open position, the closed position is a position in which a rear entrance to the walker operating position is closed, and the open position is a position in which a rear entrance to the walker operating position is opened.

[0013] According to the walker of the present invention, a person can open and close the back support by rotating the back support or the handle, thereby providing a walker with better usability.

[0014] In addition, the walker of the present invention is characterized in that the closed position of the back support is a support position, which is a position that can support the user's back, and the open position of the back support is a non-support position, which is a position that cannot support the user's back. Therefore, the back support is set to the support state and the non-support state as the rear entrance to the walker operating position is opened and closed, thereby providing a walker with better ease of use.

[0015] In addition, the walker of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a braking device, which includes: a braking mechanism of a moving unit; and a connecting member connected to the braking mechanism and a back support member. The walker is constructed so that the braking mechanism is operated via the connecting member by a position change operation of the back support member. Therefore, a person can operate the braking mechanism of the moving unit by changing the position of the back support member, and a walker with good ease of use can be provided.

[0016] In addition, the walker of the present invention is characterized in that the walker is constructed so that when the back support is set to the open position, the connecting member causes the braking mechanism to perform a braking action, and when the back support is set to the closed position, the braking mechanism releases the braking action, thereby being able to operate and release the braking mechanism in conjunction with the action of closing and opening the rear entrance to the walker operating position.

[0017] In addition, as a back support, there are left and right back supports, and the left and right back supports are respectively configured to be rotatable in the left and right directions and configured to be set in an open position and a closed position. The open position is a position in which the left and right back supports are rotated in directions away from each other, and the closed position is a position in which the left and right back supports are rotated in directions close to each other. Therefore, the braking mechanism can be operated and released by operating the left and right back supports.

[0018] In addition, the walker of the present invention is characterized in that, as a back support, there are left and right back supports, and as handles, there are left and right handles, the left and right back supports are arranged to be rotatable in left and right directions, respectively, and are configured to be set to an open position and a closed position, the open position is a position in which the left and right back supports are rotated in directions away from each other, and the closed position is a position in which the left and right back supports are rotated in directions close to each other, and the left and right handles are arranged to be rotatable in left and right directions, respectively, and are configured to be set to a non-operating position and an operating position, the non-operating position is a position in which the left and right handles are rotated in directions away from each other, and the operating position is a position in which the left and right handles are rotated in directions close to each other.

[0019] That is, in order to be able to move from the rear side of the walker to the walker operating position, the back support member arranged at the rear entrance to the walker operating position is constructed to be openable and closable left and right, so that a person can open and close the back support member by rotating the back support member or the handle left and right, thereby providing a walker with better ease of use.

[0020] Furthermore, the walker of the present invention is configured such that when the handle is set to the non-operating position, the back support is set to the open position, and when the handle is set to the operating position, the back support is set to the closed position, so that the braking mechanism can be operated and released even by operating the handle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a stereoscopic view of the walker as viewed from the upper left rear side.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the walker as seen from the upper right front side.

[0023] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the front side rotation support portion of the rotation shaft in the rotation linkage body.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the rotation restricting portion of the rotating shaft in the rotating linkage body.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the rotating linkage body.

[0026] Figure 6 It is a side view showing the structure of the brake mechanism.

[0027] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a rotation support mechanism of an underarm support member, wherein: Figure 7 (a) is a stereogram, Figure 7 (b) is an exploded stereogram.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the underarm support. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the walker 1 of the embodiment includes: a lower structure 2; a support 3 provided to extend upward from the lower structure 2; an upper structure 4 provided on the upper side of the support 3; and a brake device 5.

[0030] It should be noted that in this specification, up, down, left, right, front, and back are defined as Figure 1 , Figure 2 The directions shown are used for illustration.

[0031] The lower structure 2 includes a lower base 2A, a moving unit 2B provided on the lower base 2A, and a knee support 2C provided on the lower base 2A.

[0032] The lower base 2A is composed of a metal pipe frame such as a steel pipe formed in a concave or U-shape, and the upper open side portion of the "concave" or "U" is located behind the walker 1, and the lower closed portion of the "concave" or "U" is located in the front side of the walker 1.

[0033] In other words, the lower base 2A includes: a front portion 21 extending from the lower side of the support body 3 in the left-right direction; a left portion 22 extending from the left end side of the front portion 21 to the rear; and a right portion 23 extending from the right end side of the front portion 21 to the rear. It should be noted that the front portion 21 is composed of, for example, front and rear pipes 21a and 21b that are spaced apart and arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction.

[0034] The mobile unit 2B, for example, adopts a structure having the following components: a left front universal wheel 24, arranged on the left front side of the lower base 2A; a right front universal wheel 25, arranged on the right front side of the lower base 2A; a left rear universal wheel 26, arranged on the left rear side of the lower base 2A; a right rear universal wheel 27, arranged on the right rear side of the lower base 2A; a left center fixed wheel 28, arranged on the left center side between the left front side and the left rear side of the lower base 2A; and a right center fixed wheel 29, arranged on the right center side between the right front side and the right rear side of the lower base 2A.

[0035] It should be noted that the universal wheel is configured such that the wheel can rotate on a moving surface such as the ground with a vertical axis orthogonal to the rotation center line of the wheel as the rotation center, and is called a universal caster, for example.

[0036] In addition, a fixed wheel is configured such that the wheel cannot rotate on a moving surface such as the ground about a vertical axis orthogonal to the rotation center line of the wheel, and is called a fixed caster, for example.

[0037] The knee support 2C includes, for example, a knee support member 30 and a support portion 31 such as a bracket, supports the knee support member 30, and is attached to the front portion 21 of the lower base 2A.

[0038] The knee supporting member 30 includes a support plate 32 formed of a metal plate such as a steel plate, and a buffer member 33 such as a shock absorbing sheet provided on the surface of the support plate 32 .

[0039] The knee support 2C protects the knee and calf of the user when the knee of the user using the walker 1 is bent, and provides an effect of preventing the user from colliding with the lower base 2A and the support body 3 and preventing the user from falling.

[0040] The support body 3 is constituted by a support column, and the lower end of the support column is connected to the left-right center position of the front part 21 of the lower base body 2A through a mounting member 3C by a connecting means such as welding or screws.

[0041] The support body 3 is configured to be able to change its height. For example, the support body 3 is configured to include a lower inner column 3A and an upper outer column 3B, and the upper outer column 3B is configured to be movable in the up-down direction and locked at a predetermined height position by a locking member (not shown).

[0042] The upper structure 4 includes an upper base 4A, armrests 4B, a handle 6 , a back support 7 , and an underarm support 8 .

[0043] The upper base 4A is formed into a concave or U-shape, for example, similarly to the lower base 2A. The upper open side portion of the "concave" or "U" is located behind the walker 1, and the lower portion of the "concave" or "U" is located in front of the walker 1.

[0044] The upper base 4A includes a front portion 41 extending from the upper side of the support body 3 in the left-right direction, a left portion 42 extending from the left end side of the front portion 41 toward the rear, and a right portion 43 extending from the right end side of the front portion 41 toward the rear.

[0045] For example, the front portions 41 , 41 of the upper base 4A are respectively connected to the left and right portions of the upper portion of the support body 3 by connecting means such as welding or screws.

[0046] In other words, the left upper base is formed by the left front portion 41 extending from the left side of the upper portion of the support body 3 toward the left and the left portion 42 extending backward from the left end side of the left front portion 41, and the right upper base is formed by the right front portion 41 extending from the right side of the upper portion of the support body 3 toward the right and the right portion 43 extending backward from the right end side of the right front portion 41.

[0047] The left upper base and the right upper base are formed of, for example, a metal pipe frame such as an L-shaped steel pipe.

[0048] The armrest 4B is constructed, for example, to include: a flat plate body 45 with a concave or U-shaped outer shape, which is connected to the upper base 4A by connecting means such as welding and screws when placed on the upper base 4A; and a buffer member 46 such as a rubber sheet, which is provided on the upper surface of the flat plate body 45.

[0049] The handle 6 includes a left handle 6L provided to be located on the left front side of the armrest 4B, and a right handle 6R provided to be located on the right front side of the armrest 4B.

[0050] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the handle 6 includes a handle body 60 formed of a metal pipe such as a steel pipe, and an anti-slip cover 61 provided to cover the peripheral surface of the handle body 60 .

[0051] The back support 7 includes a left back support 7L provided to be located on the left rear side of the armrest 4B, and a right back support 7R provided to be located on the right rear side of the armrest 4B.

[0052] The back support 7 includes, for example, a back support member 70 having a cushion pad or the like provided on a surface facing the user's back, and a support portion 71 that supports the back support member 70 .

[0053] The left handle 6L is provided at the front end side of a rotation axis 4C extending in the front-rear direction of the walker 1 along the lower surface of the left side of the handrail 4B, and the left back support 7L is provided at the rear end side of the rotation axis 4C.

[0054] The right handle 6R is provided at the front end side of a rotation axis 4C extending in the front-rear direction of the walker 1 along the lower surface of the right side of the handrail 4B, and the right back support 7R is provided at the rear end side of the rotation axis 4C.

[0055] That is, the walker 1 includes a left rotational linkage body 67L including a rotational axis 4C, a left handle 6L, and a left back support 7L, and a right rotational linkage body 67R including a rotational axis 4C, a right handle 6R, and a right back support 7R.

[0056] The rotation shaft 4C of the left rotation linkage body 67L is rotatably supported by a left rotation support portion 68L provided on the lower surface of the left side of the armrest 4B about a center line of the rotation shaft 4C extending in the front-rear direction.

[0057] Similarly, the rotation shaft 4C of the right rotation linkage body 67R is supported by a right rotation support portion 68R provided on the lower surface of the right side of the armrest 4B so as to be rotatable about the center line of the rotation shaft 4C extending in the front-rear direction.

[0058] That is, the rotating linkage body 67 includes a rotating shaft 4C extending in the front-to-back direction of the walker 1, a handle 6 arranged on the front end side of the rotating shaft 4C, and a back support member 7 arranged on the rear end side of the rotating shaft 4C. The rotating linkage body 67 is constructed so that the rotating shaft 4C, the handle 6 and the back support member 7 rotate in a linked manner with the center line of the rotating shaft 4C as the rotation center. As such a rotating linkage body 67, it includes a left-side rotating linkage body 67L and a right-side rotating linkage body 67R. As a rotating support part 68 for rotationally supporting the left-side rotating linkage body 67L and the right-side rotating linkage body 67R, it includes a left-side rotating support part 68L and a right-side rotating support part 68R.

[0059] The rotation shaft support portion 68 is a support portion that supports the rotation shaft 4C of the rotation linkage body 67 so as to be rotatable about the center line of the rotation shaft 4C, and includes a front rotation support portion 68A and a rear rotation support portion 68B.

[0060] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the front side rotation support part 68A is constructed to include: a cylindrical bearing 68a, which is composed of a metal pipe such as a steel pipe; a fixed part 68b of the bearing 68a, which is arranged on the lower surface of the armrest 4B; and a fixing unit such as screws or welding, which is used to fix the bearing 68a to the fixed part 68b.

[0061] That is, the cylindrical bearing 68a of the front rotation support portion 68A is fixed to the fixed portion 68b by the fixing means, and the front side of the rotation shaft 4C is rotatably supported by the bearing 68a.

[0062] For example, Figure 1 As shown, the rear rotation support part 68B is constructed as an annular bearing 68c composed of a metal ring body such as a steel pipe, which is fixed to the lower surface of the armrest 4B (the lower surface of the flat plate body 45) by a fixing unit such as screws or welding, and the rear side of the rotating shaft 4C is supported by the bearing 68c in a rotatable manner.

[0063] For example, Figure 3 As shown, a connection portion 62 connected to the front end side of the rotation shaft 4C is provided on the lower end side of the handle body 60.

[0064] The connecting portion 62 is composed of a cylindrical metal pipe with one end closed and the other end open. After the lower end of the handle body 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 62a formed on the peripheral surface of the one end closed side of the connecting portion 62, the handle body 60 and the connecting portion 62 are connected and fixed by fixing means such as screws n and welding.

[0065] Furthermore, for example, the rear end side of a cylindrical metal pipe or the like is bent and used as the support portion 71 of the back support 7 , and the front side of the cylindrical metal pipe or the like is used as the rotation shaft 4C.

[0066] Therefore, after the rotating shaft 4C is passed through the bearing 68c of the rear rotating support part 68B and the bearing 68a of the front rotating support part 68A from the front side of the rotating shaft 4C and the front end side of the rotating shaft 4C is inserted into the connecting part 62 from the other end opening 62b of the connecting part 62, the front end side of the rotating shaft 4C is connected and fixed to the connecting part 62 by fixing means such as screws n and welding.

[0067] In this way, the following rotating linkage body 67 is constructed: the rotating shaft 4C is rotatably supported by the bearing 68a of the front rotating support part 68A and the bearing 68c of the rear rotating support part 68B, and the rotating shaft 4C, the handle 6 arranged on the front side of the rotating shaft 4C, and the back support member 7 arranged on the rear side of the rotating shaft 4C rotate in a linked manner.

[0068] Furthermore, the front rotation support portion 68A includes a rotation restricting portion 69 .

[0069] The rotation restricting portion 69 is composed of a rotation restricting groove 69a formed at the rear end edge of the bearing 68a and an engaging protrusion 69b provided to protrude from the front peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 4C and to engage with the rotation restricting groove 69a.

[0070] For example, Figure 4 As shown, the rotation restricting groove 69a is formed by a notched groove formed by removing the lower portion of the rear end edge of the bearing 68a of the front rotation supporting portion 68A over a predetermined angular range along the circumferential direction.

[0071] The rotation restricting groove 69a is configured such that a side wall on one circumferential end side of the notch groove functions as one restricting wall 69x, and a side wall on the other circumferential end side of the notch groove functions as the other restricting wall 69y.

[0072] That is, the rotation limiting groove 69a is constructed so that when the rotating shaft 4C rotates in one direction by a specified angle so that the engaging protrusion 69b contacts one limiting wall 69x, the rotation of the rotating shaft 4C stops; and when the rotating shaft 4C rotates in the other direction by a specified angle so that the engaging protrusion 69b contacts the other limiting wall 69y, the rotation of the rotating shaft 4C stops.

[0073] For example, Figure 4 As shown in (a), when the rotation shaft 4C of the right rotation linkage body 67R rotates rightward as indicated by arrow a and the engaging protrusion 69b of the rotation shaft 4C contacts one of the limiting walls 69x, the right handle 6R and the right back support member 7 are set to the open position 67X (see Figure 5 (a)).

[0074] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown in (b), when the rotation shaft 4C of the right rotation linkage body 67R rotates counterclockwise as indicated by arrow b and the engaging protrusion 69b of the rotation shaft 4C contacts the other limiting wall 69y, the right handle 6R and the right back support 7 are set to the closed position 67Y (see Figure 5 (b)).

[0075] It should be noted that Figure 4 (a) Figure 4 (b) is related to Figure 2 The figure corresponds to the A section of the right rotation linkage body 67R shown.

[0076] That is to say, Figure 5 As shown in (a), by a person rotating the left-side rotating linkage body 67L to the left and rotating the right-side rotating linkage body 67R to the right, the back supports 7L, 7R and the handles 6L, 6R are set to the open position 67X, which is a position after the back supports 7L, 7R and the handles 6L, 6R are rotated in a direction away from each other.

[0077] Moreover, if Figure 5As shown in (b), by a person rotating the left-side rotating linkage body 67L to the right and rotating the right-side rotating linkage body 67R to the left, the back supports 7L, 7R and the handles 6L, 6R are set to the closed position 67Y, and the closed position 67Y is a position in which the back supports 7L, 7R and the handles 6L, 6R are rotated in a direction toward each other.

[0078] Here, the closed position 67Y of the back support is configured to be closed to the walker operating position H (see Figure 2 ) and is set in a supporting position that can support the back of the user, and an open position 67X of the back support is a position that opens the rear entrance to the walker operating position H and is set in a non-supporting position that cannot support the back of the user.

[0079] Furthermore, the closed position 67Y of the handle 6 is set to the operating position when the user operates the walker 1 , and the open position 67X of the handle 6 is set to the non-operating position when the user operates the walker 1 .

[0080] That is, the structure is as follows: when a person operates the back support member 7 or the handle 6 of the rotating linkage body 67 to rotate the rotating shaft 4C, the back support member 7 is set to at least a closed position 67Y and an open position 67X, wherein the closed position 67Y is a position for closing the rear entrance to the walker operating position H, and the open position 67X is a position for opening the rear entrance to the walker operating position H.

[0081] In other words, the structure is as follows: when a person operates the back support member 7 or the handle 6 of the rotating linkage body 67 to rotate the rotating shaft 4C, the back support member 7 is set to at least a supporting position or a non-supporting position, wherein the supporting position is a position that can support the user's back, and the non-supporting position is a position that cannot support the user's back.

[0082] It should be noted that, preferably, the structure is as follows: a friction resistance member is provided between the rotating shaft 4C and the bearing (at least one of the bearings 68a, 68c) to provide resistance to the rotational movement of the rotating shaft 4C, and when the handle 6 and the back support 7 are set in the open position 67X or the closed position 67Y, the handle 6 and the back support 7 are not easy to rotate from this position.

[0083] Alternatively, it may be configured as follows: an eccentric cam and a pressure surface are provided, wherein the eccentric cam is arranged around the rotating shaft 4C, and the pressure surface is provided on the lower surface of the armrest 4B so as to be pressed by the eccentric peripheral surface of the eccentric cam. When the handle 6 and the back support 7 are set in the closed position 67Y, the handle 6 and the back support 7 are frictionally locked in the closed position 67Y by the friction between the eccentric peripheral surface of the eccentric cam and the pressure surface.

[0084] By providing the rotation linkage body 67 having the above-described structure, the following effects can be obtained.

[0085] The rear entrance to the walker operating position H can be opened and closed by operating the handle 6 or the back support 7 of the rotating linkage body 67 to rotate the rotating linkage body 67 .

[0086] For example, when the user operates the back support 7 to rotate the rotating linkage 67, the back support 7 is set to the open position 67X, and the rear entrance to the walker operating position H is opened, so that the user can move to the walker operating position H of the walker 1 from the rear entrance.

[0087] Furthermore, the user who has reached the walker operating position H holds the handle 6 at the walker operating position H to rotate the rotation linkage 67, and the back support 7 is set to the closed position 67Y, so that the back support 7 is set to the support position, and the rear entrance to the walker operating position H is closed. In this state, the user can operate the walker 1 by holding the handle 6 set to the operating position, which is the closed position 67Y.

[0088] Furthermore, when the user loses his / her balance during operation and is about to fall, the back support 7 set in the supporting position can suppress the user from falling, thereby preventing the user from falling.

[0089] The brake device 5 includes a brake mechanism 5A of the moving unit 2B and a connection member 5B connecting the brake mechanism 5A and the back support 7 .

[0090] Furthermore, the brake mechanism 5A is configured to be activated or released through the connecting member 5B by the position changing operation of the back support 7 .

[0091] That is, the structure is such that when the back support 7 is set to the open position 67X (non-support position), the brake mechanism 5A operates to apply brakes to the fixed wheels 28 and 29, and when the back support 7 is set to the closed position 67Y (support position), the brake mechanism 5A is released, so that the fixed wheels 28 and 29 can roll.

[0092] For example, the structure is as follows: any one of the back support 7, the handle 6, and the rotating shaft 4C of the rotating linkage body 67 is connected to the brake mechanism 5A of the fixed wheels 28 and 29 through the connecting member 5B. When the back support 7 or the handle 6 rotates around the rotating shaft 4C as the rotation center and the back support 7 is set to the open position 67X (non-support position), the brake mechanism 5A performs a braking action to apply a brake to the fixed wheels 28 and 29, and when the back support 7 is located in the closed position 67Y (support position), the brake mechanism 5A releases the action of applying a brake to the fixed wheels 28 and 29.

[0093] That is, the brake mechanism 5A for the fixed wheels 28 and 29 is configured to be activated and released by the rotation operation of the rotation linkage body 67 .

[0094] The brake mechanism 5A is, for example, a mechanism including a stopper 50 that comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the fixed wheel (wheel) 28 to stop the rotation of the fixed wheel 28 .

[0095] The connecting member 5B is, for example, a brake wire 55 .

[0096] For example, Figure 6 As shown, the brake mechanism 5A is composed of the following components: a stopper 50, which is configured to be rotatable with the central axis 28B of the fork 28A of the fixed caster constituting the fixed wheel 28 as the rotation center; an inner connecting portion 51, which is provided on the stopper 50; an outer tube connecting plate 52, which is assembled on the fork 28A of the fixed wheel 28; and a compression coil spring 53 as a restoring unit, which is configured to be sandwiched between the inner connecting portion 51 and the outer tube connecting plate 52.

[0097] One end of the inner cable 56 of the brake cable 55 is connected to a connecting portion 71a (see Figure 1 ), one end of the outer tube 57 of the brake cable 55 is connected to a stay 47 provided on the rear end side of the handrail 4B.

[0098] The other end of the inner cable 56 passes through the hollow portion of the compression coil spring 53 and is connected to the inner connection portion 51 by a screw 51 a or the like. The other end of the outer tube 57 is connected to the outer tube connection plate 52 , thereby forming the brake device 5 .

[0099] According to the braking device 5 constructed as above, when the back support member 7 is moved from Figure 5 The closed position 67Y (support position) of (b) becomes Figure 5When the rotation is performed in the open position 67X (non-support position) of (a), the inner cable 56 is pulled and the compression coil spring 53 is shortened, whereby the stopper 50 rotates around the central axis 28B as the rotation center and contacts the peripheral surface 28a of the fixed wheel 28, thereby forming a braking action state that stops the rotation of the fixed wheel 28.

[0100] In addition, when the back support is Figure 5 The open position 67X (non-support position) of (a) becomes Figure 5 When the closed position 67Y (support position) of (b) is rotated, the compression coil spring 53 is restored, and the stopper 50 moves away from the peripheral surface 28a of the fixed wheel 28 and returns to the original position, thereby becoming a brake release state that allows the fixed wheel 28 to rotate, and the wheel of the mobile unit 2B can roll and move.

[0101] As described above, since the brake device 5 that performs braking operation and brake release by the position change operation of the back support 7 is provided, the following effects can be obtained.

[0102] The braking device 5 can be activated and released by rotating the back support 7 or the handle 6 .

[0103] Furthermore, when the back support 7 is located at the open position 67X (non-support position), the brake device 5 is operated, so safety can be ensured.

[0104] Furthermore, when the back support 7 is located at the closed position 67Y (support position), the brake device 5 is in a non-operating state, so the walker 1 can be moved.

[0105] That is, when the user wants to move to the walker 1 from a state such as sitting upright on a bed, the back support 7 is operated in the sitting state to set the back support 7 to the open position 67X (non-support position), and the brake implemented by the brake device 5 works, so that the user can safely move from the sitting state to the walker operating position H.

[0106] In addition, when the user operates the back support 7 in a sitting position, for example, and sets the back support 7 to the closed position 67Y (support position), the brake implemented by the brake device 5 is released, so that the walker 1 can be moved. For example, the user can move the walker 1 to a specified setting position (for example, a bedside, etc.) while maintaining the sitting position.

[0107] Furthermore, the position setting of the back support 7 and the operation and non-operation of the brake can be simultaneously achieved through the rotation operation of the handle 6 .

[0108] For example, after the user moves from the sitting state to the walker operating position H of the walker 1, the handle 6 is rotated to set the handle 6 to the closed position 67Y (operating position), the back support 7 is also set to the closed position 67Y (support position), and the braking achieved by the braking device 5 is released, so that the user can operate the handle 6 to achieve movement through the walker 1.

[0109] Furthermore, when the user wants to get off (detach) the walker 1, the handle 6 is rotated to be set to the open position 67X (non-operating position), the back support 7 is also set to the open position 67X (non-supporting position), the brakes implemented by the brake device 5 are operated, and the rear entrance to the walker operating position H is opened, so that the user can safely get off (detach) the walker 1.

[0110] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the armpit support 8 includes a left armpit support 8L provided to stand from the left inner side of the armrest 4B, and a right armpit support 8R provided to stand from the right inner side of the armrest 4B.

[0111] The underarm support 8 includes an underarm support member 80, a support member 81 that supports the underarm support member 80, and a rotation support portion 82 that rotatably supports the support member 81 (see FIG. Figure 7 In (a)), the armpit supporting member 80 is configured to be provided on the upper end side of the supporting member 81.

[0112] The underarm supporting member 80 includes a core material such as a cylindrical tube extending in the front-rear direction of the walker 1 , and a cushioning cover provided to cover the circumferential surface of the core material.

[0113] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, the support member 81 is constructed to include: a front support member 81F that supports the front end of the underarm support member 80; a rear support member 81R that supports the rear end of the underarm support member 80; and a reinforcing member 81S that is arranged to span the front support member 81F and the rear support member 81R, the front end of the reinforcing member 81S being connected to the front support member 81F, and the rear end of the reinforcing member 81S being connected to the rear support member 81R.

[0114] Furthermore, the rotation support portion 82 includes a front rotation support portion 82F and a rear rotation support portion 82R.

[0115] Furthermore, the lower end side of the front support member 81F is rotatably mounted via the front rotation support portion 82F, and the lower end side of the rear support member 81R is rotatably mounted via the rear rotation support portion 82R.

[0116] That is to say, Figure 7 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , the underarm support 8 is configured to be rotatable in the left-right direction about the center line of a rotation support portion 82 extending in the front-rear direction of the walker 1 (the center line of a rotation center axis 84 described later) as the rotation center.

[0117] For example, Figure 7 (b) Figure 8 As shown, the front support member 81F and the rear support member 81R are formed of an L-shaped plate having an upper and lower plate portion 81a extending in the vertical direction and a transverse plate portion 81b extending in the transverse direction from the lower end of the upper and lower plate portion 81a.

[0118] That is, Figure 8 As shown in (a) of FIG. 8 , the position of the center line 80a of the underarm support member 80 is offset from the position of the rotation center line 8a of the underarm support 8 by a dimension a in the left-right direction.

[0119] That is, when the horizontal separation distance between the rotation center line 8a of the left underarm support 8L and the rotation center line 8a of the right underarm support 8R is defined as b, and the horizontal separation distance between the center line 80a of the support member 80 of the left underarm support 8L and the center line 80a of the support member 80 of the right underarm support 8R is defined as c, it is set to b>c.

[0120] Since the front supporting member 81F and the rear supporting member 81R are formed of L-shaped plates, the following effects can be obtained.

[0121] (1) The horizontal plate portion 81b of the L-shaped plate can be located below the lower surface 45a of the armrest 4B, and the rotation support portion 82 can be provided on the lower surface 45a of the armrest 4B. Therefore, the length of the upper and lower plate portions 81a can be set longer. Figure 8 As shown in (b), the rotation radius r of the underarm support 8 (the linear distance between the position of the rotation center line 8a of the underarm support 8 and the position of the center line 80a of the underarm support member 80) can be increased.

[0122] Therefore, since the movement distance L1 of the armpit support member 80 when the armpit support member 80 rotates can be increased, the armpit support 8 can be configured to easily clamp the user's armpit body part when the user's posture becomes unstable, which will become a walker 1 with excellent effect of preventing the user from falling.

[0123] (2) Since the position of the center line 80a of the underarm support member 80 and the position of the rotation center line 8a of the underarm support 8 are not located on the same vertical line, the underarm support 8 is easy to rotate.

[0124] That is, when viewed from the user who is manipulating the walker 1 between the left underarm support 8L and the right underarm support 8R, the positions of the rotation center lines 8a, 8a of the left and right underarm support 8L, 8R are located outside the positions of the center lines 80a, 80a of the left and right underarm support members 80, 80. Therefore, when the user's body becomes unstable and the user's armpits come into contact with the left and right underarm support members 80, 80, and the user's load is applied to the left and right underarm support members 80, 80 from above, the left and right underarm support members 8L, 8R are likely to rotate in a direction approaching each other (i.e., the inner side (user side) of the walker 1).

[0125] Therefore, the armpit support 8 having a structure that can easily hold the user's body part under the armpit without being stuck in the rotation when the user loses his / her posture can be realized, and thus the walker 1 can be excellent in preventing the user from falling.

[0126] For example, Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the rotation support portion 82 includes: a support member assembly portion 83, which is assembled to the lower surface 45a of the flat plate body 45 of the armrest 4B via a fixing unit; a rotation center axis 84, such as Figure 7 As shown in (b), it is composed of a two-stage diameter shaft member; a torsion coil spring 85 as a restoring unit; and a restricting unit 86.

[0127] That is, the lower surface 45a of the armrest 4B is provided with a rotation support portion 82 that supports the lower end side of the support member 81 so as to be rotatable about a center line (the center line of the rotation center axis 84) extending in the front-rear direction.

[0128] The restriction unit 86 includes, for example, a long hole 86a formed at the lower end of the upper and lower plate portions 81a and extending in the vertical direction, and an engagement shaft 86b protruding from the support member mounting portion 83 and inserted into the long hole 86a.

[0129] The small diameter shaft portion 84a of the rotation center shaft 84 passes through the through hole 84c formed on the top end side of the horizontal plate portion 81b of the support member 81 and the spiral hole of the torsion coil spring 85. In addition, the screw 84 passes through the through hole 84d formed in the support member assembly portion 83 and is fastened to the screw hole 84f formed on the top end surface side of the small diameter shaft portion 84a, thereby the rotation center shaft 84 that supports the support member 81 (the front side support member 81F or the rear side support member 81R) to be rotatable is fixed to the support member assembly portion 83. In other words, the horizontal plate portion 81b of the support member 81 and the torsion coil spring 85 are sandwiched by the support member assembly portion 83 and the large diameter shaft portion 84b of the rotation center shaft 84.

[0130] In addition, one end 85a of the torsion coil spring 85 is fixed to the support member assembly portion 83 by a fixing unit not shown in the figure, and the other end 85b of the torsion coil spring 85 is fixed to the transverse plate portion 81b by a fixing unit not shown in the figure, and the locking shaft 86b is inserted into the long hole 86a, thereby forming a limiting unit 86.

[0131] As described above, the rotation support portion 82 is constructed with the following components: a rotation center axis 84 that supports the support member 81 of the armpit support member 8 so that it can rotate; a limiting unit 86 that limits the left and right armpit support members 8L, 8R from rotating by more than a predetermined amount in a direction in which the left and right armpit support members 80, 80 approach each other; and a restoring unit such as a torsion coil spring 85 that restores the armpit support member 8 to its initial state when the load on the armpit support member 80 is removed.

[0132] It should be noted that, in normal use (in the initial state), such as Figure 8 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , the user's armpits are used in a state where the left and right armpit supporting members 80 , 80 are not in contact with each other.

[0133] Furthermore, for example, when the user loses his / her posture and the user's armpit contacts the armpit supporting member 80, a load from the user is applied to the armpit supporting member 80. Figure 8 As shown in (b), the left and right armpit support members 80, 80 rotate in a direction approaching each other to sandwich the user's armpit body part from left and right. The left and right armpit support members 8L, 8R are restricted by the restriction unit 86 from rotating at a predetermined angle or more.

[0134] The armpit support member 8 is configured to return to the armpit support member 80 by the spring force of the torsion coil spring (returning means) 85 when the load on the armpit support member 80 from the user is removed. Figure 8 The initial state shown in (a).

[0135] The distance d between the left and right underarm support members 80, 80 when the rotation of the left and right underarm support members 8L, 8R is restricted by the restriction unit 86 is set to a size that can hold the underarm body of a user of average build, for example.

[0136] Since the structure of the left and right armpit support members 8L, 8R as described above is adopted, when the user's body posture becomes unstable and the user's armpits come into contact with the left and right armpit support members 80, 80, and the load from the user is applied to the left and right armpit support members 8L, 8R, the left and right armpit support members 8L, 8R operate in a manner of clamping the user's armpit body part from the left and right, thereby being able to suppress the user from falling downward, and being able to achieve the effect of preventing the user from falling.

[0137] That is, the upper structure 4 of the walker 1 of the embodiment includes an upper base 4A, an armrest 4B, a rotating linkage body 67 (a left rotating linkage body 67L and a right rotating linkage body 67R), a rotating shaft support part 68 (a left rotating support part 68L and a right rotating support part 68R), and an armpit support part 8 (a left armpit support part 8L and a right armpit support part 8R).

[0138] According to the walker 1 of the embodiment, the walker 1 is configured to include a rotation linkage body 67. By operating the back support 7 or the handle 6 of the rotation linkage body 67 to rotate the rotation axis 4C, the back support 7 is set to at least a closed position 67Y and an open position 67X. The closed position 67Y is a position for closing the rear entrance to the walker operating position H, and the open position 67X is a position for opening the rear entrance to the walker operating position H. Therefore, a person can open and close the back support 7 by rotating the back support 7 or the handle 6, and a walker 1 with good usability that can be moved from the rear side of the walker 1 to the walker operating position H can be provided.

[0139] In addition, since a structure is adopted in which left and right opening and closing back supports 7, 7 are arranged at the rear entrance to the walker operating position H, a person can open and close the back supports 7, 7 by rotating the back supports 7, 7 or the handles 6, 6 left and right, thereby providing a walker 1 with better ease of use.

[0140] In addition, the closed position 67Y of the back support member 7 is set at the supporting position, which is a position that can support the back of the user, and the open position 67X of the back support member 7 is set at the non-supporting position, which is a position that cannot support the back of the user. Therefore, the back support member 7 is set to the supporting state and the non-supporting state as the rear entrance to the walker operating position H is opened and closed, thereby providing a walker 1 with better ease of use.

[0141] In addition, according to the walker 1 of the embodiment, the upper structure 4 has a back support member 7 that is configured to be able to change its position, and the braking device 5 has a braking mechanism 5A of the moving unit 2B and, for example, a brake cable 55 that serves as a connecting member 5B connected to the braking mechanism 5A and the back support member 7. The braking mechanism 5A is operated via the connecting member 5B by a position change operation of the back support member 7. Therefore, a person can operate the braking mechanism 5A of the moving unit 2B by performing an operation to change the position of the back support member 7, thereby providing a walker 1 that is easy to use.

[0142] In addition, the walker 1 is characterized in that the back support 7 is configured to be set to a closed position 67Y or an open position 67X, wherein the closed position 67Y is a position in which a rear entrance to the walker operating position H is closed, and the open position 67X is a position in which a rear entrance to the walker operating position H is opened, and the connecting member 5B is configured to cause the brake mechanism 5A to perform a braking action when the back support 7 is set to the open position 67X, and to release the braking action when the back support 7 is set to the closed position 67Y, so that the brake mechanism 5A can be operated and released in conjunction with the action of closing and opening the rear entrance to the walker operating position H.

[0143] In addition, as a back support, there are left and right back supports 7, 7, which are respectively rotatable in the left and right directions and can be set in an open position 67X and a closed position 67Y. The open position 67X is a position in which the left and right back supports 7, 7 are rotated in directions away from each other, and the closed position 67Y is a position in which the left and right back supports 7, 7 are rotated in directions close to each other. Therefore, the brake mechanism 5A can be operated and released by operating the left and right back supports 7, 7.

[0144] In addition, the closed position 67Y of the back support member 7 is set to the supporting position, which is a position that can support the user's back, and the open position 67X of the back support member 7 is set to the non-supporting position, which is a position that cannot support the user's back, so the braking mechanism 5A that is linked to the supporting position and the non-supporting position of the back support member 7 can be operated and released.

[0145] Furthermore, the walker 1 includes a rotation linkage body 67, which includes a rotation axis 4C extending in the front-rear direction of the walker 1, a handle 6 provided on the front end side of the rotation axis 4C, and a back support member 7 provided on the rear end side of the rotation axis 4C. The rotation linkage body 67 is configured so that the rotation axis 4C, the handle 6, and the back support member 7 rotate in conjunction with each other with the center line of the rotation axis 4C as the rotation center. Therefore, the walker 1 is configured so that when the handle 6 is set to the non-operating position, the back support member 7 is set to the open position 67X, and when the handle 6 is set to the operating position, the back support member 7 is set to the closed position. Therefore, even if the handle 6 is operated, the brake mechanism 5A can be operated and released.

[0146] It should be noted that in the above content, as the rotational linkage body 67, an example of a rotational linkage body 67 having a left rotational linkage body 67L and a right rotational linkage body 67R is shown, but it can also be a structure having only one of the left rotational linkage body 67L or the right rotational linkage body 67R.

[0147] Even with this configuration, a person can open and close the back support 7 by rotating the back support 7 or the handle 6, and the walker 1 that is movable from the rear side of the walker 1 to the walker operating position H and is easy to use can be provided.

[0148] In addition, even with this configuration, a person can operate and release the brake mechanism 5A in conjunction with the action of closing and opening the rear entrance to the walker operating position H by rotating the back support 7 or the handle 6, thereby providing a walker 1 with good ease of use.

[0149] In addition, in the above content, as a rotating linkage body 67, the following rotating linkage body 67 is shown as an example, that is, the rotating linkage body 67 includes a rotating shaft 4C extended in the front-to-back direction of the walker 1, a handle 6 arranged on the front end side of the rotating shaft 4C, and a back support member 7 arranged on the rear end side of the rotating shaft 4C. The rotating linkage body 67 is constructed so that the rotating shaft 4C, the handle 6 and the back support member 7 rotate in a linked manner with the center line of the rotating shaft 4C as the rotation center, but the rotating linkage body can also be a structure without the handle 6.

[0150] That is, the rotating linkage body may include a rotating shaft 4C extending in the front-rear direction of the walker 1 and a back support 7 provided on the rear end side of the rotating shaft 4C, and the rotating linkage body may be configured such that the rotating shaft 4C and the back support 7 rotate in conjunction with each other about the center line of the rotating shaft 4C.

[0151] Even with this configuration, a person can open and close the back support 7 by rotating the back support 7, and the walker 1 that is movable from the rear side of the walker 1 to the walker operating position H and is easy to use can be provided.

[0152] Furthermore, even with this configuration, a person can operate the brake mechanism 5A of the moving unit 2B by performing an operation of rotating the back support 7 (operation of changing the position of the back support 7 ), so that the walker 1 with good usability can be provided.

[0153] It should be noted that, in this case, the handle may be provided, for example, in a fixed state on the upper base 4A or the armrest 4B. That is, in the present invention, a handle that can rotate is not necessarily required, and the handle may be fixed. In this case, for example, when a companion is present, the companion closes the back support 7 after confirming that the user has moved to the walker operating position H, so that the user can use the walker more safely. In addition, even if the handle is fixed, for example, if an opening and closing rod (not shown) for opening and closing the back support 7 is provided on the front side of the walker 1, the user can operate the opening and closing rod to close the back support 7 after moving to the walker operating position H, thereby releasing the brake mechanism 5A.

[0154] Description of Reference Numerals

[0155] 1: walker; 2: lower structure; 2A: lower base; 2B: mobile unit; 3: support body;

[0156] 4: upper structure; 4C: rotating shaft; 5: braking device; 5A: braking mechanism; 5B: connecting member;

[0157] 6: handle; 7: back support; 67: rotating linkage; 67X: open position;

[0158] 67Y: closed position; H: walker operating position.

Claims

1. A walker, characterized in that: have: Lower structure; A support body is provided to extend upward from the lower structure body; and The upper structure is provided on the upper side of the support body. The lower structure has: a lower base; and The mobile unit is arranged on the lower base. The upper structure has a rotating linkage. The rotating linkage body comprises: a rotating shaft extending in the front-rear direction of the walker; and a back support member provided on the rear end side of the rotating shaft, wherein the rotating linkage body is configured such that the rotating shaft and the back support member rotate in linkage with each other about the center line of the rotating shaft as the rotation center. The walker is configured such that the back support is operated to rotate the rotation axis, whereby the back support is set to at least a closed position and an open position, wherein the closed position is a position in which a rear entrance to the walker operating position is closed, and the open position is a position in which a rear entrance to the walker operating position is opened.

2. A walker, characterized in that: have: Lower structure; A support body is provided to extend upward from the lower structure body; and The upper structure is provided on the upper side of the support body. The lower structure has: a lower base; and The mobile unit is arranged on the lower base. The upper structure has a rotating linkage. The rotating linkage body comprises: a rotating shaft extending in the front-rear direction of the walker; a handle provided at the front end side of the rotating shaft; and a back support provided at the rear end side of the rotating shaft, wherein the rotating linkage body is configured such that the rotating shaft, the handle and the back support rotate in a linked manner with the center line of the rotating shaft as the rotation center. The walker is configured such that the back support or the handle is operated to rotate the rotation axis, whereby the back support is set to at least a closed position and an open position, wherein the closed position is a position in which a rear entrance to the walker operating position is closed, and the open position is a position in which a rear entrance to the walker operating position is opened.

3. The walker according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The closed position of the back support is a support position, which is a position in which the back of the user can be supported. The open position of the back support is a non-support position, which is a position that does not support the back of the user.

4. The walker according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Equipped with braking device, The brake device has: a braking mechanism for the mobile unit; and A connecting member connected to the brake mechanism and the back support member, The walker is configured such that a braking mechanism is actuated via a connecting member by a position changing operation of a back support.

5. The walker according to claim 4, characterized in that: The walker is configured such that when the back support is set to the open position, the connecting member causes the braking mechanism to perform a braking operation, and when the back support is set to the closed position, the braking mechanism releases the braking operation.

6. The walker according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: As a back support, there are left and right back supports, The left and right back supports are respectively rotatable in left and right directions and are configured to be set to an open position and a closed position. The open position is a position in which the left and right back supports are rotated in directions away from each other, and the closed position is a position in which the left and right back supports are rotated in directions toward each other.

7. The walker according to claim 2, characterized in that: As a back support, there are left and right back supports, As a handle, there are left and right handles. The left and right back supports are respectively rotatable in left and right directions and are configured to be set to an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position is a position in which the left and right back supports are rotated in a direction away from each other, and the closed position is a position in which the left and right back supports are rotated in a direction toward each other. The left and right handles are configured to be rotatable in left and right directions respectively, and are constructed to be set to a non-operating position and an operating position. The non-operating position is a position in which the left and right handles are rotated away from each other, and the operating position is a position in which the left and right handles are rotated toward each other.

8. The walker according to claim 7, characterized in that: The walker is configured such that when the handle is set to the non-manipulation position, the back support is set to the open position, and when the handle is set to the manipulation position, the back support is set to the closed position.

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