Locking mechanism, folding node and walking aid

Abstract

This invention discloses a locking mechanism, a folding node, and a walking aid, belonging to the field of medical device technology. It is used to lock a folding structure in its unfolded state. The folding structure includes a folding component and a connecting component. The locking mechanism includes a latch and a locking hole. The latch is located on the folding component and includes a locking tongue and a button. The locking tongue is a beveled tongue with outward elasticity, and the button is used to drive the locking tongue inward. The locking hole is located on the connecting component. The folding node includes the folding structure and the aforementioned locking mechanism. The walking aid includes a walking aid body, on which the aforementioned folding node is located. The latch and locking hole are respectively located on the folding component and the connecting component. During locking and unlocking, there is no problem of easily lost external connecting components such as pins. Furthermore, the locking tongue is a beveled tongue, which, relying on elastic reset, can automatically lock in place during unfolding by cooperating with the locking hole. Unlocking is achieved by pressing the button, making both locking and unlocking methods very simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a locking mechanism, a folding node, and a walking aid. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most folding walking aids on the market use a pin-type locking mechanism for their folding components. Specifically, when the user needs to unfold the walking aid to its usable state, they must first manually unfold each folding component to its preset working position, ensuring that the positioning holes on the folding components align with the locking holes of the corresponding connectors. Then, a separate pin is taken out and inserted into the aligned hole, relying on the physical blocking effect of the pin to lock the folding components in place. When the walking aid is no longer needed for easy storage or carrying, the pin is manually removed to release the lock.

[0003] However, the aforementioned pin-type locking mechanism has the following significant drawbacks in practical use, especially in the field of walking aids as medical rehabilitation devices: 1. Complex operation: It requires precise insertion of the pin into a small hole, and the insertion and removal process may require the use of both hands, making it difficult to operate. 2. Prone to loss: As an external connector independent of the walking aid's main body, the pin has no fixed storage location during use. When the walking aid is folded or temporarily unlocked for adjustment, the pin is easily placed down or forgotten. Since the walking aid is frequently carried out (e.g., for medical treatment, outdoor rehabilitation exercises), the pin is extremely easy to lose during transportation or use.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a locking mechanism that is simple to operate and requires no external connectors, in order to overcome the operational difficulties and easy loss of existing pin-type locking methods. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and provide a locking mechanism, a folding node, and a walking aid. The latch and lock hole are respectively set on the folding part and the connecting part. During the locking and unlocking process, there is no problem that external connecting parts such as the pin rod are easily lost. At the same time, the locking tongue is a slanted tongue, which can automatically lock by cooperating with the lock hole during the unfolding process by relying on elastic reset. When unlocking, pressing the button can unlock it. Both locking and unlocking methods are very simple.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention discloses a locking mechanism for locking a folding structure in an unfolded state. The folding structure includes a folding member and a connecting member, which are rotatably connected to achieve the unfolding and folding of the folding structure. The locking mechanism includes a latch and a locking hole. The latch is disposed on the folding member to rotate synchronously with the folding member. The latch includes a bolt and a button. The bolt is a beveled bolt with outward spring capability, and the button is used to drive the bolt to retract inward. The locking hole is disposed on the connecting member for the bolt to be inserted.

[0007] In one embodiment, the extension and retraction direction of the latch is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the connector and the folding member.

[0008] In one embodiment, the latch further includes an elastic element and a transmission element. The button drives the latch to retract inward through the transmission element, and the elastic element provides an elastic restoring force to the transmission element, thereby driving the latch to spring outward.

[0009] In one embodiment, the elastic element includes a spring.

[0010] In one embodiment, the folding member is provided with a hinge seat, and the connecting member is provided with a receiving groove that matches the hinge seat. The hinge seat includes a hinge end and an open end, and the receiving groove includes a connecting end and a limiting end. The hinge end of the hinge seat is hinged to the connecting end of the receiving groove, and the limiting end of the receiving groove is located on the rotation path of the open end of the hinge seat during the unfolding process.

[0011] In one embodiment, the latch is disposed on the open end of the hinge seat, the lock hole is disposed on the limiting end of the receiving groove, the transmission member is slidably connected inside the folding member, the sliding direction of the transmission member is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the folding member and the connecting member, the latch and the button are connected on the same side of the transmission member, and the other side of the transmission member is connected to the folding member through an elastic member.

[0012] In one embodiment, the latch is disposed between the open end and the hinge end of the hinge seat, and the lock hole is disposed between the limiting end and the connecting end of the receiving groove; the transmission member is rotatably connected inside the connecting member, the transmission member is connected to the folding member through an elastic member, the elastic member and the button are located on the same side of the transmission member, the latch is located on the other side of the transmission member, and the hinge axis of the transmission member is located between the button and the elastic member.

[0013] In one embodiment, the open end of the hinge seat has a first inclined surface, and the limiting end of the receiving groove has a second inclined surface that fits against the first inclined surface.

[0014] The present invention also discloses a folding node, including a folding structure and the above-mentioned locking mechanism, wherein the folding structure includes a connector and a folding member.

[0015] The present invention also discloses a walking aid, including a walking aid body, wherein the walking aid body is provided with the above-mentioned folding nodes.

[0016] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art: In this invention, the locking mechanism includes a latch on the folding component and a lock hole on the connecting component. The latch has a bolt, which is a beveled bolt, a movable bolt with an inclined surface that relies on elastic reset. When the folding component and the connecting component are unfolded, the inclined surface of the bolt is compressed and automatically retracts, embedding into the lock hole, and then pops out and locks against the inner wall of the connecting component, thus locking the folding component and the connecting component in the unfolded state. Pressing the button will drive the bolt to retract inward, and by rotating the folding component in the opposite direction, the bolt will smoothly disengage from the lock hole, thereby allowing the folding component and the connecting component to open normally. The locking and unlocking methods are simple and do not require very precise or complex operations. Moreover, since both the latch and the lock hole are located on the folding structure, there is no problem of external connecting components such as pins being easily lost. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained by analyzing these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a front-view three-dimensional structural diagram of the unfolded state of the folded node (lock tongue and button facing the same direction) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a front-view three-dimensional structural diagram of the folded node (lock tongue and button facing the same direction) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a rear-view three-dimensional structural diagram of the unfolded state of the folded node (lock tongue and button facing the same direction) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a rear-view three-dimensional structural diagram of the folded node (lock tongue and button facing the same direction) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a front view structural diagram of the unfolded state of the folded node (lock tongue and button facing the same direction) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the unfolded state of the folded node (lock tongue and button facing the same direction) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism in the unfolded state of the folded node (the latch and the button face the same direction) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the folded structure at the folded node (the latch and button face the same direction) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 This is a front-view three-dimensional structural diagram of the unfolded state of the folded node (the latch and the button face opposite directions) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 This is a rear-view three-dimensional structural diagram of the folded node (the latch and the button face opposite directions) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the locking mechanism in the unfolded state of the folded node (the latch and the button face opposite directions) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the unfolded state of the folded node (the latch and the button face opposite directions) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the folded node (the latch and the button face opposite directions) in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the latch (the latch and the button face opposite directions) in the locking mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Locking tongue; 2. Button; 3. Lock hole; 4. Elastic element; 5. Transmission element; 6. Guide post; 7. Hinge shaft; 100. Folding component; 200. Connecting component; 300. Rotating shaft; 101. Hinge seat; 102. Hinge lugs; 103. First inclined plane; 201. Receiving groove; 202. Hinged single ear; 203. Second inclined plane. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments analyzed and obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] The purpose of this invention is to provide a locking mechanism, a folding node, and a walking aid to solve the problems existing in the prior art. The latch and the lock hole are respectively set on the folding part and the connecting part. During the locking and unlocking process, there is no problem that external connecting parts such as the pin rod are easily lost. At the same time, the locking tongue is a slanted tongue, which can automatically lock by cooperating with the lock hole during the unfolding process by relying on elastic reset. When unlocking, pressing the button can unlock it. Both locking and unlocking methods are very simple.

[0022] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] Example 1 like Figures 1 to 14 As shown, this embodiment provides a locking mechanism for locking a folding structure in its unfolded state. The folding structure can be a folding structure on a walking aid, a folding structure on a wheelchair, or a folding structure on other unfoldable devices, etc. The folding structure includes a folding member 100 and a connecting member 200, which are rotatably connected to achieve the unfolding and folding of the folding structure. Specifically, the folding structure includes a latch and a locking hole 3. The latch is disposed on the folding member 100 to rotate synchronously with the folding member 100. The latch includes a locking tongue 1 and a button 2. The locking tongue 1 is a beveled tongue with outward spring capability (a beveled tongue is a movable locking tongue with a beveled surface in the lock and relies on elastic reset), and the button 2 is used to drive the locking tongue 1 to retract inward. The locking hole 3 is disposed on the connecting member 200 for the locking tongue 1 to be inserted.

[0024] Working principle: (1) Locking process of folding structure: The folding member 100 is rotated in the forward direction, causing the folding member 100 and the connecting member 200 to unfold. During the unfolding process, the locking tongue 1 will be inserted into the lock hole 3. During the insertion process, the inclined surface of the locking tongue 1 (slanted tongue) is squeezed and automatically retracts. When the locking tongue 1 is fully inserted, it will pop out and get stuck on the inner wall of the connecting member 200, so that the locking tongue 1 will not come out of the lock hole 3, and thus the folding member 100 cannot be rotated in the reverse direction, so that the folding member 100 and the connecting member 200 can be folded. (2) Unlocking process of the folding structure: Press button 2, which will drive the latch 1 to retract inward, so that the latch 1 is no longer stuck on the inner wall of the connector 200, but retracts into the range of the corresponding lock hole 3. At this time, rotate the folding part 100 in reverse, and the latch 1 will smoothly disengage from the lock hole 3. The folding part 100 and the connector 200 can then be folded and stored normally.

[0025] In one embodiment of this invention, the extension and retraction direction of the latch 1 is perpendicular to the rotation axis 300 of the connector 200 and the folding member 100.

[0026] In one embodiment of this invention, the latch further includes an elastic element 4 and a transmission element 5. The button 2 drives the latch 1 to retract inward via the transmission element 5, and the elastic element 4 provides an elastic restoring force to the transmission element 5, driving the latch 1 to spring outward.

[0027] In one embodiment of this invention, the elastic element 4 includes a spring.

[0028] In one embodiment of this invention, the folding member 100 is provided with a hinge seat 101. The connecting member 200 is provided with a receiving groove 201, which matches the hinge seat 101. The hinge seat 101 includes a hinge end and an open end, and the receiving groove 201 includes a connecting end and a limiting end. The hinge end of the hinge seat 101 is hinged to the connecting end of the receiving groove 201 to achieve a rotatable connection between the folding member 100 and the connecting member 200. The limiting end of the receiving groove 201 is located on the rotational path of the open end of the hinge seat 101 during the unfolding process to limit the hinge seat 101.

[0029] In one embodiment of this invention, the latch 1 is disposed on the open end of the hinge seat 101, and the lock hole 3 is disposed on the limiting end of the receiving groove 201. The transmission member 5 is slidably connected inside the folding member 100, and the sliding direction of the transmission member 5 is perpendicular to the rotation axis 300 of the folding member 100 and the connecting member 200. The latch 1 and the button 2 are connected to the same side of the transmission member 5, and the other side of the transmission member 5 is connected to the folding member 100 via an elastic member 4. Pressing the button 2 drives the latch 1 to retract. The elastic member 4 can drive the latch 1 to extend outward after the button 2 is released.

[0030] In one embodiment of this invention, the elastic element 4 includes two springs. The folding element 100 has a first sliding hole and a second sliding hole on its front side. The button 2 is slidably connected to the first sliding hole, and the latch 1 is slidably connected to the second sliding hole. The latch 1 and the button 2 are respectively mounted at both ends of the transmission element 5. The transmission element 5 has a guide groove at one end corresponding to the button 2. Guide posts 6 are provided in the guide groove and at the middle position of the transmission element 5, and the two springs are respectively sleeved on the two guide posts 6. One end of the spring abuts or is fixed to the back of the folding element 100 (the side facing the connector 200 after folding), and the other end of the spring abuts or is fixed to the transmission element 5. The automatic reset of the latch 1 and the button 2 is achieved through the two springs.

[0031] In one embodiment of this invention, the latch 1 is disposed between the open end and the hinge end of the hinge seat 101. The lock hole 3 is disposed between the limiting end and the connecting end of the receiving groove 201. The transmission member 5 is rotatably connected inside the connecting member 200, and the transmission member 5 is connected to the folding member 100 through the elastic member 4. The elastic member 4 and the button 2 are located on the same side of the transmission member 5, and the latch 1 is located on the other side of the transmission member 5. The hinge shaft 7 of the transmission member 5 is located between the button 2 and the elastic member 4. Pressing the button 2 can drive the latch 1 to retract. The elastic member 4 can drive the latch 1 to extend outward after the button 2 is released.

[0032] In one embodiment of this invention, the elastic element 4 includes a spring. The front of the folding element 100 has a first sliding hole, and the back of the folding element 100 (the side facing the connector 200 after folding) has a second sliding hole. The button 2 is slidably connected to the first sliding hole, and the latch 1 is slidably connected to the second sliding hole. The latch 1 and the button 2 are respectively mounted at both ends of the transmission element 5. The transmission element 5 has a guide groove at one end corresponding to the button 2. A hinge shaft 7 is provided in the middle of the transmission element 5, and the hinge shaft 7 is rotatably connected to the folding element 100. On the side of the transmission element 5 where the button 2 is located, a guide post 6 is provided, and the hinge shaft 7 is located between the guide post 6 and the button 2. The spring is sleeved on the guide post 6. One end of the spring abuts or is fixed to the front of the folding element 100, and the other end of the spring abuts or is fixed to the transmission element 5. The spring enables the automatic reset of the latch 1 and the button 2.

[0033] In one embodiment of this invention, the connecting end of the receiving groove 201 is provided with a hinged single ear 202, and the hinged end of the hinged seat 101 is provided with a hinged double ear 102. The hinged double ear 102 and the hinged single ear 202 are rotatably connected by a rotating shaft 300.

[0034] In one embodiment of this invention, the open end of the hinge seat 101 has a first inclined surface 103, and the limiting end of the receiving groove 201 has a second inclined surface 203, which is fitted to the first inclined surface 103. The cooperation of the second inclined surface 203 guides the engagement between the hinge seat 101 and the receiving groove 201, allowing the hinge seat 101 to smoothly slide into and out of the receiving groove 201.

[0035] Example 2 like Figures 1 to 14 As shown, this embodiment provides a folding node, including a folding structure and a locking mechanism as described in embodiment one. The folding structure includes a folding member 100 and a connecting member 200. The folding node can be used on a walking aid, a wheelchair, or other unfoldable devices.

[0036] Example 3 This embodiment provides a walking aid, including a walking aid body, on which the folding node of Embodiment 2 is provided.

[0037] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for locking a folding structure in an unfolded state, the folding structure comprising a folding member and a connecting member, the folding member and the connecting member being rotatably connected to achieve the unfolding and folding of the folding structure, characterized in that, It includes a latch and a lock hole; the latch is disposed on the folding member so as to rotate synchronously with the folding member; the latch includes a latch tongue and a button, the latch tongue is a beveled latch with outward spring capability, and the button is used to drive the latch tongue to retract inward; the lock hole is disposed on the connecting member for the latch tongue to be inserted.

2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The extension and retraction direction of the latch is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the connector and the folding member.

3. The locking mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The latch also includes an elastic element and a transmission element. The button drives the latch to retract inward through the transmission element, and the elastic element provides elastic restoring force to the transmission element, thereby driving the latch to spring outward.

4. The locking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elastic element includes a spring.

5. The locking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The folding member is provided with a hinge seat, and the connecting member is provided with a receiving groove that matches the hinge seat. The hinge seat includes a hinge end and an open end, and the receiving groove includes a connecting end and a limiting end. The hinge end of the hinge seat is hinged to the connecting end of the receiving groove, and the limiting end of the receiving groove is located on the rotation path of the open end of the hinge seat during the unfolding process.

6. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, The latch is located on the open end of the hinge seat, the lock hole is located on the limiting end of the receiving groove, the transmission component is slidably connected inside the folding component, the sliding direction of the transmission component is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the folding component and the connecting component, the latch and the button are connected on the same side of the transmission component, and the other side of the transmission component is connected to the folding component through an elastic element.

7. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking tongue is disposed between the open end and the hinge end of the hinge seat, and the locking hole is disposed between the limiting end and the connecting end of the receiving groove; the transmission component is rotatably connected inside the connecting component, and the transmission component is connected to the folding component through an elastic component. The elastic component and the button are located on the same side of the transmission component, the locking tongue is located on the other side of the transmission component, and the hinge axis of the transmission component is located between the button and the elastic component.

8. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, The open end of the hinge seat has a first inclined surface, and the limiting end of the receiving groove has a second inclined surface that fits against the first inclined surface.

9. A folded node, characterized in that, It includes a folding structure and the locking mechanism as described in claims 1-8, wherein the folding structure includes a connector and a folding member.

10. A walking aid, characterized in that, It includes a walking aid body, on which a folding node as described in claim 9 is provided.

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