A folding mechanism for a walking aid

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of walking aid technology, specifically a folding mechanism for a walking aid. The utility model discloses a folding mechanism for a walking aid, including two cross-arranged support beams hinged at their center. The lower ends of both support beams are hinged to the walking aid via a first connecting assembly, and the upper ends of both support beams are movably connected to the walking aid via a second connecting assembly. A connecting beam is hinged between the portion of the support beam above the hinge point and the second connecting assembly on the same side. A through-hole positioning pin is provided on the portion of the support beam above the hinge point. A locking assembly is provided between the support beam and the connecting beam on the same side, and the locking assembly cooperates with the positioning pin. This utility model has the advantage of improving the stability and durability of the walking aid during long-term use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of walking aid technology, specifically a folding mechanism for walking aids. Background Technology

[0002] Chinese Patent Application No. 202310997487.4 discloses a foldable walking aid, including a bottom device, a support device rotatably mounted on the bottom device, and a locking device for locking the support device to the bottom device. The support device includes two support parts and two connecting rods, with the lower ends of the connecting rods rotatably connected to the support parts one by one. The locking device includes a fixing mechanism, a connecting mechanism, a linkage mechanism, and a movement mechanism. When the fixing mechanism is connected to the connecting mechanism, it locks the support device to the bottom device. The linkage mechanism receives the movement of the support device and provides feedback to the movement mechanism. The movement mechanism controls the movement of the connecting mechanism based on the feedback from the linkage mechanism to release the connection between the connecting mechanism and the fixing mechanism.

[0003] In the above technical solution, the locking device is used to lock and unlock the support device and the bottom device to maintain the stability of the walker during normal use. However, in actual use, when the patient repeatedly lifts and lowers the foldable walker in the unfolded state, the locking device is located at the rotational connection between the lower end of the connecting rod and the support part. This results in a short resistance arm of the locking device. During the repeated lifting and lowering of the walker, the locking device is very likely to reach its fatigue yield limit and fail after prolonged use. This causes the walker to loosen during repeated lifting and lowering, resulting in low stability and potential safety hazards. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a folding mechanism for a walking aid that can guarantee its service life and thus ensure the stability of the walking aid during normal use.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model discloses a folding mechanism for a walking aid, comprising two intersecting support beams, with the center of the two support beams hinged together. The lower ends of both support beams are hinged to the walking aid via a first connecting assembly, and the upper ends of both support beams are movably connected to the walking aid via a second connecting assembly. A connecting beam is hinged between the portion of the support beam above the hinge point and the second connecting assembly on the same side. A through-hole positioning pin is provided on the portion of the support beam above the hinge point. A locking assembly is provided between the support beam and the connecting beam on the same side, and the locking assembly cooperates with the positioning pin.

[0006] When the walker needs to be folded and stored after unfolding, unlock the locking component. The locking component rotates away from the positioning pin, causing the support beams on both sides to close under the action of the hinge shaft. The support beams on both sides rotate relative to the first and second connecting components on the walker. When the support beams on both sides are folded to the limit towards the overall center position of the walker, the folding and storage is completed.

[0007] This invention, by placing the locking assembly between the support beam and the connecting beam, compared to the traditional design where the locking assembly is directly placed at the rotational connection between the lower end of the connecting rod and the support, increases the length of the resistance arm formed between the locking device and the hinge point. Consequently, during the patient's repeated lifting and lowering of the walker, the force borne by the locking device is more dispersed, reducing the force per unit area or unit length. This lowers the risk of the locking device reaching its fatigue yield limit, improves its stability and durability, and ensures patient safety. This invention has the advantage of improving the stability and durability of the walker during long-term use.

[0008] Preferably, the locking assembly includes a locking block disposed on the connecting beam, a barb extending above the locking block, a loop fastener on the side of the locking block away from the connecting beam, a rotating shaft and a sliding pin on the side of the locking block near the connecting beam, a groove on the connecting beam, an elastic element disposed in the groove, the locking block being rotatably connected to the connecting beam via the rotating shaft, the sliding pin being located in the groove and abutting against the elastic element, and the width of the sliding pin being less than the distance between the inner sidewalls of the groove.

[0009] The locking block rotates relative to the connecting beam by rotating the shaft, thereby causing the sliding pin to slide within the groove and compress the elastic element, thus unlocking the device. The sliding pin can be a cylindrical or prismatic component. The elastic element can be any component that can provide elastic force to the sliding pin through the physical properties of its material, enabling it to move back and forth.

[0010] Preferably, the inner annular surface of the barb portion fits into the outer circular surface of the locating pin.

[0011] By setting the inner annular surface of the barb to match the outer circular surface of the locating pin, the stability of the barb when it abuts against the locating pin is ensured, and external forces are prevented from causing the barb to loosen from the locating pin.

[0012] Preferably, the upper end of the barb portion has a rounded chamfer structure.

[0013] The chamfered structure of the hook part makes it easy for the positioning pin on the support beam to abut against the locking block after the walker is deployed. The force between the positioning pin and the chamfered structure of the hook part causes the locking block to automatically move out of position, which is convenient for operation.

[0014] Preferably, the included angle between the sliding pin, the rotating shaft, and the barb portion is less than 180°.

[0015] Because the sliding pin is located in the groove near the hinge point of the two support beams, it ensures that the sliding pin has enough space to move to the left, and cooperates with the locking block to rotate away from the positioning pin.

[0016] Preferably, the first connecting assembly includes a first fixing block and a sleeve hinged to the first fixing block. The sleeve includes a connecting portion and a hinge portion. The hinge portion of the sleeve is hinged to the first fixing block, and the connecting portion of the sleeve is connected to the lower end of the support beam.

[0017] Compared to the method where the lower end of the support beam is directly hinged to the main body of the walker, this method avoids processing the main body of the walker, ensuring the structural strength of the main body of the walker while enabling relative rotation between the support beam and the main body of the walker.

[0018] Preferably, the second connecting component includes a second fixing block, and the connecting beam is hinged between the portion of the support beam located above the hinge point and the second fixing block. This allows for relative rotation between the support beam and the main body of the walker while limiting the movement path of the upper end of the support beam, ensuring the stability of the walker when it is in the unfolded state for human use.

[0019] Preferably, the upper end of the second fixing block is provided with a bearing groove, which can ensure the stability of the upper end of the support beam when the walker is in the unfolded state.

[0020] This invention reduces the risk of the locking device reaching its fatigue yield limit during repeated lifting and lowering of the walking aid by the patient, thereby ensuring the patient's safety during use and improving the stability and durability of the walking aid during long-term use. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one structure of the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the locking component of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the locking block of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in the unfolded state of this utility model.

[0025] In the diagram: 11. Support beam; 12. First fixing block; 13. Sleeve; 14. Second fixing block; 15. Connecting beam; 16. Groove; 17. Thrust spring; 20. Locking block; 201. Buckle; 202. Through hole; 203. Barb; 21. Rotating shaft; 22. Sliding pin; 23. Positioning pin; 24. Seat cushion; 25. Mounting bracket; 26. Strap. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] Depend on Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment discloses a folding mechanism for a walking aid, including two intersecting support beams 11, which are composed of... Figure 2 As shown, the upper ends of the two support beams 11 are provided with mounting brackets 25 for mounting seat cushions 24. Seat cushions 24 are located between the two mounting brackets 25, providing support for the patient during rest. The two support beams 11 are hinged at their center. The lower ends of both support beams 11 are hinged to the walker via a first connecting assembly, and the upper ends of both support beams 11 are movably connected to the walker via a second connecting assembly. A connecting beam 15 is hinged between the upper part of the support beam 11 (the part above the hinge point) and the second connecting assembly on the same side. A through-hole positioning pin 23 is provided on the part of the support beam 11 above the hinge point. Both ends of the positioning pin 23 axially penetrate the support beam 11 and are fixed to the support beam 11 by nuts with external threaded connections. A locking assembly is provided between the support beam 11 and the connecting beam 15 on the same side. Figure 2 As shown, the locking assembly includes a locking block 20 disposed on the connecting beam 15. A barb portion 203 extends above the locking block 20. The upper end of the barb portion 203 has an arc-shaped chamfer structure. The inner ring surface of the barb portion 203 fits with the outer ring surface of the positioning pin 23. The locking block 20 is rotatably connected to the connecting beam 15 via a rotating shaft 21. A sliding pin 22 is provided on the side of the locking block 20 near the connecting beam 15. The sliding pin 22 is located below the axis of the rotating shaft 21, and the barb portion 203 is located above the axis of the rotating shaft 21, thus forming an opposing arrangement with the barb portion 203. A groove 16 is provided on the connecting beam 15 to cooperate with the sliding pin 22. A thrust spring 17 is provided in the groove 16. The locking block 20 is rotatably connected to the connecting beam 15 via a rotating shaft 21. The sliding pin 22 is located in the groove 16 and abuts against the thrust spring 17.

[0028] The locking block 20 has a loop fastener 201 on the side opposite to the connecting beam 15. The loop fastener 201 has a through hole 202 for fixing one end of the strap 26 that passes through the seat cushion 24. The other end of the strap 26 passes through the seat cushion 24 and is connected to the second connecting component on the other side. When the patient lifts the strap 26, the traction force of the strap 26 on the loop fastener 201 can make the locking block 20 rotate clockwise, thereby moving the locking block 20 away from the positioning pin 23. Compared with fixing both ends of the strap 26 to the seat cushion (which requires unlocking the locking block 20 first and then lifting the strap 26 to unlock), the locking block 20 can be unlocked with just the single action of lifting the strap 26.

[0029] Depend on Figure 3 As shown, the included angle between the sliding pin 22, the rotating shaft 21, and the barb 203 is less than 180°. When the locking block 20 rotates clockwise, the locking block 20 drives the barb 203 to rotate clockwise synchronously to unlock. Since the width of the sliding pin 22 is less than the distance between the inner sidewalls of the groove 16, the sliding pin 22 can slide along the length of the groove 16 and compress the thrust spring 17. Since the sliding pin 22 is located in the groove 16 near the hinge point of the two support beams 11, it ensures that the sliding pin 22 has enough space to move to the left, cooperating with the locking block 20 to rotate away from the positioning pin 23.

[0030] The first connecting component includes a first fixing block 12 and a sleeve 13 hinged to the first fixing block 12. The sleeve 13 includes a connecting part and a hinge part, which are inverted T-shaped to ensure the stability of the hinge part structure when the connecting beam 15 rotates relative to the first connecting component. The hinge part of the sleeve 13 is hinged to the first fixing block 12, and the connecting part of the sleeve 13 is connected to the lower end of the support beam 11. The second connecting component includes a second fixing block 14. The connecting beam 15 is hinged between the portion of the support beam 11 located above the hinge point and the second fixing block 14. The upper end of the second fixing block 14 is provided with a bearing groove for supporting the mounting frame 25, thereby ensuring the stability of the upper end of the support beam 11 and the seat cushion 24 in the walker's unfolded state.

[0031] When the walker needs to be folded, the patient holds the strap 26, and the traction force of the strap 26 on the buckle 201 causes the locking block 20 to rotate clockwise. The locking block 20 drives the hook part 203 to rotate clockwise synchronously, that is, to rotate away from the positioning pin 23. At this time, since the length of the connecting beam 15 is shorter than that of the support beam 11 and is hinged to the upper part of the support beam 11, the swing amplitude of the support beam 11 is greater than that of the connecting beam 15. Therefore, after unlocking, the locking block 20 always moves slower than the positioning pin 23. The sliding pin 22 slides along the length of the groove 16 in the groove 16 and compresses the thrust spring 17 to unlock. At this time, the traction force at both ends of the strap 26 can make the two hinged support beams 11 close together. The support beams 11 rotate relative to the walker through the sleeve 13 and the second fixing block 14 respectively, realizing the folding of the walker.

[0032] When the walker needs to be unfolded, hold the mounting bracket 25 at the upper end of the support beam 11 and move the two support beams 11 away from each other until the seat is flat. During this process, the positioning pin 23 abuts against the chamfered structure at the upper end of the hook part 203, thereby causing the hook part 203 to drive the locking block 20 to rotate clockwise by a certain angle and compress the thrust spring 17 to avoid the positioning pin 23. When the support beam 11 drives the positioning pin 23 to swing to the position corresponding to the inner ring surface of the hook part 203, the thrust spring 17 pushes the sliding pin 22 to slide in the groove 16, causing the locking block 20 to rotate back to the initial position.

Claims

1. A folding mechanism for a walking aid, comprising two intersecting support beams, the two support beams being hinged at their center, the lower ends of both support beams being hinged to the walking aid via a first connecting assembly, and the upper ends of both support beams being movably connected to the walking aid via a second connecting assembly, wherein a connecting beam is hinged between the portion of each support beam above the hinge point and the second connecting assembly on the same side, characterized in that: The portion of the support beam located above the hinge point is provided with a through-hole positioning pin. A locking assembly is provided between the support beam and the connecting beam on the same side, and the locking assembly cooperates with the positioning pin.

2. The folding mechanism for a walking aid according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking assembly includes a locking block disposed on the connecting beam, with a barb extending above the locking block. A loop fastener is provided on the side of the locking block away from the connecting beam. A rotating shaft and a sliding pin are provided on the side of the locking block near the connecting beam. A groove is provided on the connecting beam, and an elastic element is provided in the groove. The locking block is rotatably connected to the connecting beam through the rotating shaft. The sliding pin is located in the groove and abuts against the elastic element. The width of the sliding pin is smaller than the distance between the inner sidewalls of the groove.

3. The folding mechanism for a walking aid according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner ring surface of the barb portion fits into the outer ring surface of the locating pin.

4. A folding mechanism for a walking aid according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The upper end of the barb has a rounded chamfered structure.

5. A folding mechanism for a walking aid according to claim 4, characterized in that: The included angle between the sliding pin, the rotating shaft, and the barb is less than 180°.

6. A folding mechanism for a walking aid according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first connecting assembly includes a first fixing block and a sleeve hinged to the first fixing block. The sleeve includes a connecting part and a hinged part. The hinged part of the sleeve is hinged to the first fixing block, and the connecting part of the sleeve is connected to the lower end of the support beam.

7. A folding mechanism for a walking aid according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second connecting component includes a second fixing block, and the connecting beam is hinged between the portion of the support beam located above the hinge point and the second fixing block.

8. A folding mechanism for a walking aid according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second fixing block has a bearing groove at its upper end.

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