Movement device for persons

Abstract

Mobility device for persons (1) with a frame (10) with at least three wheels (19, 23), wherein at least one wheel (23) is designed as a steering wheel (23) rotatable about its vertical axis (C), wherein the frame (10) is open on one side, characterized by a control element (3) which is designed to be operated by a user with at least one hand and to be rotated about its vertical axis (B) relative to the frame (10), wherein the movement device (1) is designed, in a sliding operation to connect the control element (3) to the frame (10) in a fixed position and to allow the steering wheel (23) to rotate independently of the control element (3) about its vertical axis (C) and in a driving operation the control element (3) is to be rotated relative to the frame (10) about its vertical axis (B) and the control element (3) is to align the steering wheel (23) about its vertical axis (C).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a movement device for persons according to claim 1.

[0002] It is known that both temporary and permanent limitations of motor and physical function in people can often lead to a reduction in individual mobility. Particularly with increasing age, those affected typically complain of a loss of independent action, which is attributable to these developing deficits in motor and physical function. Therefore, various walking aids are available to support these individuals in their individual mobility.

[0003] So-called walking frames or walking racks are support frames which are stationary and usually have three to four contact points. A person can usually support themselves mainly from above on such a walking frame. A seat for the user can be provided between the handles for support. In order to move or walk, the person must lift the walking frame and place it back on the ground in the desired direction of movement. The need to constantly move such walking frames can make it difficult for the user to bridge even small obstacles. Therefore, such walking frames are not suitable for overcoming long distances outdoors and are only suitable for overcoming relatively short distances.Walking frames and walking stands are therefore used exclusively indoors, which is why they are classified as “walking aids for indoor use” by the German statutory health insurance companies.

[0004] As a further development of such walking frames and walking stands, a walking frame with wheels is commonly referred to as a walker. Thanks to its wheels, the movable walking frame of a walker does not need to be lifted while walking; instead, the walker can be pushed along the ground by the user. This allows a walker to stabilize the user both while standing and walking, thus preventing the risk of falls and supporting the user's mobility. Walking frames are also classified by German statutory health insurance providers as "walking aids for indoor use."

[0005] The term "rollator" still generally refers to walkers specifically designed for outdoor use. These have larger wheels than indoor walkers to overcome small obstacles and cover medium distances.

[0006] Walkers generally have a frame with up to four wheels as contact points. Two handles at the top of the frame can be grasped by the user with one hand each to support themselves on the walker and to push the walker in the desired direction. To increase the stability of the walker frame when the user is sitting, standing or supporting themselves, despite the use of wheels, levers are usually provided to lock at least two wheels. Also to increase stability, the frame's contact points are usually arranged in a trapezoidal shape. The distance between the two front wheels is parallel to each other and smaller than the distance between the rear wheels. The front wheels of the walker are generally designed as swivel castors and the rear wheels as rigid fixed castors. Constructed as a frame with three castors, a walker orA rollator is also known as a delta bike or delta walker. The delta walker is equipped with only one swivel caster as the single front wheel; the delta walker also has two rear wheels designed as rigid fixed casters.

[0007] A swivel caster is a caster that can pivot around a vertical axis of rotation and align itself independently in the direction of movement of the walker it supports. The vertical axis of rotation is offset, or caster, from the swivel caster, which is then dragged along. If the direction of movement of the walker supported by the swivel caster changes, the swivel caster first rotates radially around the vertical axis of rotation in the new direction of movement and then, in correspondence with the frame, describes the corrected direction of movement. A walker equipped with swivel casters can therefore be oriented and moved by the user in the desired direction of movement. There is no need to lift the frame. The use of swivel casters therefore ensures the maneuverability required for the walking aid, such as turning on a spot or in the middle.

[0008] The disadvantage here is that the use of swivel castors in order to improve maneuverability on common walkers such as rollators can have a negative impact on straight-line stability, particularly at speeds greater than walking speed and particularly when used in a similar way to a balance bike. The use of swivel castors on such walkers therefore carries the risk, particularly when moving at speeds greater than walking speed, that at least one swivel castor will be misaligned or even transverse to the direction of movement. This could cause the walker to tip over and the user to fall. For this reason, the use of common trailing swivel castors on walkers is only possible if the user can only move the walker at a sufficiently low walking speed such as a walker or rollator.Push operation is carried out so that the castors can be aligned in the direction of movement.

[0009] Although the usability of walkers for indoor and outdoor use has basically been achieved, improvements are continually being described. These relate to various aspects of the functionality of walkers, such as improved lane keeping properties of walkers. DE 10 2004 036 864 A1, for example, describes a cart for pushing by hand, in particular a walking aid cart, with four wheels pivoting in wheel forks, of which the front wheels and / or the rear wheels with their wheel forks are each mounted on the cart frame so that they can rotate about a vertical axis of rotation, wherein the wheel forks of the front wheels and / or the wheel forks of the rear wheels are frictionally coupled to one another. This allows the swivel casters to be aligned parallel to one another, which can prevent a swivel caster from twisting, particularly when there is no contact with the ground, e.g. when moving on unpaved paths and over small obstacles.However, since this does not rule out the possibility that both castors will be positioned at an angle or transversely to the direction of movement, the walker of DE 10 2004 036 864 A1 is only suitable for walking or pushing at low walking speeds, but not for the higher speeds of driving, which can be similar to using a balance bike.

[0010] DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 describes a rollator with handles for steering, multiple wheels, and a battery-powered electric drive. The rear wheels are located on an imaginary axis and spaced apart to create a free space in the area of ​​the rear frame. The rollator is designed as a three-wheeled vehicle with one front wheel and two rear wheels. The front wheel can be pivoted using a handlebar with handles and has a wheel hub motor. Two footboards are formed in the free space in the area of ​​the rear wheels, which can be individually pivoted into the free space on opposite sides. A foldable seat bar can be folded forward to create the free space and make the footboards usable. When folded backward, the free space can be covered by the seat bar. When electrically powered, the user can either sit on the seat bar or stand on the footboards.

[0011] A disadvantage of the device in DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 is that this device is actually an electric three-wheeled scooter and not a walker. Due to the design of the frame and the steering, it cannot be used while walking or pushing, as is the case with the previously described walkers. Furthermore, the steering, which is designed for driving, results in very limited maneuverability compared to the previously described walkers, which is more like the maneuverability of a tricycle than a walker. Since a tricycle, due to its design, requires a comparatively large turning circle, a tricycle such as the device in DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 is not suitable for use as a walker. In particular, the device in DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 cannot be turned on the spot by the user, nor can it be aligned and pushed in all directions from a standing position, as is usual with walkers.This is precisely what characterises a walker and its function of supporting the user’s mobility and is missing from the device of DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 due to its design.

[0012] Another disadvantage of the known walkers and the device in DE 20 2017 000 074 U1 is that they always have a so-called step-through. The step-through is a term in bicycle frame construction and refers to the height of the down tube of the frame and thus the barrier that connects the front and rear of the bicycle in the direction of travel and which the user must overcome when getting on and off the bicycle. Although attempts are made to keep any step-through that may be present in the design of walkers for physically disabled people to a minimum, such a step-through is generally present due to the design. However, crossing this step-through often represents a relevant or even insurmountable barrier for the target group of users with physical and motor disabilities, which can make use of the vehicle difficult or even impossible.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a movement device of the type described above, the use of which can be simplified and / or made more comfortable. In particular, the movement device should be avoided. Additionally or alternatively, the movement device should be usable both for walking or pushing operation and for driving operation. In particular, safe maneuvering, steering and aligning for the user should be enabled both in walking or pushing operation and in driving operation. Additionally or alternatively, a movement device should be created which can be used both indoors and outdoors and / or over short distances as well as medium to long distances. At the very least, an alternative to known movement devices of this type should be created.

[0014] The object is achieved according to the invention by a movement device for persons having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

[0015] The present invention thus relates to a mobility device for people comprising a frame with at least three wheels, wherein at least one wheel is designed as a castor and is rotatable about its vertical axis. The vertical axis of a vehicle, such as a mobility device, is understood to be the vertical axis of the vehicle-fixed coordinate system. The vertical axis can also be referred to as the yaw axis or the vertical axis. The mobility device can also be referred to as a means of locomotion. The frame is open on one side.

[0016] The invention is based on the finding that balance bikes, bicycles, tricycles and similar movement devices which are suitable for driving and in particular for overcoming medium to long distances usually have a so-called step-through as described above, which can be a hindrance at least for people with physically and motorically restricted mobility or can even preclude the use of such a movement device.

[0017] The frame of the movement device is therefore designed such that it is open on one side. In this way, the user can enter the movement device from the side of the open frame without having to climb over part of the frame. For this purpose, the frame can be designed in particular in a C-shape in order to connect a front part of the movement device with a rear part of the movement device in the longitudinal direction on the side opposite the entry in the transverse direction. The front part of the movement device can have a control unit and at least one front wheel, which can in particular be the aforementioned swivel castor. Two swivel castors can also be used as the front wheels. The rear part of the movement device can have a seat and at least one rear wheel, which can preferably be designed as a fixed castor.In this way, the use of the movement device according to the invention can be facilitated or enabled, in particular, for people for whom a known so-called passage may be a hindrance.

[0018] Preferably, the front and rear parts of the movement device are releasably connected to one another in a force-locking and / or positive-locking manner, so that the two parts can be separated from one another, pivoted and / or moved relative to one another, for example, for loading and transporting the movement device. This allows the user to reduce the volume of the movement device in at least two parts, or by folding and / or pushing it together, which can be advantageous, for example, for loading it into the trunk of a passenger car.

[0019] Preferably, with a separable frame of the movement device, the side of an entry can also be adapted in this way, as previously described, to the user's needs or desire in the transverse direction between right or left. Preferably, a modular adaptation of at least one part of the movement device, preferably the rear part of the movement device, can also be carried out to a single-track or two-track operation of the corresponding part of the movement device. For this purpose, the frame of the movement device can also be designed to be separable, foldable, and / or slidable into more than two parts in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction.

[0020] According to the invention, the movement device has a control element which is designed to be operated by a user with at least one hand and to be rotated about its vertical axis relative to the frame, wherein the movement device is designed to connect the control element fixedly to the frame in a pushing operation and to allow the steering roller to rotate about its vertical axis independently of the control element and to allow the control element to rotate about its vertical axis relative to the frame in a driving operation and the control element to align the steering roller about its vertical axis.

[0021] Pushing mode is the movement of the movement device by a user in which the movement device is pushed or pressed away by the user while the user has at least one foot touching the ground. Pushing mode can also be referred to as walking mode. Pushing or walking operation of the movement device corresponds to the familiar use of a walker or rollator. A separate steering technology such as a steering head steering, a pivot axle steering or a kingpin steering to change the direction of the movement device similar to a balance bike, bicycle, tricycle and the like can be dispensed with in push mode. In particular, such a steering option can be a hindrance in push mode, as it can prevent, for example, turning on the spot as with a conventional walker or rollator due to the steering.

[0022] Driving mode is a type of movement in which the user drives the movement device by pushing off the ground with their feet, thereby lifting both feet off the ground, at least briefly. To do this, the user can support themselves on the frame and in particular on the control element and / or sit on a seat element such as a saddle. In other words, driving mode is the movement of the movement device through the user's muscle power, comparable to that of a balance bike, for example. If necessary, an additional drive, in particular an electric drive, as will be described below, can be used to support or generate the driving force.

[0023] The invention is based on the idea that for the use of a mobility device, such as a walker or rollator as described above, in pushing or walking mode, the use of at least one castor is essential to enable the user to maneuver the device in any direction, even on the spot and from a standing position. Such mobility or maneuverability of such a mobility device is necessary so that the mobility device can provide the user with the desired support during movement, similar to a conventional walker or rollator.

[0024] However, in order to be able to use the movement device not only for walking or pushing at a correspondingly low walking speed and thus usually over short distances, the movement device according to the invention also enables driving operation. In this way, medium and long distances, particularly outdoors, can also be covered in driving mode, for example when used as a balance bike. However, since, as described at the beginning, it is hindering or even dangerous for driving operation to maintain the usual rotational mobility of the castor as in a walker or rollator, the at least one castor can be steered by the user in the driving mode as in a tricycle or the like. If the movement device is operated in a way comparable to the intended use of a balance bike, phases orMoments may occur in which both feet of the user are not necessarily on the ground. Since propulsion is not directly provided by the user's force during these moments, the walker cannot be effectively steered by the user in this state with freely rotating casters. Instead, a steering system such as a steering head, a pivot axle, or a steering knuckle, comparable to a balance bike, bicycle, tricycle, and the like, is required in this situation.

[0025] In other words, the movement device is designed to allow the castor to rotate freely around its vertical axis in push or walk mode in order to maintain the maneuverability of a walker or rollator. At the same time, the control element, which can be designed in particular as a handlebar, can be fixedly connected to the frame of the movement device in this state in order to be used for pushing and aligning the frame, as is usual with a walker or rollator. In the drive mode, however, the fixed coupling of the control element to the frame can be removed so that the control element can function like the handlebars of a balance bike, bicycle or tricycle. In this state, the castor can be coupled to the control element in such a way that the castor can be moved by the control element and aligned around its vertical axis.In this way, for driving operation, which corresponds to the use of a balance bike, bicycle, or tricycle, the control element and the castor can be configured accordingly and coupled to each other for rotational movement. This makes it possible, according to the invention, to use the movement device both in push or walk mode like a walker or rollator, with the corresponding maneuverability and stability, and to enable faster movement and movement over longer distances in driving mode, comparable to a balance bike, bicycle, or tricycle.

[0026] For example, by using the mobility device in driving mode, a user can cover a distance to the nearest bakery, comparable to riding a balance bike, which can be more comfortable and faster than moving at walking speed. Once there, the user can use the mobility device in walking or pushing mode, similar to a standard walker or rollator, allowing them to move around the bakery with the appropriate maneuverability.

[0027] The necessary locking or unlocking of the relative mobility of the control element relative to the frame, as well as of the caster relative to the control element, can be achieved by various mechanical and / or mechatronic solutions. For example, these connections between the elements can be established or released by actuating actuators or mechanical traction mechanisms, which can be performed, in particular, by the user by operating or actuating the movement device, for example, on the control element. This creates a variety of possibilities for implementing the above-described inventive functionalities on the movement device and utilizing the corresponding properties and advantages, as described above.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the frame has a control element receptacle which is fixedly connected to the frame, and the control element has a control shaft which is connected to the control element receptacle so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis of the control element, wherein the movement device is designed to prevent the rotational mobility of the control shaft about its vertical axis relative to the control element receptacle in the pushing mode and to allow the rotational mobility of the control shaft about its vertical axis relative to the control element receptacle in the driving mode.

[0029] The control shaft can form an extension of the handlebar of the control element along the vertical axis downwards to the at least one steering roller. For this purpose, the control shaft can be rotatably received by a corresponding frame part and, in particular, can be mounted so that it can rotate. If the control shaft is allowed to rotate about its vertical axis relative to the control element holder of the frame during operation, the handlebars or control element can be operated by the user like a tricycle or bicycle or the like. If this rotational mobility is prevented, the handlebars or control element can be used like the handle of a walker or rollator. The rotational mobility can be permitted or prevented, for example, via a positive and / or non-positive connection, which can be achieved, for example, by braking elements orpositive engagements with each other can be realized, as will be described in more detail below.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the invention, the frame, preferably the control element receptacle, has a holding element which is fixedly connected to the frame, preferably to the control element receptacle, and the control element, preferably the control shaft, has a connecting element which is fixedly connected to the control element, preferably to the control shaft, at least in the circumferential direction of the vertical axis of the control element, wherein the holding element and the connecting element are designed such that in the pushing mode the connecting element can be held fixedly by the holding element and in the driving mode the connecting element can be released from the holding element.

[0031] Such a connecting element can be used to establish a detachable non-positive and / or positive connection with a mounting element, which can be a fixed component of the frame. This connection can prevent relative mobility of the connecting element and thus of the control element relative to the frame during push operation and permit it during drive operation. This allows the corresponding connection to be established and released in a simple mechanical manner, which, as described above, can lead to the distinction between push operation and drive operation.

[0032] According to a further aspect of the invention, the holding element has at least one recess and the connecting element has at least one projection on the holding element side corresponding to the recess of the holding element, or vice versa, which are designed to be brought into alignment with one another in the sliding operation, so that the connecting element is held in a form-fitting manner by the holding element, and to be offset from one another in the driving operation, so that the connecting element is released from the holding element.

[0033] This allows the previously described connection between the connecting element and the support element of the frame to be established or removed again through a positive fit. This can represent a particularly simple way to permit or prevent the corresponding relative mobility. The relative movement between the positions of the connecting element relative to the support element in push mode or in drive mode can preferably be achieved by moving the connecting element along the vertical axis of the control element.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the invention, the connecting element has a through-opening for receiving a control shaft of the control element, wherein the control shaft has at least one recess along the vertical axis of the control element and the through-opening of the connecting element has at least one projection corresponding to the recess of the control shaft, or vice versa, which are designed to enable a guided relative movement of the connecting element with respect to the control shaft along the vertical axis of the control element.

[0035] In this way, the previously described relative mobility of the connecting element relative to the control element along its vertical axis can be implemented. At the same time, relative movement of the connecting element relative to the control element in the circumferential direction relative to its vertical axis can be prevented, so that the connecting element and its recess or projection, which serves for positive engagement with the support element, can be enabled in the circumferential direction, as described above. In particular, the connecting element can be aligned by the control element in the circumferential direction of its vertical axis by steering.

[0036] According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device comprises a cable pull unit which is arranged at least substantially on the control element and is designed to be operated by the user by means of a cable pull lever and to move a connecting element of the control element between a position of the push operation and a position of the drive operation.

[0037] Such a cable pull unit can also be referred to as a Bowden cable, as is known from bicycles and the like. By using such a cable pull unit, a movement of the connecting element can be carried out in a simple manner, in particular at least substantially along the vertical axis of the control element, in order to move the connecting element between a push-mode position and a drive-mode position. This movement can take place in one direction by the user actuating the cable pull lever of the cable pull unit. In the opposite direction, the mobility of the connecting element can at least be enabled by the user releasing the cable pull lever of the cable pull unit. The user's actuation of the cable pull lever of the cable pull unit can transmit the user's force directly via a cable pull, as will be explained in more detail below.Alternatively, an operation of a switch or the like on the handlebar by the user can also cause an actuator to produce such an effect.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the invention, the cable pull unit has a cable pull which is connected at one end to the cable pull lever in a tensile force-transmitting manner and at its opposite end to the connecting element in a tensile force-transmitting manner, so that by actuating the cable pull lever the connecting element can be pulled from the push-operation position into the drive operation position, or vice versa.

[0039] In this way, as previously described, the connecting element can be pulled from at least one position to the other by means of a cable pull. In the opposite direction, this movement can at least be released and released.

[0040] According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one spring element, preferably a tension spring or a compression spring, which is designed and arranged to press the connecting element against the direction of the tensile force of the cable pull unit from the driving mode into the pushing mode, or vice versa.

[0041] By means of such a spring element, a restoring force can be exerted on the connecting element, which can act in the opposite direction to the tensile force of the cable pull unit. In this way, the connecting element can be pulled or pushed back and forth between the push-mode position and the drive mode position by the user by operating the cable pull unit, thus switching between the two positions. This allows for a mechanically simple implementation of switching between the two positions or operating modes of the movement device: push-mode and drive mode.

[0042] According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one transmission element which is connected to the control element, preferably to its control shaft, so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis of the control element, and to at least one steering roller in a force-transmitting manner, wherein the transmission element is designed to be released by the control element, preferably by the control shaft, in the pushing mode and to be held by the control element, preferably by the control shaft, in the driving mode.

[0043] The rotational mobility of the transmission element relative to the control element around its vertical axis ensures the desired maneuverability of the castor when the movement device is in push mode, since the rotational mobility of the transmission element and thus the castor cannot be impeded by the fixed control element. However, if the transmission element is fixedly connected to the control element during driving mode, the control element can exert a steering effect on the castor via the transmission element, so that in this operating mode the castor can be operated like the wheel of a bicycle, tricycle, or the like. In this way, the steering ability of the movement device required during driving mode due to the speed is achieved.

[0044] According to a further aspect of the invention, the transmission element has at least one recess and the connecting element has at least one projection on the transmission element side corresponding to the recess of the transmission element, or vice versa, which are designed to be offset from one another in the sliding operation so that the transmission element is released from the connecting element, and to be brought into alignment with one another in the driving operation so that the transmission element is held in a form-fitting manner by the connecting element.

[0045] In this way, a positive connection can be achieved between the transmission element and the connecting element during driving operation, allowing the steering action of the control element to be transferred from the connecting element to the transmission element. Accordingly, when the connecting element is in the push-along position, this positive connection can be released, allowing the transmission element and thus the steering roller to rotate freely and unaffected by the control element during push-along operation. The engagement and release of the positive connection can preferably occur along the vertical axis of the control element.

[0046] According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one pair of steering rollers which are connected together or each by at least one force transmission means, preferably by a belt, particularly preferably by a toothed belt, to the transmission element in a force-transmitting manner.

[0047] By using a pair of swivel casters, which are preferably arranged laterally offset from one another in the transverse direction of the movement devices, the stability of the movement device can be increased both in push mode, comparable to a known walker or rollator, and in drive mode. Connecting the two swivel casters together or individually to the transmission element via a power transmission means can enable the required steering ability of the movement devices in drive mode. In push mode, this connection can be harmless to the mobility or maneuverability of the movement device, since it simply allows the two swivel casters to be synchronized with one another via the power transmission means and the transmission element of the control element. This can even improve mobility or maneuverability in push mode.

[0048] According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one seat element, preferably at least one seat shell and / or at least one saddle, which is designed and arranged so that the user can sit on the seat element and operate the control element.

[0049] This can allow the user to use the mobility device while seated, especially while driving. In particular, this can allow the user to use the mobility device as a balance bike. This allows the user to cover medium to long distances more comfortably and conveniently.

[0050] According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one drive unit, preferably at least one electric drive unit, which is designed to drive at least one of the wheels, preferably at least one fixed castor.

[0051] Such a drive unit, which can preferably be used in the area of ​​the rear part of the movement device to drive a rear wheel, can save the user from using the movement device as a running wheel and instead provide the drive force or drive torque required for driving operation via a motor. This can preferably be achieved via an electric drive unit including the use of a rechargeable power storage device in the form of an accumulator.

[0052] According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement device has at least one braking unit which is arranged at least substantially on the control element and is designed to be operated by the user and to brake at least one wheel.

[0053] A brake unit known from bicycles, tricycles, and the like can be used as the brake unit, which can act accordingly on at least one wheel, such as in particular a front wheel, of the movement device. For this purpose, the brake unit can be designed as a cable with a Bowden cable, as is known and customary in bicycles and the like. In this way, the user can be provided with a simple and reliable way to reduce the speed of the movement device as needed and to stop it. Furthermore, when stationary, movement of the movement device can be prevented by the user applying the brake, which can promote the stability of the movement device.

[0054] An embodiment and further advantages of the invention are explained below in conjunction with the following figures. Therein: Fig. 1 a perspective schematic representation of a movement device according to the invention for a pushing and driving operation; Fig. 2 a perspective schematic representation of the swivel castors with toothed belt; Fig. 3 a side schematic representation of a swivel castor; Fig. 4 a perspective schematic representation of a swivel castor; Fig. 5 a side schematic detail view of the lower end of the control shaft of the control element in the sliding operation position; Fig. 6 a side schematic detail view of the lower end of the control shaft of the control element in the driving position; Fig. 7 a perspective schematic representation of the lower end of the control shaft of the control element with connecting element; Fig. 8 is a side schematic view of the lower end of the control shaft of the control element itself; Fig. 9 a schematic plan view of the connecting element itself; and Fig. 10 a side schematic detail view of the Fig. 9.

[0055] The figures above are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. There is a longitudinal direction X, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X. Perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X extends a transverse direction Y, which can also be referred to as width Y. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y extends a vertical direction Z, which can also be referred to as height Z. The longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y. Geometric information relating to the vertical axes B, C is given in cylindrical coordinates.

[0056] The movement device 1 according to the invention for pushing and driving operation has a frame 10, which can also be referred to as a chassis 10. The frame 10 has, at the front in the longitudinal direction X, an axle tube 11 which runs in the transverse direction Y and which has a fork tube 12 at each of its two ends in the transverse direction Y. The two fork tubes 12 are each fixedly connected to the axle tube 11 and extend essentially in the vertical direction Z. Each fork tube 12 has, at its upper and lower ends in the vertical direction Z, a bearing 12a which can be implemented as a ball bearing 12a or as a roller bearing 12a. Each of the two fork tubes 12 accommodates a fork shaft 2 which is mounted by the bearings 12a for rotation about a respective vertical axis C.Each fork steerer tube 2 has, in the vertical direction Z, in the area below the lower bearing 12a of the corresponding fork tube 12, a toothed belt pulley 20, which is closed in the circumferential direction. Each of the toothed belt pulleys 20 has a toothing 21 radially outwardly. In the vertical direction Z downwards, each fork steerer tube 2 has a front wheel mount 22, which can also be referred to as a front wheel fork 22. Each front wheel mount 22 rotatably supports a steering roller 23, which can accordingly also be referred to as a front wheel 23.

[0057] In the transverse direction Y, in the center of the axle tube 11, the latter has a control element receptacle 13, which can also be referred to as a head tube 13. A control element 3 in the form of a handlebar 3 is received in the control element receptacle 13 and is mounted so as to be rotatable about its vertical axis B. In the vertical direction Z, the control element 3 has, in the upper region, a steering bar 30 which runs essentially in the transverse direction Y and at the ends in the longitudinal direction X, as is known from bicycles, tricycles and the like. The two ends of the steering bar 30 each have a handle 31, which can be grasped by a user with one hand in order to operate the steering bar 30 and thus the handlebar 3 or to steer and align the movement device 1.

[0058] The steering bar 30 is connected via a stem 33 to a control shaft 34 extending in the vertical direction Z. In its lower region, the control shaft 34 is rotatably connected in the vertical direction Z to the control element holder 13 of the axle tube 11 about the vertical axis B via two bearings 13a arranged offset from one another in the vertical direction Z. These bearings can also be implemented as ball bearings 13a or as roller bearings 13a. Further down in the vertical direction Z, the control shaft 34 ends with a transmission element 38 in the form of a toothed belt pulley 38. The toothed belt pulley 38 is connected to each of the two previously described fork shafts 2 via a respective power transmission means 4 in the form of a belt 4, which is designed as a toothed belt 4. For this purpose, the two toothed belts 4 are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction Z and each enclose a toothed belt pulley 20 of one of the fork shafts 2.For this purpose, the toothed belt 4 has a toothing 40 which corresponds to the toothing 21 of the respective toothed belt pulley 20.

[0059] Preferably, the circumference and number of teeth of the toothed belt pulley 38 of the steering shaft 34 correspond to the circumference and number of teeth of the toothed belt pulleys 20 of the fork shafts 2 or are a multiple thereof, such as 2:1 or 3:1, etc. This can prevent the rotation of the steering rollers 23 about their respective vertical axes C during push operation from leading to a twisting of the handlebar 3. The ratio of 2:1 of the circumference and number of teeth of the toothed belt pulley 38 of the steering shaft 34 to the circumference and number of teeth of the toothed belt pulleys 20 of the fork shafts 2 can enable this particularly effectively and at the same time simply.

[0060] The right-hand handle 31 of the handlebar 3, as viewed by the user, in the direction of movement A, or in the forward direction A of the movement device 1, has a cable pull unit 32, which can also be referred to as a Bowden cable unit 32. A cable pull holder 32a of the cable pull unit 32, which can also be referred to as a Bowden cable holder 32a, is fixedly mounted on the handle 31. Facing the user, or the handle 31, the cable pull unit 32 has a cable pull lever 32b, which can also be referred to as a Bowden cable lever 32b. The cable pull lever 32b is connected to a cable pull 32c, or rather, to a Bowden cable 32c, which extends through the cable pull holder 32a, out the opposite side of the cable pull unit 32, and down to the lower end of the control shaft 34 in the vertical direction Z.This end of the cable pull 32c is connected there to a connecting element 37 via a cable pull receptacle 37c, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0061] If a brake is used, the corresponding brake unit (not shown) could also be arranged on the right handlebar 31 of the handlebar 3; the cable unit 32 could then be arranged on the left handlebar 31 of the handlebar 3. Two brakes could also be actuated via a Bowden cable switch via the Bowden cable unit 32 in order to brake both front wheels 23 together. If necessary, at least one of the front wheels 23, and preferably both front wheels 23, can also be locked together.

[0062] The frame 10 continues rearward in the longitudinal direction X on the right-hand side as viewed from the rider or operator in the form of a connecting tube 14; this would alternatively also be possible on the left-hand side as viewed from the rider or operator. Adjoining the connecting tube 14 is a seat tube 15 of the frame 10, which is aligned in the transverse direction Y and extends parallel to the axle tube 11. However, the seat tube 15 is only approximately half the length of the axle tube 11 and thus ends in the transverse direction Y approximately in the middle of the movement device 1. There, the seat tube 15 merges upwards in the vertical direction Z into a seat post receptacle 15a, which receives a seat post 16 of a seat element 17 in the form of a saddle 17.The seat post 17 can be adjusted and secured at different heights relative to the seat post mount 15a in the vertical direction Z, allowing the user to continuously adjust the seat height of the seat 17, as is known from bicycles, tricycles, and the like. In the downward vertical direction Z, the seat post mount 15a transitions into a rear wheel mount 18, which can also be referred to as a rear wheel fork 18. A fixed castor 19 in the form of a rear wheel 19 is accommodated by the rear wheel mount 18; alternatively, two rear wheels could also be used.

[0063] The single-sided frame construction according to the invention, which allows the user completely barrier-free side entry into the mobility device 1 in the transverse direction Y, can eliminate the need for the step-through feature otherwise common with bicycles, tricycles, and the like. This can facilitate the use of the mobility device 1 according to the invention for people with severely impaired mobility or physical abilities, or even make it possible in the first place.

[0064] According to the invention, a mechanism is formed in the vertical direction Z in the lower region of the handlebar 3, which mechanism enables the user, via the previously described cable pull unit 32, to switch the movement device 1 between a push or walk mode at walking speed and a drive mode at higher speeds. For this purpose, a holding element 35 of the head tube 13 is arranged in the vertical direction Z at the lower end of the control element holder 13, which can also be referred to as a fixing plate 35 of the head tube 13. The fixing plate 35 is fixedly connected to the head tube 13 and thus fixedly connected to the axle tube 11 or to the frame 10. In the vertical direction Z on its underside, the fixing plate 35 has two recesses 35a, which are arranged radially equidistant from the vertical axis B and are diametrically opposite one another with respect to the vertical axis B.

[0065] The aforementioned connecting element 37, which is connected to the cable 32c, can also be referred to as a clutch disc 37. The clutch disc 37 has a through-opening 37a, the dimensions of which essentially correspond to the outer geometry of the control shaft 34, so that the control shaft 34 can be guided through the through-opening 37a, see, for example, Fig. 7. In this area, the control shaft 34 has two recesses 34a or grooves 34a which extend upwards sufficiently far in the vertical direction Z or along its vertical axis B from the lower end of the control shaft to allow a guided movement of the clutch disc 37 relative to the control shaft 34, as will be described below. The two grooves 34a are located diametrically opposite one another with respect to the vertical axis B. Corresponding to the two grooves 34a of the control shaft, the through-opening 37a of the connecting element 37 has two projections 37b which extend radially inward into the through-opening 37a.The two projections 37b of the through-opening 37a of the connecting element 37 are received by the two grooves 34a of the control shaft 34, so that the connecting element 37 as a coupling sheath 37 cannot rotate relative to the control shaft 34 in the circumferential direction about the vertical axis B of the handlebar 3, but can be moved along the vertical axis B relative to the control shaft 34, see for example . Fig. 5 to 7.

[0066] The clutch disc 37 has two support element-side projections 37d on its upper side in the vertical direction Z, see for example Fig. 6, Fig. 7 and Fig. 9. The two projections 37d on the support element side are also arranged diametrically opposite each other at the same radial distance with respect to the vertical axis B of the handlebar 3. In the vertical direction Z on the opposite downward-facing side of the clutch disc 37, the latter has two projections 37e on the transmission element side, which are also arranged diametrically opposite each other with respect to the vertical axis B at the same radial distance, see for example Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 10. On the side of the toothed belt pulley 38, two corresponding recesses 38a are provided, which can accommodate the transmission element-side projections 37c of the clutch disc 37, see for example Fig. 6. In the vertical direction Z along the vertical axis B, a spring element 36 in the form of a compression spring 36 is arranged between the underside of the support element 35 of the control tube 13 and the upper side of the clutch disc 37, see for example Fig. 6. The toothed belt pulley 38 is further arranged to be rotatably mounted about the vertical axis B of the handlebar by at least one ball bearing 38b.

[0067] The cable 32c is arranged and designed in such a way that the cable lever 32b is in the released state when the clutch disc 37 is pressed downwards by the compression spring 36 along the vertical axis B in the vertical direction Z. In this state, the two projections 37e of the clutch disc 37 on the transmission element side engage in the corresponding recesses 38a of the toothed belt pulley 38 when the link 3 or the clutch disc 37 is aligned accordingly in the circumferential direction to the vertical axis B, see for example Fig. 6. In this state, the projections 37d of the clutch disc 37 on the support element side are spaced along the vertical axis B from the corresponding recesses 35a of the fixing plate 35, so that there is no contact between the clutch disc 37 and the fixing plate 35. However, a positive fit is present between the clutch disc 37 and the toothed belt pulley 38 in this state, so that the otherwise free rotational mobility of the toothed belt pulley 38 relative to the control shaft 34 about its vertical axis 3 is prevented.

[0068] Since the clutch disc 37 has no rotational mobility about the vertical axis B due to the engagement of its projections 37b of its through-hole 37a into the grooves 34a of the steering shaft and is simultaneously connected to the toothed belt pulley 38 in this state, the toothed belt pulley 38 cannot move about the vertical axis B relative to the handlebar 3 in this state. Rather, the toothed belt pulley 38 is aligned by the handlebar 3. This steering movement is transmitted via the toothed belts 4 simultaneously to the two fork shafts 2 and thus to the two steering rollers 23. In this state, the steering rollers 23 as the front wheels 23 of the movement device 1 can thus be steered by the handlebar 3, which can be carried out by the user as with a bicycle or tricycle. This state of steering of the movement device 1 can thus be used by the user to use the movement device 1 in driving mode.In this driving mode, the movement device 1 can be used like a wheel from the feet of the user sitting on the saddle 17. Alternatively, an electric drive (not shown) can provide the desired speed in the direction of movement A.

[0069] If the cable lever 32b of the cable pull unit 32 is now operated by the user with the hand on the handle 31, the cable 32c pulls the clutch disc 37 in the vertical direction Z or along the vertical axis B upwards towards the fixing plate 35. This occurs as a guided movement, since the clutch disc 37 is guided by the projections 37b of its through-opening 37a in the grooves 34a of the control shaft 34 along the vertical axis B. In this case, the force of the compression spring 36 is overcome by the user via the cable 32c, so that the cable lever 32b must be held by the user in order to maintain this position of the clutch disc 37.The coupling disc 37 now engages with its projections 37d on the support element side into the corresponding recesses 35a of the fixing disc 35, which may require a certain one-time steering movement of the handlebar 3 in order to align the projections 37d on the support element side of the coupling disc 37 with the corresponding recesses 35a of the fixing plate 35 in the circumferential direction to the vertical axis B. The positive connection then established between the coupling disc 37 and the fixing plate 35 leads to a blocking of the steering possibility of the handlebar 3, since the fixing plate 35 is fixedly connected to the head tube 13 or the axle tube 11. As a result, the handlebar 3 can be used like the handlebar area of ​​a walker or rollator, since the handlebar 3 is fixedly connected to the frame 10 in this state.

[0070] At the same time, the contact between the clutch disc 37 and the toothed belt pulley 38 is released, so that the toothed belt pulley 38 can move freely around the vertical axis B by means of its ball bearing 38b. This free rotational mobility can be transmitted from the toothed belt pulley 38 via the toothed belts 4 to the toothed belt pulleys 20 of the fork shafts 2 and thus to the casters 23, so that although their alignment is synchronized with one another via the toothed belts 4, they can move freely like a walker or rollator. In this way, the movement device 1 can be used in this position for walking or pushing operation like a conventional walker or rollator. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS (part of the description) A Direction of movement; forward direction B Vertical axis of control element 3 C Vertical axes of the castors 23 X longitudinal direction; depth; length Y transverse direction; width Z vertical direction; height X, Y Horizontal; horizontal plane 1 movement device for pushing and driving operation 10 frames; frame 11 axle tube 12 fork tubes 12a Bearings (ball bearings, roller bearings) of the fork tubes 12 13 Control element holder; head tube 13a Bearings (ball bearings, roller bearings) of the head tube 13 14 Connecting pipe 15 seat tube 15a Seat post mount of the seat tube 15 16 Seatpost 17 Seat element; saddle 18 rear wheel mount; rear fork 19 fixed castor; rear wheels 2 fork tube 20 Timing belt pulley 21 Toothing of the timing belt pulley 20 22 front wheel mount; front fork 23 swivel castors; front wheels 3 Control element; handlebar 30 steering brackets 31 handles 32 cable pull unit; Bowden cable unit 32a Cable pull bracket; Bowden cable bracket 32b Cable lever; Bowden cable lever 32c cable pull; Bowden cable 33 Stem 34 Tax office 34a Recesses or grooves of the control shaft 34 35 Supporting element of the head tube 13; Fixing plate of the head tube 13 35a Recesses of the support element 35 36 spring element; compression spring 37 Connecting element; clutch disc 37a Through hole of the connecting element 37 37b projections of the through opening 37a of the connecting element 37 37c Cable pull mounts of the connecting element 37 37d projections of the connecting element 37 on the support element side 37e Transmission element-side projections of the connecting element 37 38 Transmission element; toothed belt pulley 38a Recesses of the transmission element 38 38b Ball bearing of the transmission element 38 4 Power transmission devices; belts; timing belts 40 Toothing of the timing belt 4

Claims

[1] Movement device for people (1) with a frame (10) with at least three wheels (19, 23), wherein at least one wheel (23) is designed as a steering roller (23) rotatable about its vertical axis (C), wherein the frame (10) is open on one side, characterized by a control element (3) which is designed to be operated by a user with at least one hand and to be rotated about its vertical axis (B) relative to the frame (10), wherein the movement device (1) is designed in a pushing operation, to connect the control element (3) fixedly to the frame (10) and to allow the steering roller (23) to rotate independently of the control element (3) about its vertical axis (C) and in a driving operation, the control element (3) is allowed to rotate relative to the frame (10) about its vertical axis (B) and the control element (3) is allowed to align the steering roller (23) about its vertical axis (C). [2] Movement device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the frame (10) has a control element holder (13) which is fixedly connected to the frame (10), and the control element (3) has a control shaft (34) which is connected to the control element receptacle (13) so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis (B) of the control element (3), wherein the movement device (1) is designed in the sliding operation, to prevent the rotational mobility of the control shaft (34) about its vertical axis (B) relative to the control element holder (13) and in the driving operation, to allow the rotational mobility of the control shaft (34) about its vertical axis (B) relative to the control element holder (13). [3] Movement device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the frame (10), preferably the control element holder (13), has a holding element (35) which is fixedly connected to the frame (10), preferably to the control element holder (13), and the control element (3), preferably the control shaft (34), has a connecting element (37) which is fixedly connected to the control element (3), preferably to the control shaft (34), at least in the circumferential direction of the vertical axis (B) of the control element (3), wherein the holding element (35) and the connecting element (37) are designed so that in the sliding operation, the connecting element (37) is held stationary by the holding element (35) and in the driving operation the connecting element (37) can be released from the holding element (35). [4] Movement device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the holding element (35) has at least one recess (35a) and the connecting element (37) has at least one projection (37d) on the holding element side corresponding to the recess (35a) of the holding element (35), or vice versa, which are formed, to be brought into alignment with one another in the sliding operation, so that the connecting element (37) is held in a form-fitting manner by the holding element (35), and to be offset from one another during driving operation, so that the connecting element (37) is released from the holding element (35). [5] Movement device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that the connecting element (37) has a through-opening (37a) for receiving a control shaft (34) of the control element (3), wherein the control shaft (34) has at least one recess (34a) along the vertical axis (B) of the control element (3) and the through-opening (37a) of the connecting element (37) has at least one projection (37b) corresponding to the recess (34a) of the control shaft (34), or vice versa, which are designed to enable a guided relative movement of the connecting element (37) with respect to the control shaft (34) along the vertical axis (B) of the control element (3). [6] Movement device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cable pull unit (32) which is arranged at least substantially on the control element (3) and is designed to be operated by the user by means of a cable pull lever (32b) and to move a connecting element (37) of the control element (3) between a position of the push operation and a position of the drive operation. [7] Movement device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the cable pull unit (32) has a cable pull (32c) which is connected at one end to the cable pull lever (32b) in a tensile force-transmitting manner and at its opposite end to the connecting element (37) in a tensile force-transmitting manner, so that by actuating the cable pull lever (32b) the connecting element (37) can be pulled from the push-operation position into the drive operation position, or vice versa. [8] Movement device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by at least one spring element (36), preferably a tension spring or a compression spring (36), which is designed and arranged to press the connecting element (37) against the direction of the tensile force of the cable pull unit (32) from the driving mode into the pushing mode, or vice versa. [9] Movement device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one transmission element (38) which is connected to the control element (3) so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis (B) of the control element (3) and to at least one steering roller (23) in a force-transmitting manner, wherein the transmission element (38) is formed, released in the sliding mode by the control element (3) and to be held by the control element (3) during driving operation. [10] Movement device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by that the transmission element (38) has at least one recess (38a) and the connecting element (37) has at least one projection (37e) on the transmission element side corresponding to the recess (38a) of the transmission element (38), or vice versa, which are formed, to be offset from each other in the sliding operation, so that the transmission element (38) is released from the connecting element (37), and to be brought into alignment with one another during driving operation, so that the transmission element (38) is held in a form-fitting manner by the connecting element (37). [11] Movement device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by at least one pair of steering rollers (23) which are connected to the transmission element (38) in a force-transmitting manner together or each by at least one force-transmitting means (4), preferably by a belt (4), particularly preferably by a toothed belt (4). [12] Movement device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one seat element (17), preferably at least one seat shell and / or at least one saddle (17), which is designed and arranged so that the user can sit on the seat element (17) and operate the control element (3). [13] Movement device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one drive unit, preferably at least one electric drive unit, which is designed to drive at least one of the wheels (19, 23). [14] Movement device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one braking unit which is arranged at least substantially on the control element (3) and is designed to be operated by the user and to brake at least one wheel (19, 23).

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