Path aid for pushing transport of people and / or objects

Abstract

The invention relates to a walking aid (10) for the pushing transport of persons and / or objects, which can be converted from a use position (G) to a transport position (Tr) and vice versa. The walking aid (10) has a supporting structure (12), two wheels (16), each with a wheel mount (14), at least one tread, a push bar (30), and a holding bar (80). The wheels (16) rotate about a common virtual axis (22) that runs above the supporting structure (12). By converting to a transport position (Tr), the walking aid (10) can be easily transported and converted into the use position (G) when required.

Description

The invention relates to a route aid for the pushing transport of persons and / or objects, which is to be converted from a use position to a transport position and vice versa. The travel aid has a supporting structure, two wheels each having a wheel receptacle, at least one tread surface, a sliding rod and a holding rod. The wheels rotate about a common virtual axis extending above the support structure. By converting into a transport position, the route aid can be easily transported and, if necessary, converted into the use position.When families with children are on the way, it often happens that the children become tired and no longer want to walk themselves. It also happens that they simply have no lurches to participate in a receiving like shopping. For these and similar cases there are various possibilities for taking the children with them, i.e. transporting them, or supporting their mobility.For example, Bolter cars, bicycle trailers and the like are used for transport. The self-mobility of the children is supported with kickboards, skateboards, scotchers, running wheels, children's wheels and the like, in the broadest sense, thus travel devices.These solutions have various disadvantages. Thus, most children's transport solutions are not compact, light weight and flexible. They cannot therefore be carried along easily as a backup solution and also do not fit into small cars or hand luggage trays on rice. Support solutions for the self-mobility of children, on the other hand, are not hand-guided and controllable by a supervisor. Therefore, especially in public road traffic there is always a risk of accidents, in particular in unknown areas. If the child loses the lurch at his driving device, in extreme cases not only the child has to be worn, but also the driving device.Support may also be necessary for the transport of objects, especially for older people or when heavy loads, such as larger purchases, have to be moved. Again, only bulky and inflexible solutions have been known.Nevertheless, some solutions can be found in the prior art which address at least the question of compactness or that of simplified transport.Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 2023 / 0 048 348 A1 shows a disassemblable sliding roller with three wheels, which can be slid by a second person.US 2006 / 0 290 081 A1 discloses a roller with four wheels for the movement of a child, which can be pulled by a person and packed compactly when not in use.A slidable four-wheeled vehicle for transporting persons, which can be folded at least partially, is shown in US 2005 / 0 057 012 A1.In order to overcome stairs, CN 215 154 738 U shows a transport cart with stair climbing wheels.Therefore, the object of the invention is to propose a solution which is suitable as a transportation facility for a child, but which is as compact and flexible as possible, so that it can be carried along as an emergency solution. The solution should ideally also enable the transport of objects.The object of the invention is achieved with a directional aid according to claim 1.A route aid according to the invention for the pushing transport of persons and / or objects is to be converted from a use position into a transport position and vice versa, and with• a support structure comprising two wheel seats and two wheels rotating about a common virtual axis extending above the support structure,• at least one tread arranged on or on the supporting structure,• a retaining rod having at least one handle, and• a sliding rod with at least one handle,wherein• the retaining rod and / or the sliding rod are configured to be telescopic,• the sliding rod can be folded in the longitudinal direction of the travel aid,• at least the at least one handle of the sliding rod is foldable,• For the position of use, the sliding rod is folded rearward in the longitudinal direction of the travel aid, the sliding rod and / or the holding rod are at least partially extended and foldable handles are folded into a position of use, and• For the transport position, the sliding rod is folded forward in the longitudinal direction of the travel aid, the sliding rod and / or the retaining rod are retracted, and foldable handles are folded into a non-use position.With this guidance, persons, preferably children, and / or objects should therefore be able to be transported. The movement is effected by pushing the movement aid by a (further) person. Both the person being transported and the pushing person are referred to below as users.The route aid can be brought into two positions: the use position, in which the transport of persons and / or objects can take place, and the transport position, which permits simple entrainment.The directional aid initially has a supporting structure which is dimensioned and shaped to receive and / or hold the remaining structural elements. In the simplest case, it can be a U-shaped construction made of a sufficiently stable or rigid material, on the upwardly guiding wings of which the wheel receptacles are arranged. For easier entry into the guidance and for a more dynamic driving behavior, the wings of the U-shaped supporting structure can be inclined outwards.The width of the supporting structure transversely to the direction of travel should be selected such that a person to be transported can easily place both feet next to one another on it, or on the at least one tread which is arranged on or on the supporting structure. The length of the support structure should be oriented to the length of the feet and may be selected to be somewhat longer than these to allow for a comfortable standing. Any other constructions for the supporting structure are conceivable as long as the following conditions can be realized.The two wheel receptacles are now arranged on the supporting structure, each of which receives a wheel. In this case, the wheel receptacles and wheels are arranged and aligned such that a virtual axle common to both wheels is formed. This axle is referred to as a virtual axle because it is not an actual, continuous axle that connects the two wheels. The virtual axle is defined only by the respective rotational axis of the two wheels in the wheel receptacles, which axis corresponds. The virtual axis lies above the supporting structure, i.e. above it, with respect to the position of use of the travel aid.At least one tread surface is arranged on or on the supporting structure, on which a person is to stand or can stand, or on which objects can be placed. In this case, a continuous tread surface can be provided, which surrounds the retaining rod and sliding rod explained below, so that these are guided through in corresponding recesses, or two individual tread surfaces can be provided, which are each arranged for a foot on both sides of the retaining and sliding rod. The tread should be non-slip so that a person to be transported has sufficient support.In order for a person to be transported to have sufficient support and safety when moving the travel aid, the latter has a holding rod which is formed with at least one handle. The person to be transported is intended to be held firmly on the holding rod and in particular on its at least one handle.In order to push the travel aid, a push rod is provided, which likewise has at least one handle.The support rod and the slide rod are mounted on the support structure. With respect to the position of use of the aid, the retaining rod has an upright orientation, while the sliding rod is inclined rearward, so that the pushing person can well reach it and move the aid without colliding with it during running. The sliding rod and the holding rod are preferably arranged on the same longitudinal axis centrally of the travel aid, wherein the longitudinal axis corresponds to the direction of travel of the travel aid. The holding rod is in particular arranged close to the front edge of the supporting structure, the sliding rod being oriented behind and towards the rear edge. The person to be transported can thus stand behind the retaining rod and above the inclined sliding rod.In order to achieve the desired flexibility, the holding rod and / or the sliding rod are telescopic. A smaller packing size for the transport position is achieved if both rods are telescopic. A telescopic holding rod or sliding rod is to be understood to mean that they can be pushed together and pulled apart, as is known, for example, from the handles of rolling luggage cases. In the simplest case, telescoping can take place between a completely pushed-together and a completely exploded end position. However, intermediate positions can also be provided which make it possible to adapt the holding rod to the size of the person to be transported or of the sliding rod to the sliding person. The respective rod is then only partially extended. For this purpose, arresting means are provided which fix these telescoping positions. An exemplary locking solution is explained with reference to optional configurations of the directional aid.The sliding rod is also configured to be foldable in the longitudinal direction of the travel aid. It is to be folded forward from the position already explained, inclined to the rear, in the use position, in order to reduce the size of the directional aid in the transport position. For this purpose, the sliding rod can be mounted rotatably about an axis transversely to the longitudinal direction of the travel aid. In order to hold the aforementioned positions, suitable arresting means are also provided here, an exemplary solution of which is explained in the following.At least the at least one handle of the sliding rod should likewise be foldable in order to take up as little space as possible in the transport position. Depending on the specific configuration of the at least one handle, the direction can vary during the folding. If, for example, two handles are provided on the sliding rod, which in the use position point in each case to the right and left of the sliding rod, it can be expedient to fold these downwards. If a larger continuous handle is provided for two hands, it may be expedient to fold it forward in order to reduce the volume in the transport position.Optionally, the handle of the holding rod can be foldable.The use position for transporting persons and / or objects is now present when the sliding rod is folded back, the holding rod and the sliding rod, if telescopic, is extended to the desired length and all handles which are foldable are unfolded in order to be used as intended (use position of the handles).For conversion into the transport position, foldable handles are folded into the non-use position, the sliding rod is folded forward, and the holding rod and the sliding rod, if telescopic, are retracted. In order to carry out these movements, it is of course necessary to release the respective arresting means of the foldable handles, of the sliding rod and, if appropriate, of the retaining rod.The guidance in the transport position can now be carried in a simple manner until it is required for transporting a child or objects. It can then be brought back into the use position in the reverse sequence.As already indicated, the packaging size to be achieved, i.e. the size of the travel aid in the transport position, is smaller when the sliding rod and the holding rod are to be trimmed.The guidance system according to the invention is suitable for transporting children and / or objects when they are standing or placed on the at least one tread surface, or are fixed to the guidance system in some other way with regard to objects. By the configuration with a virtual axis, which also runs over the supporting structure and tread surface, a low center of gravity of the directional aid is generated, which helps to level out the directional aid and to avoid tilting. Due to the small width of the guidance, the single-axle construction and the use of sufficiently small wheels, a minimum turning circle for the guidance can be achieved. When using the route aid, the person being transported is always under a plan view. Speed and direction can be determined by the pushing person. At standstill, the person transported can easily descend and actively participate in the common activity, such as a departure or a purchase. By converting into a compact transport position, the routing aid can be carried along easily and used as a backup solution if required. Thus, if necessary, a child, the purchases, beverage boxes, sports equipment, camping accessories, and the like can be transported.Optionally, the retaining rod may be designed to be removable. This provides a larger parking area for objects.A first preferred embodiment of the routing aid according to the invention provides that the routing aid has a packing size of at most 450 mm by 360 mm by 200 mm in the transport position. This corresponds to the measure of permissible hand luggage in an aircraft. In this case, the width of the routing aid in the transport position should preferably be at most 360 mm, the height at most 450 mm and the depth at most 200 mm. The width is to be understood here transversely to the above-explained longitudinal direction and the depth in the longitudinal direction.Such a packing size can be achieved by dimensioning and arranging the supporting structure and the wheels such that at most the predetermined width is achieved. The same applies to the depth. With regard to height, the specification can be fulfilled if both the holding rod and the sliding rod are telescopic and can thus be retracted. Folding handles to a non-use position may also be helpful.The packaging size of the routing aid now achieved into the transport position makes it possible to transport it in a backpack or a pocket, optionally also to carry it along in an aircraft or to place it in a train or bus in the hand-held luggage store.A second embodiment of the directional aid consists in the fact that the at least one handle of the sliding rod and / or the at least one handle of the holding rod is of annular design. In this context, an annular configuration in the sense of the invention is intended to mean a circumferential, closed shape which is not bound to a round basic shape. Thus, the closed shape can also substantially follow a rectangular shape. The closed shape provides a handle which enables different holding or handle positions and at the same time prevents the travel aid from getting caught on an obstacle with an open, protruding handle. The different grip positions serve for the comfort of the users, i.e. of the pushing person and of the person being transported, and can thus also contribute to a more dynamic driving feel for the person being transported.If such an annular handle is provided on the push rod, it should be foldable forwardly to keep the space occupied in the transport position small.In a next embodiment, the sliding rod and / or the holding rod has a locking mechanism for holding a retracted or extended telescoping position, the sliding rod has a locking mechanism for the use position of the at least one handle and / or the sliding rod has a locking mechanism for holding a folding position of the sliding rod, wherein the latter is to be released in each case by means of a cable pull. To release the cable pull, a suitable operating element is to be selected, for example an operating button. A suitable locking device can be, for example, a gear wheel with a latching tooth, which latches between the teeth of the gear wheel and the position of which can be released by means of the cable pull.The release of some, preferably all, of the above-mentioned arresting devices should thus take place in each case by means of a cable pull. Cable pulls are simple technical solutions, they are light and, in addition, take up little space. The cable pulls can be guided in the interior of the retaining rod or the sliding rod. If a telescopic sliding rod and / or holding rod is pushed together, this is also done with the respective cables. Alternatively, a winding roller can also be provided in each case, which pulls in a cable after releasing the locking and when pushing together a telescopic rod onto a roller, equal to a jojoba. However, this brings about an increase in the weight of the directional aid.For the sliding rod, the cable pull can be guided through the sliding rod into the handle for releasing the locking of the handle, the telescoping position and / or the folding position and can be released there with a respective operating element.In order to prevent the locking of the retaining rod in the extended position from being accidentally released by the person being transported, it is recommended that the operating element for releasing the cable pull is not arranged on or in the at least one handle.It has already been stated at the outset that the supporting structure can be a U-shaped construction, for example. However, it can also be formed with a belt system. In this case, a belt or a plurality of belts are provided between the wheel receptacles, on which a cover is placed. If no further reinforcing construction is provided than the panel, the holding rod and the sliding rod can then be fixed to it. The cover also acts as dirt and intervention protection so that a user does not accidentally grip between the belts. The use of the straps may entail a saving in weight and additionally provide additional suspension. If the belt or belts expand over time, the panel can also form a stability compensation. Optionally, the aperture can also be the at least one tread surface.The travel aid advantageously has protective plates. These protect the transported person from contact with the wheels and from splashing dirt or moisture. The mudguards can be arranged on or on the wheel receptacles, arranged on the supporting structure, that is to say fastened, or formed from the latter. The latter is to be understood as meaning that the supporting structure is designed and shaped in such a way that it also implements the protective plates.In particular, the protective plates should be inclined outwards. They should therefore be inclined outwards with increasing distance from the roadway, i.e. be inclined away from the person standing on the guidance means or the transported object. This facilitates entry or loading. In addition, this results in more freedom of movement for dynamic posture during cornering for a person being transported.The wheels of the directional aid can be designed with a tire with a foam insert.Wheels with pneumatic tireing can make use of the steering aid impossible and represent a frust potential in the event of air loss up to the "flat" tire. Solid rubber tires are difficult to destroy, but are difficult. The use of tyres with an insert of foamed plastic thus enclosing air in many small chambers is easy and cannot lose air or become flat. Nevertheless, a suspension is achieved by such wheels. A suitable plastic can be, for example, EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer). Since the foamed material forms a liner in the tire, it is protected from wear.In a further embodiment, the aim(s)• the supporting structure, which has at least one tread surface, the sliding rod, the holding rod and / or, if present, the mudguards have rounded edges, and / or• the underside and the front edge of the supporting structure are arranged at a distance from the virtual axis of the wheels which is less than the radius of a rim of the wheels.All elements of the travel aid that have edges can be formed with rounded edges. This prevents injury or blue spots if a user should hit them. In particular on the supporting structure, the at least one tread and the mudguards, so they are provided, rounded edges have the further advantage that the travel aid can slide more easily over them when in contact with obstacles, such as a curbstone edge. The radius for the rounding of the edges can be chosen to be the same for all rounded edges for design reasons.Alternatively or additionally, the underside and the front edge of the support structure can be arranged at a distance from the virtual axis which is smaller than the radius of the rims of the wheels. The front edge is the edge of the supporting structure which points forward in the direction of travel. Both the front edge and the underside of the supporting structure should therefore be set back enough with respect to the radius of the wheels that they do not project beyond the radius of the rims of the wheels into a region of the tire. This makes it possible to ensure that the tires and not the supporting structure always strike an obstacle such as a curb. This applies especially also when a tire is flat. Damage to the supporting structure is thus avoided even in the case of a flat tyre.Both alternatives together ensure a safe and comfortable use of the directional aid even in difficult terrain.Another embodiment of the travel aid consists in that a brake is arranged on each wheel, which brake is to be actuated by an operating element on the at least one handle of the sliding rod by means of a cable pull. This serves for the controlled and safe use of the routing aid.The use of cable pulls for actuating brakes is already known from bicycles and children's cars. In this case, the brake is tightened by traction on a brake handle or a similar operating element in order to develop its braking action.In this embodiment, it is provided that each brake is actuated by a separate cable pull. The brake operating element(s) should be arranged on the at least one handle on the push rod so that they can be quickly and easily reached when sudden braking is necessary. The cable pulls can be guided from there through the sliding rod to the supporting structure and further to the brakes. The brakes on the travel aid can be designed, for example, as drum brakes.Optionally, both cable pulls can be guided to a common operating element, so that both wheels are braked simultaneously.In order to keep the directional aid as easy as possible, the support structure, the holding rod, the sliding rod and / or, if present, the protection plates should be formed with a light metal, in particular aluminum, or a high-strength plastic. In addition to the weight and the necessary stability of these materials, their return to the material circuit and their re-use, i.e. recycling, are well possible.Although the use of fiber-reinforced plastics is technically possible in order to keep the weight low and the stability high, the risk of cut injuries during breaking thereof is very high. In addition, recycling of the fiber-reinforced plastics is difficult.According to a further embodiment of the travel aid, the latter can have a foldable stand which is arranged on the sliding rod with a holder which has a front stop and a rear stop, wherein the stand is folded towards the front stop in order to reach an installation position and is folded towards the rear stop when not in use and is thereby aligned parallel to an axis of the sliding rod.Due to the inclination of the sliding rod towards the rear in its position of use, it is particularly suitable for attaching a stand with which the aid of the movement can be set down without a person having to hold it.For this purpose, the foldable stand is arranged with a holder on the sliding rod. This mounting makes the connection of the stand and the sliding rod. In addition, the bracket provides the pivot for folding the stand and the front and rear stops. The holder can enclose the sliding rod, for example, as an annular component. The stand is to be positioned laterally on the sliding rod. The mounting height of the stand and its length are to be selected at will in order to ensure the necessary stability of the travel aid with the stand opened.When not in use, the stand should be placed along the push rod so that it does not protrude and interfere. It is thus oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sliding rod. For this purpose, it is folded with its upper end to the rear (in relation to the direction of travel) and thus the lower end in the direction of the supporting structure of the travel aid. In this case, the foldable stand strikes against the rear stop. By means of a suitable weight distribution, it now remains in this position, but can optionally also be provided with a locking mechanism.In order to store the aid for driving in the installation position by means of the stand, the foldable stand is folded into the opposite position, so that its upper end points forward in the direction of travel and the lower end points away from the aid for driving in the driving direction. In this case, the foldable stand strikes against the front stop. The position can be held again by a suitable weight distribution and this is also additionally achieved by placing the aid of the route on the stand. Optionally, a locking means could be provided.The directional aid can now be lowered in the direction of the stand or its lower end until it has ground contact and supports the directional aid.By using the foldable stand without arresting devices, but merely by weight distribution and holding in the respective position due to gravity, operation can be carried out without hands and with one foot alone, which makes use comfortable and safe. Due to the proposed configuration of the stand, the travel aid can also be set down in the transport position with the stand.An alternative possibility for stopping the directional aid is to dimension the entire directional aid and distribute the weight such that it only oscillates into a stable position, so that no stand is necessary.In principle, the design of the directional aid with regard to the dimensioning of the individual elements, for example selected angles, radii and diameters and the color design, should correspond to a uniform design language. Nevertheless, it may be desirable to personalize the routing aid or to supplement it with additional functions.For this purpose, it can be provided that add-on parts are to be added to the holding rod, the sliding rod and / or the handles and / or holders for add-on parts are arranged. Handles can be the at least one handle on the sliding rod here, but also the at least one handle on the holding rod.Add-on parts can be a lighting, a bell, hooks or comparable holders for pockets, anti-theft protection, reflectors and the like. In order to use standardized add-on parts, for example those of bicycles or children's cars, the movement aid can be designed such that these add-on parts can be used with their fastening means unchanged. This means, for example, that when a bicycle lighting device is provided to be fastened to an annular handle of the sliding rod, the latter must have a diameter at least in regions which can be encompassed by the holder of the lighting device. It must then be oriented to the dimensions of comparable components or mounting locations on a bicycle.In order to attach add-on parts to the retaining rod, the sliding rod and / or the handles, recesses can also be provided at suitable positions, into which the add-on parts can be inserted. Thus, a recess can be provided on the sliding rod, into which a seat can be inserted, which is held in position by the wedging in the recess and / or by the force of gravity.If this is not wanted for design reasons, or in order to make the use flexible, holders can alternatively or additionally be arranged on the sliding rod and / or the handles, which hold the add-on parts. They then act in the sense of an adapter.Furthermore, the holding rod, the sliding rod, the at least one tread surface and / or, if present, the mudguards can have interchangeable design elements. Design elements are to be understood to mean, for example, colored sheathings for the sliding rod or the retaining rod, colored covers for the at least one tread surface or surface elements for fastening to the side of the mudguards facing the user. Reflective or phosphorescent sheets may also be applied in this way, which increase visibility in traffic. They can be held in their position, for example, by magnetic holders, click systems, screw connections, locks that can be operated without tools, and / or releasable adhesive connections. A user can thus design the guidance according to his taste. If the route aid is used commercially, the associated operator can be displayed in this way.The directional aid can be further developed in such a way that a wheel has at least one opening, which corresponds in size and distance to the virtual axis to a position and size of at least one fastening means of the wheel receptacle, so that when the opening of the wheel is rotated in front of the at least one fastening means of the wheel receptacle, the wheel receptacle can be released through the opening.The wheel holder or its components must be connected to one another and to the supporting structure of the directional aid by means of fastening means. If these fastening means were freely accessible, they could be released by children in a mother or play. In order to prevent this, according to this further development it is provided that the fastening means of the wheel receptacle or on the wheel receptacle are each covered by the wheel held there. Such a wheel has in each case at least one opening which is arranged at the same distance from the virtual axis as the at least one fastening means or its receptacle. The positions should therefore correspond in the sense of a distance from the virtual axis of the wheels.The at least one opening of the wheel should be so large that the at least one fastening means, in particular a screw, can be loosened and removed through it. This is possible by rotating the wheel until its opening comes to rest in alignment with the fastening means to be loosened. The suitable tool is now guided through the at least one opening to the fastening means in order to loosen or tighten it. Accordingly, a certain outlay is required for this purpose, so that accidental manipulation of the fastening means is rather ruled out.It is of course also possible to install fastening means through this opening. The at least one opening can therefore also be referred to as a mounting opening.The use of two-wheel routing can be challenging because the routing can tend to tilt upon an inexperienced user. Moreover, it may be difficult to overcome steps or even stairs. Therefore, a further embodiment of the guidance system consists in the fact that the at least two wheels are each designed as stair climbing wheels with in each case at least three wheels.Stair climbing wheels are constructed such that a plurality of small wheels, i.e. wheels, are arranged rotatably about a common axis. The wheels themselves are also rotatably mounted. The arrangement of the wheels in a stair climbing wheel takes place in a star shape on at least three beams.If the terrain is continuous, contact to the ground is made with two adjacent wheels and the guidance can be driven in this way. If the guidance system now hits a step with one wheel each of the stair climbing wheels, the entire arrangement rotates so that the next wheel reaches the next step.In addition to the simpler overcoming of steps and stairs, this configuration has the advantage that the tilting tendency of the directional aid is reduced and the balance on the directional aid can thus be kept better. As a result, the guidance can also be used as a walking aid.This embodiment of the inventive displacement aid can be further developed by the wheels being designed as omnidirectional wheels. Wheels of this type are formed with a central wheel hub and rollers arranged on the circumference thereof, wherein the axes of the rollers can be arranged along the circumference of the wheel hub or at an angle thereto. The former is referred to as axial alignment and the latter as diagonal alignment.If a travel aid with omnidirectional wheels is pushed or pulled in stair climbing wheels, it behaves as usual or as with normal wheels. During cornering, however, the transverse movement of the rollers also permits lateral movement of the entire wheels, so that dynamic cornering is made possible.The travel aid can be designed such that it is distributed or used only with wheels or only with stair climbing wheels. In other cases, it may be desirable that a change between wheels and stair climbing wheels be possible, for example in order to be en route for transport tasks with stair climbing wheels and for outward flights with children with wheels. If the wheel receptacle is used unchanged in this case to receive and hold both the stair climbing wheels and the normal wheels, the "normal" wheels must have a higher (total) radius than the stair climbing wheels in order to ensure the above-described protrusion of the rim compared to the at least one tread surface. This results in an elevation of the virtual axis and thus of the center of gravity of the route aid.In order to counteract this, the wheel receptacles should be designed and / or arranged so as to be adjustable, so that the position of the virtual axle is to be adapted when changing wheels and stair climbing wheels. The wheel receptacles should therefore optionally themselves permit an adjustment of the wheels or stair climbing wheels and thus of the virtual axle or else be arranged on the supporting structure of the travel aid in such a way that they can be adjusted there. The adjustment can be realized, for example, by a vertical displacement (with respect to the position of use of the travel aid) or by a changeover between two or more predefined plug-in locations. If the use of stair climbing wheels is then desired, the virtual axle is adjusted downwards, and in the case of "normal" wheels it is adjusted upwards. This always ensures the lowest possible position of the center of gravity and thus the stability of the travel aid without the radii of the wheels and stair climbing wheels differing significantly.A further embodiment of the invention is realized if the travel aid has a coupling device which is to be brought into engagement at one end with the at least one handle of the sliding rod and is to be coupled at another end to a user-defined device.The term coupling device is to be understood in the sense of a trailer coupling with which it is possible to suspend the travel aid, for example, to a bicycle. Accordingly, user-defined devices are understood to be all means of transport and / or objects to which the route aid can be attached in order to then pull them without using the hands. These include, for example, bicycles or other non-license plate transport means, but also a backpack, belt or belt system of a person who wishes to move the aid in this way without using his hands. The use of the route aid in this variant should be limited to the transport of objects for safety reasons.For this purpose, the coupling device is intended to be connected to the at least one handle of the travel aid as simply as possible and without a tool. This connection should be designed such that it cannot become detached and uncontrolled movement of the coupling device in relation to the travel aid is prevented. This can be achieved by an engagement of the coupling device with the at least one handle of the travel aid, which prevents, for example, a lateral displacement of the coupling device with respect to the at least one handle. Such an engagement can be realized, for example, by a recess or receptacle in the width of the engaging part of the coupling device in the region of the at least one handle, on which the coupling device engages and is then fixed. Thus, an undesired displacement can be prevented. The engagement can also be improved by a corresponding shape between the engagement point of the coupling device and the at least one handle of the sliding rod, the use of catches, spring mechanisms and the like.The coupling device can be formed, for example, with one or more belts. A strap, also called a strap, wraps around the at least one handle of the sliding rod and can be connected at its other end to the user-defined device. The at least one strap can also be configured as a loop. The loop can be closed, for example, by means of a hook-and-loop connection or another releasable closure and can be opened on both sides, i.e. to the at least one handle of the sliding rod and the user-defined device, in order to produce the engagement or connection of the coupling device.With two straps, which are preferably designed as two loops engaging one another, a better adaptation to the alignment of the points of application on the user-defined device and a better mobility of the connection is achieved. Thus, one loop can be brought with the at least one handle of the sliding rod and the other loop looped with it can be brought with the linkage of a bicycle saddle or frame.The use of straps is particularly suited for coupling the coupling device to a user-defined device on the user's body, such as a belt. This can be facilitated by the use of a carabiner for hooking the belt or belts to the belt.The coupling device can, however, also be formed with a rigid base structure and at least one joint. The rigid base structure can be formed by rods or rods which are coupled to one another in the region of the at least one joint. The use of a rigid base structure prevents the travel aid from moving uncontrolled with respect to the pulling person or the pulling transport means and also prevents a driving onto the pulling person or the pulling transport means, for example during a downhill trip or when the pulling person or the pulling transport means remains stationary. It thus ensures the constant distance between the pulling person or the pulling transport means and the guidance. The at least one joint in turn ensures that cornering and thus agility is not restricted.The coupling device should be designed so that it can be removed and stored when not in use. Optionally, it can be fixed to the routing aid itself when not in use.The connection of the coupling device to the at least one handle of the sliding rod is particularly suitable because this is the connection location located furthest outward in the direction of travel of the directional aid, so that a collision with the remaining parts of the directional aid is largely ruled out.With the aid of the route according to the invention, a device for transporting persons and / or objects is disclosed, which device can be used very flexibly. It can easily be carried along in its transport position and, if necessary, can be quickly brought into the use position and used. The packing size can be minimized in such a way that it can be carried in a backpack and carried as a hand luggage in public transportation means. If children are transported with the aid of the movement, they can be supervised and their movement can be controlled. When the route aid is stopped, they can descend at any time and actively participate in the event.The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be combined with one another with advantage unless stated otherwise in the individual case.The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the associated drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows in three FIGS. 1 ato 1 cthat an exemplary embodiment of the directional aid according to the invention in the use position, FIG. 2 shows in three FIGS. 2 ato 2 the travel aid from FIG. 1 in the transport position, FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment for the handle of the retaining rod from FIG. 1 with operating elements, FIG. 4 shows an exemplary solution for a stand on the travel aid from FIG. 1 in FIGS. 4 aand 4 b, FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment for a mounting opening in a wheel of the directional aid in FIGS. 5 aand 5 b, FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the travel aid with stair climbing wheels, FIG. 7 shows exemplary embodiments of the wheels in FIGS. 7 aand 7 b, FIG. 8 shows the directional aid coupled to a bicycle, FIG. 9 shows a detail of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 shows an alternative application of the coupling device.FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the inventive directional aid 10 in the use position G. FIG. 1 ashows in the three FIGS. 1 ato 1 cin perspective from obliquely front, FIG. 1 bshows from obliquely rear and FIG. 1 cshows from obliquely front with users 54, 56.The directional aid 10 shown is formed with a supporting structure 12 which holds wheel receptacles 14 on both sides, on each of which a wheel 16 with tire 18 and rim 20 is arranged. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 1 a, no actual axle is formed between the wheels 16, but a common virtual axle 22 of the wheels 16 can be determined, which runs clearly above the supporting structure 12. The wheels 16 can have a diameter of 200 mm, for example. The wheels 16 shown are formed with a tire 18 formed with a foam insert (not shown). In this way, they cannot lose air.On the supporting structure 12 there are arranged two tread surfaces 60 which are arranged on both sides of the holding rod 80 and the sliding rod 30. The sliding rod 30 and the holding rod 80 are configured to be telescopic. An annular handle 82 is provided on the support rod 80. Furthermore, the travel aid 10 has protective plates 36 which are inclined outwards. A person to be transported can thus rise more easily.The push rod 30 has a handle 34 which is forwardly foldable as will be seen with reference to Fig. 2. The slide rod 30 is also to be pivoted forward. In the position of use G, the handle 34 of the sliding rod 30 is situated, for example, at a height of approximately 1 m, which corresponds, for example, to the height of the handle of a shopping cart. On the sliding rod 30, a stand 42 with a holder 44 is also provided, which will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 4. Since it is not used, it is folded and thus oriented parallel to an axis 32 of the sliding rod 30.FIG. 1 cshows the use of the aid 10. the aid 10 is pushed by a person 54 and now moves along its longitudinal direction 52. Also shown is the use of an attachment 50 in the form of illumination.The travel aid 10 has rounded edges on the supporting structure 12, the two tread surfaces 60, the holding rod 80, the sliding rod 30 and the mudguards 36, so that a risk of injury can be minimized and travel over obstacles is facilitated. It can also be seen in FIG. 1 a that the front edge and the underside of the supporting structure 12 are not spaced further from the virtual axis 22 than the radius of the rim 20, and therefore the tire 18 or, if appropriate, the rim 20 always meets a curb and never the supporting structure 12, even if a tire 18 is damaged.FIG. 2 shows in FIGS. 2 ato 2 the routing aid 10 in the transport position Tr. In FIG. 2 a, the directional aid 10 is illustrated obliquely from the rear.In order to set the transport position Tr, the handle 34 of the push rod 30 has been folded forward, then the push rod 30 has been folded forward and retracted. The holding rod 80 was retracted or inserted. In this transport position Tr, the routing aid 10 now has a width B of 360 mm, a height H of 450 mm and a depth T of 200 mm, the latter corresponding to the diameter of the wheels 16.The directional aid 10 can be used in this position, for example, as a pendulum seat, wherein the handle 34 of the sliding rod 30 serves as a seat surface. If the travel aid 10 is placed on this handle 34, it can likewise be used as a seating without a pendulum movement being produced. The support structure 12 now forms the seat surface.Due to the small packing size, the routing aid 10 can be transported in a backpack 58 until it is used (FIG. 2 c ). In order to make it as light as possible, the essential parts, i.e. the supporting structure 12, the holding rod 80, the sliding rod 30 and the protective plates 36, are made of aluminum.In FIG. 3, the handle 34 of the sliding rod 30 is shown. It is annular, i.e. in a circumferential, closed shape. In its front region, an operating element 40 can be seen which can release a cable pull which can release the locking of the folding position of the sliding rod 30 in order then to fold it forward. The cable runs inside the sliding rod 30 and is therefore not shown. The locking for the facsimile of the slide rod 30 and the holding rod 80 are released in a comparable manner, but not shown.An operating element 38 is also shown, which runs centrally transversely to the longitudinal direction 52 of the travel aid 10 within the handle 34. This operating element 38 serves to actuate the brakes of the wheels 16 by means of a cable pull, in that the operating element is pulled towards the pushing person 54. Since both cable pulls are connected to this operating element 38, both brakes are actuated simultaneously. The cable pulls (not shown) extend through the interior of the handle 34 to the slide bar 30 and through the latter to the brakes.FIG. 4 illustrates in FIGS. 4 aand 4 b an embodiment for a stand 42 of the directional aid 10. In order to shut off the travel aid, the stand 42 is folded forward with the upper end, as shown in the two FIGS. 4 aand 4 b. The lower end moves rearward. By folding, the stand 42 reaches a front stop 46 in the holder 44, which is marked in FIG. 4 b. The routing aid 10 may then be tilted rearwardly until the lower end of the stand 42 contacts the ground and holds the routing aid 10. If the stand 42 is no longer required, a user can fold the stand 42 with the foot into the opposite position, so that it now folds against the rear stop 48 (FIG. 4 b ) and is aligned along an axis 32 of the sliding rod 30. In the positions, the stand 42 is held in position by the weight distribution in connection with the force of gravity.FIG. 5 shows in its FIGS. 5 aand 5 b an exemplary implementation of a wheel 16 with an opening 24, which is referred to below as mounting opening 24. It is formed in the region of the rim 20 of the wheel 16 and has a distance a from the virtual axis 22 of the wheels 16 of the travel aid 10.In FIG. 5 b, the wheel receptacle 14 can be seen, which has eight openings 26 for fastening means, which are all arranged at the same distance a from the virtual hole 22, as is the opening 24 of the wheel 16. Accordingly, the position of the mounting opening 24 during a rotation of the wheel 16 corresponds in each case to one of the openings 26 on the wheel receptacle 14. It is thus possible to introduce and fasten the fastening means into the openings 26 through the opening 24 of the wheel 16 or to release and remove them.FIG. 6 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of the directional aid 10 in the use position G with stair climbing wheels 16 b. These are arranged and held on the wheel receptacles 14 instead of normal wheels 16. Moreover, the directional aid 10 corresponds to that described above.Each of the stair climbing wheels 16b is formed with three wheels 90 which are arranged at an equal distance from the axis of the stair climbing wheel 16b. During the movement of the aid 10 on a continuously variable surface, two of the wheels 90 form the contact with the ground, so that the aid 10 cannot tilt.In order to facilitate cornering, the wheels 90 are designed as omnidirectional wheels 90. Examples of this are seen in FIGS. 7 aand 7 b. FIG. 7 ashows an omni-directional wheel 90 with axially arranged rollers 92 and FIG. 7 bshows an omni-directional wheel with diagonally arranged rollers 92.In order to adapt the position of the virtual axle 22 to the stair climbing wheels 16 b, the wheel receiving means 14 are arranged displaceably on the supporting structure 12 of the travel aid 10. When changing to stair climbing wheels 16 b, the wheel receptacles 14 are displaced downward, as indicated by the arrow. The center of gravity of the directional aid 10 is thus adapted to the changed wheel situation.In FIG. 8, a travel aid 10 is coupled to a bicycle 120 by means of a coupling device 100. The bicycle 120 is to be understood as a user-defined device 104.The directional aid 10 is used as a bicycle trailer. The clutch device 100 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 9. For this purpose, it can be seen that the coupling device 100 is formed with two rods 110 which are coupled to a joint 112. They form a rigid base structure which prevents the travel aid 10 from moving onto the bicycle 120.The coupling device 100 engages in the handle 34 of the push rod 30 of the travel aid 10. For this purpose, a recess 102 is provided in the handle 34, in which the coupling device 100 engages at this end, so that it is non-displaceable. At the other end of the coupling device, the engagement 106 is realized on the supporting structure of the bicycle saddle (as part of the user-defined device 104) and is fixed to the saddle. The fixing can be realized by hooking or a clip system so that it can be released easily and without tools.An alternative to the coupling device 100 is shown in FIG. 10, where the coupling device 100 is formed with two loop-shaped belts 108, each of which has a closure 108 a. The loops can thus be opened and the belts 108 can be guided, for example, through the recess 102 of the handle 34, in order to achieve an non-displaceable engagement there. At the other end, the coupling device 100 has a carabiner 109 with which it can be fixed to a belt 104 of a pulling person 114.List of reference characters10 Travel aid 12 Supporting structure 14 Wheel receptacle 16 Wheel 16 b Treppen climbing wheels 18 Tyre 20 Rim 22 Virtual axle 24 Opening 26 Openings for fastening means 30 Sliding rod 32 Axle Sliding rod 34 Handle 36 Mudguard 38 Operating element for brake 40 Operating element for locking 42 Stand 44 Holder for stand 46 Front stop 48 Rear stop 50 Add-on part Lighting 52 Longitudinal direction of the travel aid 54 Sliding person 55 Transported object 56 Transported person 58 Backpack 60 Tread 80 Holding rod 82 Handle Holding rod 90 Wheels 92 Rollers 100 Coupling device 102 Engagement with the at least one handle of the sliding rod 104 User-defined device 106 Engagement with the user-defined device 108 Belt(s) 109 Carabiner 110 Stang(s) 112 Joint 114 Pulling person B Width H Height T Depth G Use position Tr Transport position a Distance from the virtual axis

Claims

A route aid (10) for the sliding transport of persons (56) and / or objects (55), wherein the route aid (10) is to be converted from a use position (G) into a transport position (Tr) and vice versa, comprising • a support structure (12) comprising two wheel receptacles (14) and two wheels (16) rotating about a common virtual axis (22) extending above the support structure (12), • at least one tread (60) arranged on or on the support structure (12), • a holding rod (80) having at least one handle (82), and • a sliding rod (30) having at least one handle (34), wherein • the holding rod (80) and / or the sliding rod (30) are configured to be telescopic, • the sliding rod (30) is foldable in the longitudinal direction (52) of the route aid (10), • At least the at least one handle (34) of the sliding rod (30) is foldable, • for the position of use (G) the sliding rod (30) is folded rearward in the longitudinal direction (52) of the travel aid (10), the sliding rod (30) and / or the holding rod (80) are at least partially extended and foldable handles (34) are folded into a position of use, and • for the transport position (Tr) the sliding rod (30) is folded forward in the longitudinal direction (52) of the travel aid (10), the sliding rod (30) and / or the holding rod (80) are retracted and foldable handles (34) are folded into a position of non-use.The routing aid (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the routing aid (10) has a packing size of at most 450 mm by 360 mm by 200 mm in the transport position (Tr).The directional aid (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one handle (34) of the sliding rod (30) and / or the at least one handle (82) of the holding rod (80) is of annular design.The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that • the sliding rod (30) and / or the holding rod (80) has a locking device for holding a retracted or extended telescoping position, • the sliding rod has a locking device for the use position of the at least one handle (34, 82), and / or • the sliding rod (30) has a locking device for holding a folding position of the sliding rod (30), which is to be released in each case by means of a cable pull.The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structure (12) is formed with a belt system.A directional aid (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has protective plates (36) which are inclined in particular outwards.The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheels (16) are formed with a tire (18) with a foam insert.The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that • the support structure (12), the at least one tread surface (60), the sliding rod, the holding rod (80) and / or, if present, the mudguards (36) have rounded edges, and / or • the underside and the front edge of the support structure (12) are arranged at a distance from the virtual axis (22) of the wheels (16) which is less than the radius of a rim (20) of the wheels (16).The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a brake is arranged on each wheel (16), which brake is to be actuated by an operating element (38) on the at least one handle (34) of the sliding rod (30) by means of a cable pull in each case.The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structure (12), the holding rod (80), the sliding rod (30) and / or, if present, the protective plates (36) are formed with a light metal, in particular aluminum, or a high-strength plastic.The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a foldable stand (42), which is arranged on the sliding rod (30) with a holder (44), which has a front stop (46) and a rear stop (48), wherein the stand (42) is folded towards the front stop (46) in order to reach an installation position and is folded towards the rear stop (48) when not in use and is thereby aligned parallel to an axis (32) of the sliding rod (30).The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that add-on parts (50) are to be added to the holding rod (80), the sliding rod (30) and / or the handles (34, 82) and / or holders for add-on parts (50) are arranged.The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding rod (80), the sliding rod (30), the at least one tread surface (60) and / or, if present, the mudguards have interchangeable design elements.The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a wheel (16) has at least one opening (24), which corresponds in size and distance to the virtual axis (22) to a position and size of at least one fastening means of the wheel receptacle (14), so that, when the opening (24) of the wheel (16) rotates in front of the at least one fastening means of the wheel receptacle (14), the latter can be released through the opening (24).The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two wheels (16) are each configured as stair climbing wheels (16b) each having at least three wheels (90).The directional aid (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the wheels (90) are designed as omnidirectional wheels (90).The directional aid (10) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the wheel receptacles (14) are designed and / or arranged so as to be adjustable, so that the position of the virtual axle (22) is to be adapted when changing between wheels (16) and stair climbing wheels (16b).The directional aid (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a coupling device (100), which is to be engaged at one end with the at least one handle (34) of the sliding rod (30) and is to be coupled at another end to a user-defined device (104).The directional aid (10) according to claim 18, characterized in that the coupling device (100) is formed with at least one belt (108).The directional aid (10) according to claim 18, characterized in that the coupling device (100) is formed with a rigid base structure (110) and at least one joint (112).

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