Wheeled walker

Abstract

To provide a wheeled walker which has a frame structure with comparatively high rigidity.SOLUTION: A wheeled walker 100 includes: a pair of support frames 114 for which a handle 182 is installed on the upper end part and for which length can be adjusted; a front side structural frame 118 which is erected between the pair of support frames 114 and which has a central part 136 and a pair of lateral parts 138 that extend in a retreating direction from both ends of the central part 136; and a second front side structural frame 120 which is erected between the pair of support frames 114 in the upper part of the front side structural frame 118 and which has a second central part 140 and a pair of second lateral parts 142 that extend rearward from both ends of the second central part 140; a rear side frame 116; a connection member 122 which is respectively connected to the rearward tip of the second lateral part 142, and the upper end of a rear side frame 116 and which relatively rotates the rear side frame 116 with respect to the second front side structural frame 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a walking frame that enables elderly people who have difficulty walking on their own to walk by supporting part of their body weight. [Background technology]

[0002] A wide variety of walking frames have been developed, the main purpose of which is to enable elderly people who have difficulty walking on their own to walk by supporting part of their body weight (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The walking frame disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used by a user holding handles, and part of the user's body weight is received by the walking frame via the handles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-180613 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In addition to the type of walking frame that is used by the user gripping the handlebars as shown in Patent Document 1, there are also types of walking frames that are equipped with armrests on which the user places both elbows and that can be used while bearing a greater load.

[0006] For this reason, there has been a demand for the development of a walking frame with a more rigid frame structure.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a walking frame having a frame structure with relatively high rigidity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a pair of support frames, the length of which can be adjusted, the support frames having handles attached to their upper ends and front wheels attached to their lower ends; a front installation frame that is installed between the pair of support frames and has a central portion disposed on the side in the forward direction and a pair of side portions extending in the rearward direction from both ends of the central portion; a second front-side installation frame that is installed between the pair of support frames above the front-side installation frame and has a second central portion disposed on the side in the forward direction and a pair of second side portions extending in the backward direction from both ends of the second central portion; a rear frame having rear wheels attached to its lower end; and A connecting member is provided to connect a rear end of the second side portion and an upper end of the rear frame, and to rotate the rear frame relatively to the second front installation frame. A walking frame will be provided.

[0009] Preferably, The pair of side portions each have an inclined portion extending in a rearward direction and upward, The tip ends of the pair of inclined portions are respectively connected to the pair of second side portions of the second front installation frame.

[0010] Preferably, The link member further includes a first member and a second member that is rotatable relative to the first member, The first member is rotatably connected to the side portion of the front installation frame, The second member is rotatably connected to the rear frame. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a roughly U-shaped front installation frame having a central portion and a pair of side portions extending backward from both ends of the central portion is installed between a pair of support frames to which handles are attached and which support part of the user's weight.This makes it possible to apply the supported load directly to the front wheels, providing a walker with relatively high rigidity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a walking frame 100 to which the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a walking frame 100 to which the present invention is applied. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a walking frame 100 to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a rear view showing an example of a walking frame 100 to which the present invention is applied. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a right side view showing an example of a walking frame 100 to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a walking frame 100 to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a bottom view showing an example of a walking frame 100 to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a walking frame 100 to which the present invention is applied, showing a state in which a handle bar 182, an arm rest 184, and a seat frame 160 are raised up. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the seat frame 160 and the seat stopper 162 when the seat frame 160 is in a flipped-up state. FIG. [Figure 10] 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the seat frame 160 and a seat stopper 162 when the seat frame 160 is lowered. FIG. [Figure 11] 16 is a right side view showing a state in which the handlebar 182 and the armrest 184 are slightly rotated in the traveling direction. [Figure 12]13 is a right side view showing the state in which the handlebar 182 and the armrest 184 have been rotated to the "inverted position." [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing the armrest lock mechanism 186 when the locking portion 220 of the lock member 210 and the locking groove 224 of the brake mechanism 190 are in a locked state. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram showing the armrest lock mechanism 186 when the locking portion 220 of the lock member 210 and the locking groove 224 of the brake mechanism 190 are in a disengaged state. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a diagram showing a lock state indication mechanism 214 disposed on the handlebar 182. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a side view showing the lock state display mechanism 214 when the locking portion 220 of the lock member 210 and the locking groove 224 of the brake mechanism 190 are in an engaged state. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a plan view showing the lock state display mechanism 214 when the locking portion 220 of the lock member 210 and the locking groove 224 of the brake mechanism 190 are in an engaged state. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a side view showing the lock state display mechanism 214 when the locking portion 220 of the lock member 210 and the locking groove 224 of the brake mechanism 190 are in an unlocked state. FIG. [Figure 19] 13 is a plan view showing the lock state display mechanism 214 when the locking portion 220 of the lock member 210 and the locking groove 224 of the brake mechanism 190 are in the unlocked state. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the walking frame 100 in a folded state. [Figure 21] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which arm rest 184 abuts against brake bar 188 when handle bar 182 and arm rest 184 are rotated in the traveling direction. [Figure 22] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which, when the handlebar 182 and the armrest 184 are rotated in the travel direction, the armrest 184 presses the brake bar 188 and the brake mechanism 190 performs a "second braking operation." [Figure 23]13 is a front view of an example of a speed-reducing wheel 300 according to a fifth modified example. FIG. [Figure 24] 13 is a perspective view of an example of a speed-reducing wheel 300 according to a fifth modified example. FIG. [Diagram 25] 13 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a speed-reducing wheel 300 according to a fifth modified example. FIG. [Figure 26] 13 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a speed-reducing wheel 300 according to a fifth modified example. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a front view of an example of a speed-reducing wheel 300 according to a fifth modified example with a wheel cap 308 removed. [Figure 28] 13 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a speed suppression unit 310 according to a fifth modified example. FIG. [Figure 29] 13 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a speed suppression unit 310 according to a fifth modified example. FIG. [Diagram 30] 13 is a front view of an example of a speed suppression mechanism 380 with the suppression speed level in a "high" state. [Diagram 31] 13 is a front view of an example of a speed suppression mechanism 380 with the suppression speed in a "medium" state. FIG. [Diagram 32] 13 is a front view of an example of a speed suppression mechanism 380 with the suppression speed level in a "low" state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] (Configuration of the walking frame 100) An embodiment of a walking frame 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] The walking frame 100 is generally composed of a folding frame portion 102, a seat portion 104, and a handle / armrest portion 106.

[0015] The folding frame portion 102 includes a pair of front wheels 110, a pair of rear wheels 112, a support frame 114, a rear frame 116, a front mounting frame 118, a second front mounting frame 120, a connecting member 122, a pair of link members 124, a horizontal frame 126, a rear mounting frame 128, a second mounting frame 129, and a folding operation member 131.

[0016] The front wheels 110 are wheels attached to the end of the walking frame 100 in the direction of travel (the direction in which the user walks using the walking frame 100; the same applies below), and are capable of rotating 360° around a vertically extending wheel center axis. There are no particular limitations on the type of wheel used for the front wheels 110. In this embodiment, a pair of left and right front wheels 110 are used.

[0017] The rear wheels 112 are wheels attached to the end of the walking frame 100 facing backward (the direction opposite to the direction in which the user walks using the walking frame 100; the same applies below) and are designed not to rotate around a vertically extending wheel central axis. There are no particular limitations on the type of wheels used for the rear wheels 112. In this embodiment, a pair of left and right rear wheels 112 are used.

[0018] The support frames 114 are generally straight rod-like members, and the walking frame 100 according to this embodiment uses a pair of left and right support frames 114. The front wheels 110 are rotatably attached to the lower end of each support frame 114. Of course, the front wheels 110 may be attached in any manner as long as they are directly or indirectly attached to the lower end side of each support frame 114.

[0019] The support frame 114 is composed of an outer cylinder 130 and an inner cylinder 132. As described above, the front wheel 110 is attached to the lower end of the outer cylinder 130. The inner cylinder 132 has the handlebar / armrest portion 106 attached to its upper end and is housed slidably within the outer cylinder 130, and the length by which the inner cylinder 132 projects from the outer cylinder 130 can be changed using a height adjustment bolt 134 attached to approximately the upper end of the outer cylinder 130. This makes it possible to adjust the height of the handlebar / armrest portion 106.

[0020] The rear frames 116 are generally straight rod-like members, and the walking vehicle 100 according to this embodiment uses a pair of left and right rear frames 116. A rear wheel 112 is rotatably attached to the lower end of each rear frame 116. The upper end of each rear frame 116 is connected to a connecting member 122, respectively.

[0021] The front installation frame 118 is a member that is approximately U-shaped when viewed from the top and approximately L-shaped when viewed from the side, and is integrally formed with a central portion 136 that extends approximately horizontally and is arranged on the side in the direction of travel, and a pair of side portions 138 that extend in the backward direction from both ends of the central portion 136.

[0022] Describing each side portion 138 in detail, the portion of the side portion 138 connected to the central portion 136 is a horizontal portion extending substantially horizontally in the backward direction, followed by an inclined portion extending backward and upward. The tip of this inclined portion is connected to the lower surface of each second side portion 142 of the second front installation frame 120. In addition, the lower end portion of each support frame 114 is connected and fixed to the outer surface of the horizontal portion of the side portion 138.

[0023] The second front installation frame 120 is a member that is arranged above the front installation frame 118 and is formed in an approximately U-shape when viewed in a plane, and is integrally formed with a second central portion 140 that extends approximately horizontally and is arranged on the side in the forward direction, and a pair of second lateral portions 142 that extend in the backward direction from both ends of the second central portion 140.

[0024] The rearward-facing end of each second side portion 142 of the second front-side installation frame 120 is connected to the connecting member 122. In addition, the approximate center of each support frame 114 is connected and fixed to the outer surface of the forward-facing end of each second side portion 142.

[0025] In addition, the rear frame 116 is rotatable relative to the second front installation frame 120 .

[0026] The connecting member 122 has a first mounting portion 144 and a second mounting portion 146, and is a member that allows the second mounting portion 146 to rotate relatively to the first mounting portion 144. In this embodiment, an upper end of the rear frame 116 is connected to the first mounting portion 144, and a rearward end of the second lateral portion 142 of the second front installation frame 120 is connected to the second mounting portion 146. This allows the rear frame 116 to rotate relatively to the second front installation frame 120.

[0027] As explained so far, a front installation frame 118 and a second front installation frame 120 are installed between a pair of support frames 114 and a pair of rear frames 116, and the rear end of the lateral portion 138 of the front installation frame 118 in the rearward direction is connected to the second front installation frame 120, and the rear frame 116 and the second front installation frame 120 are connected by a connecting member 122, thereby forming the main skeleton of the folding frame portion 102 of the walker 100 that supports the user's weight.

[0028] The link member 124 is composed of a belt-shaped first member 148 and a similarly belt-shaped second member 150, and the second member 150 is rotatable relative to the first member 148. In this embodiment, each first member 148 of the pair of link members 124 is rotatably connected to a side portion 138 of the front installation frame 118, and each second member 150 is rotatably connected to a center portion of the rear frame 116.

[0029] The horizontal frame 126 is a rod-shaped member, one end of which is connected to the inside of the first member 148 of one link member 124, and the other end of which is connected to the inside of the first member 148 of the other link member 124.

[0030] The rear installation frame 128 is a member having an appearance of a round pipe material bent into a substantially U-shape, and in this embodiment, two rear installation frames 128, one large and one small, are used.

[0031] Both ends of one (larger) rear installation frame 128 are connected to the rear frame 116 at a position slightly below the approximate center. Both ends of the other (smaller) rear installation frame 128 are connected to the rear frame 116 at a position slightly above the approximate center.

[0032] By bridging the rear installation frame 128 between the pair of rear frames 116 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the distance between the pair of rear frames 116 from undesirably widening or narrowing.

[0033] The second mounting frame 129 is a rod-shaped member, one end of which is connected to the inner surface of the tip of one of the second side portions 142 of the second front mounting frame 120, and the other end of which is connected to the inner surface of the tip of the other second side portion 142.

[0034] The folding operation member 131 is a substantially belt-shaped member, and has a frame sliding long hole 133 into which the horizontal frame 126 and the second installation frame 129 are fitted.

[0035] The seating portion 104 is a portion on which a user sits when taking a rest, and generally includes a seat frame 160, a pair of seat stoppers 162, and a seat member (not shown).

[0036] The seat frame 160 is a component having the appearance of a round pipe bent into approximately a U-shape, and both ends are rotatably attached at a position near the second central portion 140 (near the direction of travel) of the second side portion 142 of the second front mounting frame 120.

[0037] When the seat frame 160 is rotated downward relative to the second front installation frame 120, the rearward end of the seat frame 160 comes into contact with the top of the second installation frame 129 and stops.

[0038] The seat stopper 162 is a member for rotating the seat frame 160 upward with respect to the second front installation frame 120 and holding it in a state spaced apart from the second installation frame 129. As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the seat stopper 162 has a square bar-shaped main body 166 and a sliding long hole 170 formed in the main body 166 and in which a guide pin 168 protruding inward from approximately the center of the second lateral part 142 of the second front installation frame 120 slides.

[0039] One end of the seat stopper 162 is attached to the seat frame 160 so as to be freely rotatable, and a guide pin 168 is fitted into a sliding elongated hole 170 of the seat stopper 162 .

[0040] A pair of protrusions 172 protruding inwardly toward each other are formed on the other end side (the end side farther from the seat frame 160) of the sliding slot 170 in the seat stopper 162 so as to narrow the width of the sliding slot 170. Due to the presence of these protrusions 172, the width of the other end side of the sliding slot 170 is narrower than the width of one end side. As a result, when the seat frame 160 is lifted, the guide pin 168 sliding in the sliding slot 170 is caught by the protrusions 172, so that the seat frame 160 can be maintained in a lifted state.

[0041] The seat member (not shown) is a relatively soft member attached to the upper surface side of the seat frame 160, and the user rotates the seat frame 160 downward together with the seat member, and then sits on the seat member.

[0042] Returning to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, the handlebar / armrest portion 106 mainly includes a brake unit 180, a handlebar (handle) 182, an armrest 184, and an armrest lock mechanism 186.

[0043] The brake unit 180, when operated by a user, serves to apply a braking force to the wheels (the rear wheels 112 in this embodiment) of the walker 100. The brake unit 180 in this embodiment mainly includes a brake bar 188, a brake mechanism 190, and a braking member 192.

[0044] The brake bar 188 is a component that appears to have been formed by bending a round bar material so that it is roughly U-shaped when viewed from the top and mountain-shaped when viewed from the front, and both ends of the brake bar 188 are connected to brake mechanisms 190 attached to the upper end of the support frame 114.

[0045] Additionally, the brake bar 188 is disposed along the lower side of the handle bar 182 .

[0046] The brake mechanism 190 is a mechanism that applies a braking force to the rear wheel 112 via the braking member 192 by the user operating the brake bar 188. The brake mechanism 190 of this embodiment is configured to realize a "first braking action" in which a braking force is applied when a user, with his / her elbows on the armrest 184 and gripping the handle bar 182, grips the brake bar 188 together with the handle bar 182 and moves the brake bar 188 in a direction toward the handle bar 182, and returns the brake bar 188 to a neutral state (a state in which no braking force is applied) when the user releases the force from the brake bar 188, and a "second braking action" in which a braking force is applied even when the user rotates the brake bar 188 downward, and the brake bar 188 maintains the state rotated downward even when the user releases his / her hand from the brake bar 188. When the "second braking action" is released, the user rotates the brake bar 188 upward, and the brake bar 188 returns to the neutral state.

[0047] The braking member 192 is a member rotatably attached to the lower end of the rear frame 116 near the rear wheel 112, and is connected to the brake mechanism 190 by a brake wire or the like (not shown). When the brake mechanism 190 applies a braking force, the brake mechanism 190 pulls the brake wire or the like to rotate the braking member 192, and a part of the braking member 192 comes into contact with the rear wheel 112, thereby applying a braking force to the rear wheel 112.

[0048] The handle bar 182 is a member used for purposes such as controlling the direction of travel of the entire walker 100 by being gripped by a user with his / her elbows resting on the arm rests 184. The handle bar 182 according to this embodiment is a member having an appearance formed by bending a pipe material or the like having a larger diameter than the brake bar 188 so as to have a substantially "U" shape in a plan view and a mountain shape in a front view, and is composed of a mountain-shaped central portion 194 and a pair of side portions 196 protruding substantially horizontally from both ends of the central portion 194.

[0049] Further, a rotating bracket 198 is provided so as to protrude downward from approximately the center of each side portion 196 of the handle bar 182 .

[0050] The brake mechanism 190 described above is provided with a bracket fitting groove 200 into which a rotating bracket 198 protruding from the handlebar 182 is fitted, and the rotating bracket 198 is rotatably attached to the brake mechanism 190 in a state where it is fitted into the bracket fitting groove 200. As a result, the handlebar 182 is rotated from a "normal position" in which the center portion 194 is along the upper side near the brake bar 188 and the side portions 196 are approximately horizontal, as shown in FIG. 5, to an "inverted position" in which the handlebar 182 is tilted in the traveling direction and the side portions 196 are approximately vertical, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Note that a handlebar support surface 202 that supports the side portions 196 of the handlebar 182 from below in the "normal position" is formed on the top surface of the brake mechanism 190 according to this embodiment.

[0051] A cover 204 made of a soft material is attached to the center portion 194 of the handlebar 182 to make it easy for the user to grip.

[0052] The armrest 184 is a member having a generally rectangular shape in plan view that spans between one side portion 196 and the other side portion 196 of the handlebar 182. The armrest 184 is adapted to support the elbows of a user using the walker 100, and the walker 100 supports part of the user's weight via the armrest 184.

[0053] As described above, armrest 184 supports part of the user's weight and is a member that the user touches directly, so it is required that armrest 184 has high rigidity overall and a soft surface. If these requirements can be met, armrest 184 may be made of one type of material, or may be made of multiple materials (for example, a metal core covered with a urethane covering).

[0054] The armrest lock mechanism 186 is a mechanism for locking the armrest 184 and the handlebar 182 so that they do not rotate undesirably from the "normal position" to the "inverted position". Of course, the lock can be released by the user's operation as necessary.

[0055] The armrest lock mechanism 186 according to this embodiment includes a pair of locking members 210, an unlocking bar 212, an unlocking bar cover (not shown), and a lock state display mechanism 214, as shown in FIG.

[0056] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the locking member 210 is a member for locking the handlebar 182 (and armrest 184) so ​​that it does not rotate undesirably from the "normal position" to the "inverted position", and in this embodiment has a rotation center 218, a handlebar fixing portion 219, an engaging portion 220, and an unlocking bar mounting portion 222.

[0057] The pivot center 218 is a portion formed on one end of the lock member 210 and is rotatably supported on the side portion 196 of the handlebar 182 by a pivot shaft such as a bolt or pin.

[0058] The handlebar fixing part 219 is a part that has the role of fixing the handlebar 182 so that it does not rotate even when a force is applied in a direction that rotates the handlebar 182 to the "inverted position" when the handlebar 182 is in the "normal position" and the lock member 210 is locked. The handlebar fixing part 219 according to this embodiment is supported together with the rotation center 218 by a rotation shaft such as a bolt or a pin, and covers part of the upper surface of the handlebar 182.

[0059] The locking portion 220 is a portion formed in approximately the center of the locking member 210, which locks the locking member 210 to the brake mechanism 190. In this embodiment, a locking groove 224 is formed in advance on the surface of the brake mechanism 190, and the locking portion 220 is adapted to engage with the locking groove 224 when the handlebar 182 is in the "normal position".

[0060] The unlocking bar attachment portion 222 is a portion formed on the other end of the locking member 210 to which the end of the unlocking bar 212 is attached.

[0061] Returning to Fig. 8, the unlock bar 212 is a straight rod-shaped member that is hung between the unlock bar attachment parts 222 of the pair of locking members 210. Since the unlock bar attachment parts 222 of the pair of locking members 210 are located slightly lower than the armrests 184 that are hung between the side parts 196 of the handlebars 182, the unlock bar 212 is disposed so as to extend in the left-right direction along the underside of the armrests 184. As a result, the unlock bar 212 is hidden by the armrests 184 and cannot be seen in the field of view of the user who is located higher than the armrests 184, giving the walker 100 a neat and aesthetic appearance.

[0062] The unlock bar cover (not shown) is a substantially rectangular cloth member attached to the underside of the armrest 184, and serves to cover the unlock bar 212 extending along the underside of the armrest 184 so as to make the unlock bar 212 less visible. The presence of the unlock bar cover 213 makes it possible to make the unlock bar 212 less visible even when the handle bar 182 is rotated to the "inverted position", for example, and thus prevents the aesthetic appeal of the walker 100 from being marred.

[0063] As shown in Figures 15 to 17, the lock status display mechanism 214 has the role of preventing the user from undesirably rotating the handle bar 182 even though the status of the unlock bar 212 is difficult to see because it is hidden by the arm rest 184, by displaying whether or not the handle bar 182 is locked in the "normal position".

[0064] The lock state display mechanism 214 generally includes a retaining member 226, a lock cover 228, and a lock state display member 230. The lock state display mechanism 214 is attached to a handlebar fixing portion 219 of at least one of the lock members 210.

[0065] The retaining member 226 is a member for holding the lock cover 228 at a prescribed interval above the upper surface of the handlebar 182, and in this embodiment, a pair of approximately triangular plate-shaped retaining members 226 are attached at a prescribed interval to the upper surface of the handlebar fixing part 219 of the lock member 210 on the right side when facing the direction of travel. Of course, the shape and number of the retaining members 226 are not limited to those in this embodiment, and only one approximately rectangular plate-shaped retaining member 226 may be used.

[0066] The lock cover 228 is a generally rectangular member, and one end of the lock cover 228 is supported between the pair of holding members 226 so as to be rotatable relative to the holding members 226. The lock cover 228 also has a folded portion 232 formed so as to be bent in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a notched window 234 is formed on the other end side of the folded portion 232.

[0067] By rotatably supporting one end of the lock cover 228 between a pair of retaining members 226, the folded portion 232 of the lock cover 228 is positioned on the upper surface of the handlebar 182 with the cutout window 234 covering the upper surface of the handlebar 182.

[0068] As a result, when the engaging portion 220 of the locking member 210 is engaged with the engaging groove 224 of the brake mechanism 190 and the unlocking bar 212 is in its fully downward position (hereinafter referred to as "normal"), the notched window 234 of the lock cover 228 is located close to the handlebar fixing portion 219 and the retaining member 226.

[0069] Then, when the unlocking bar 212 is pulled up and the engagement between the engaging portion 220 of the locking member 210 and the engaging groove 224 of the brake mechanism 190 is released and the unlocking bar 212 is slightly above its fully lowered position (hereinafter referred to as "abnormal"), as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the handlebar fixing portion 219 and the holding member 226 tilt in the traveling direction, and the lock cover 228 also tilts in the traveling direction, causing the other end side of the lock cover 228 from the folded portion 232 to slide in the traveling direction on the upper surface of the handlebar 182. As a result, the position of the upper surface of the handlebar 182 corresponding to the cutout window 234 of the lock cover 228 also changes (moves further toward the traveling direction).

[0070] The lock state indicating member 230 is a member that is located on the upper surface of the handlebar 182 at a position slightly away in the traveling direction from the holding member 226. This lock state indicating member 230 is designed to be used in combination with the notched window 234 of the lock cover 228 described above.

[0071] Specifically, for example, a part of the lock status display member 230 (normal state display portion 236) may be provided at a position corresponding to the position of the cutout window 234 of the lock status display member 230 when the engaging portion 220 of the lock member 210 is in the "normal" state, so that a display such as blue, which means "there is no problem", can be seen from the cutout window 234.

[0072] Conversely, for example, another part of the lock status display member 230 (non-normal state display part 238) may be located at a position corresponding to the position of the notched window 234 of the lock status display member 230 when the engaging part 220 of the lock member 210 is in an "abnormal state", and a display in yellow, red or the like indicating that "caution is required" may be seen from the notched window 234, or alternatively, "no display" may be displayed.

[0073] (Features of Walker 100) According to the walking frame 100 of this embodiment, the front wheels 110 are attached to the lower ends of a pair of height-adjustable support frames 114, and frames that are roughly U-shaped in plan view, such as a front erection frame 118 and a second front erection frame 120, are bridged between the pair of support frames 114, and the support frame 114 is attached to the side parts 138, 142 of the frames 118, 120. This makes it possible to provide a walking frame 100 that has the necessary and sufficient strength with a minimum number of simple member configurations.

[0074] In addition, in the walking vehicle 100 according to this embodiment, two types of frames (i.e., the front erected frame 118 and the second front erected frame 120) that are roughly U-shaped in plan view and span the pair of support frames 114 are attached at a distance in the vertical direction, thereby providing a walking vehicle 100 with higher strength.

[0075] Furthermore, in the walking vehicle 100 according to this embodiment, two types of frames (i.e., the front erected frame 118 and the second front erected frame 120) that are substantially U-shaped in plan view and span the pair of support frames 114 are connected on the rearward direction side of the support frames 114. This makes it possible to provide a walking vehicle 100 with higher strength.

[0076] Furthermore, in the walking vehicle 100 according to this embodiment, an armrest 184 is provided between a pair of side sections 196 of the handlebar 182, and the armrest 184 rotates in the traveling direction together with the handlebar 182 relative to the brake mechanism 190 and the support frame 114. This allows the handlebar 182 and the armrest 184 to be moved in a single motion when the user sits on the seat 104.

[0077] Furthermore, in the walking frame 100 according to this embodiment, an unlocking bar 212 for operating the locking member 210 is disposed along the underside of the armrest 184. As a result, when the user wishes to unlock the handlebar 182 and rotate the armrest 184 together with the handlebar 182 in the traveling direction, the user can push the armrest 184 upward together with the unlocking bar 212 from below the armrest 184, thereby enabling the lock to be released and the armrest 184 and handlebar 182 to be rotated smoothly in one continuous sequence.

[0078] In addition, according to the walker 100 of this embodiment, by pulling upward the folding operating member 131 in the folding frame section 102, as shown in FIG. 20, the horizontal frame 126 suspended between a pair of link members 124 is pulled up, shortening the distance between both ends of the link members 124, and the rear frame 116 rotates about the connecting member 122 relative to the second front suspension frame 120, thereby bringing the rear frame 116 and rear wheels 112 closer to the support frame 114 and front wheels 110, thereby allowing the walker 100 to be folded compactly.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the walking frame 100 of this embodiment, since it is equipped with the lock status display mechanism 214, even if the locking member 210 and the unlocking bar 212 are positioned in a position that is difficult for the user to see, it is possible to tell at a glance whether the handle bar 182 is locked or not. This reduces the risk that the handle bar 182 or arm rest 184 will rotate undesirably when the user is using the walking frame 100 even though the lock is released.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the walking car 100 of this embodiment, a seat stopper 162 is provided, one end of which is rotatably attached to the seat frame 160, and a guide pin 168 protruding inward from the second front erection frame 120 is fitted into a sliding slot 170, and a pair of protrusions 172 are formed protruding inward from each other to narrow the width of the sliding slot 170. As a result, when the seat frame 160 is lifted, the guide pin 168 sliding in the sliding slot 170 is caught by the protrusions 172, so that the seat frame 160 (and the seat member) can be maintained in a lifted state.

[0081] (Variation 1) In the walking frame 100 according to the embodiment described above, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, when the armrest 184 is rotated in the direction of travel together with the handle bar 182 relative to the brake mechanism 190 and the support frame 114, the positions and shapes of the armrest 184 and the brake bar 188 may be set so that the armrest 184 interferes with the brake bar 188, thereby rotating the brake bar 188 downward, and the brake mechanism 190 performs a "second braking operation."

[0082] As a result, the user can rotate the handlebars 182 and armrests 184 in the direction of travel and push them in the same rotational direction to place the brake mechanism 190 in the "second braking operation" state, thereby avoiding the risk of the user forgetting to set the brake mechanism 190 to the "second braking operation" state when attempting to sit on the seat 104, causing the walker 100 to move by mistake and injuring the user.

[0083] (Variation 2) In the walking frame 100 according to the embodiment described above, the horizontal frame 126 and the second erection frame 129 are fitted into the frame sliding slots 133 of the folding operation member 131, but it is sufficient to only fit at least the horizontal frame 126.

[0084] (Variation 3) In the walking frame 100 according to the embodiment described above, one unlocking bar 212 is installed between the pair of locking members 210, but instead, two shorter unlocking bars 212 may be attached to the unlocking bar attachment portions 222 of the respective locking members 210. Also, the locking member 210 may be either the left or right one.

[0085] (Variation 4) The front installation frame 118 is "L" shaped in side view, but the rear end side is not limited to the rear end side of the second front installation frame 120, and may be connected to any position, and may be convex to the rear (L-shaped) or convex to the front (inverted L-shaped). Furthermore, it does not have to be directly or indirectly connected to the rear end side of the second front installation frame 120, and may be connected to the support frame 114, and may have either the front installation frame 118 or the second front installation frame 120.

[0086] (Variation 5) The front wheels 110 and the rear wheels 112 may be provided with retarder wheels 300 that can automatically apply the brakes when a predetermined rotation speed is reached, thereby retarding the movement speed of the vehicle, etc., as described below.

[0087] (Configuration of the speed-reducing wheel 300) The retarder wheel 300 of this embodiment is attached to a vehicle that is moved by being pushed by hand, and as shown in Figures 23 to 27, roughly comprises a tire 302, an inner wheel 304, an outer wheel 306, a wheel cap 308, and a retarder unit 310.

[0088] The tire 302 is selected to have a material, diameter, and contact surface shape suited to the characteristics of the vehicle on which the retarder wheel 300 is mounted.

[0089] The inner wheel 304 is a circular member made of, for example, metal or resin, and has a first accommodating recess 314 formed in its center for forming a speed suppression unit accommodating space 312 in which the speed suppression unit 310 is accommodated. Also, a shaft through hole 316 is formed in the center position of this first accommodating recess 314 for passing a part of the speed suppression unit 310 (shaft 354) therethrough.

[0090] Furthermore, a plurality of bosses 326 for rotatably supporting a first planetary gear 356 (described later) are provided protruding from the inner surface of the inner wheel 304.

[0091] The outer wheel 306, like the inner wheel 304, is a circular member made of, for example, metal or resin, and is fitted into the tire 302 after being combined with the inner wheel 304. The outer wheel 306 is also formed with a second accommodating recess 318 for forming a speed suppression unit accommodating space 312 in which the speed suppression unit 310 is accommodated. A fitting hole 320 is formed at the center position of the second accommodating recess 318 for fitting a part of the speed suppression unit 310 (the shaft 354 and the center hub 370) therein so as to be rotatable. Furthermore, an access window 322 is formed near the fitting hole 320 for accessing the adjustment gear 398 of the speed suppression unit 310 from the outside of the speed suppression wheel 300.

[0092] The inner wheel 304 and the outer wheel 306 may be integrally formed.

[0093] The wheel cap 308 is a substantially disk-shaped member that is fitted into the outer central portion of the outer wheel 306. By fitting the wheel cap 308 onto the outer wheel 306, it is possible to cover and conceal the insertion hole 320 and the access window 322. Note that the wheel cap 308 is not an essential component.

[0094] The speed suppression unit 310 is accommodated in a speed suppression unit accommodating space 312 formed by combining the inner wheel 304 and the outer wheel 306. The speed suppression unit 310 will be described in detail later.

[0095] After the tire 302 is fitted onto the outer wheel 306, the inner wheel 304 and the outer wheel 306 are combined so that the speed suppression unit 310 is housed in the speed suppression unit housing space 312, and the inner wheel 304 and the outer wheel 306 are fixed together with a fixing bolt 324. Thereafter, a wheel cap 308 is fitted onto the outer central portion of the outer wheel 306, thereby completing the speed suppression wheel 300.

[0096] Next, the speed suppression unit 310 will be described with reference to Figures 28 and 29. The speed suppression unit 310 according to this embodiment generally includes a brake drum 350, an internal gear 352, a shaft 354, a first planetary gear 356, a gear plate 358, a second planetary gear 360, a base 362, and a base cover 364.

[0097] The brake drum 350 is a cylindrical member disposed closest to the outer wheel 306 among the members constituting the speed suppression unit 310, and has an accommodation space 366 that accommodates most of the other members constituting the speed suppression unit 310. The brake drum 350 also has a communication hole 368 that communicates between the accommodation space 366 and the outside, and into which one end of the shaft 354 is inserted and fixed. Furthermore, a center hub 370 that corresponds to the communication hole 368 protrudes outward from the brake drum 350 (in the direction toward the outer wheel 306).

[0098] As described above, the center hub 370 is rotatably inserted into the insertion hole 320 formed in the center position of the outer wheel 306 .

[0099] The internal gear 352 is a component having an internal gear 372 formed on the inner surface of a ring-shaped main body, and is accommodated within the accommodation space 366 of the brake drum 350 and fixed to the shaft 354 together with the brake drum 350.

[0100] The shaft 354 is a cylindrical or cylindrical rod-shaped member that is arranged so as to penetrate through the center of the entire retarder unit 310, with one end inserted and fixed into the center hub 370 of the brake drum 350 and the other end penetrating the shaft through-hole 316 of the inner wheel 304 and protruding to the outside so as to be fixed to a vehicle, etc.

[0101] As described above, this shaft 354 is fixed to the vehicle or the like on which the retarder wheel 300 is attached. In addition, the brake drum 350 and the internal gear 352 are fixed to the shaft 354. Conversely, the inner wheel 304, the outer wheel 306, the gear plate 358, the base 362, the cam 396, and the base cover 364 are rotatable relative to the shaft 354.

[0102] In this embodiment, three first planetary gears 356 are used, and each is rotatably supported by a boss 326 protruding from the inner surface of the inner wheel 304. The first planetary gears 356 are disposed at equal angles to each other around the shaft through hole 316 of the inner wheel 304. Each first planetary gear 356 meshes with an inner peripheral surface gear 372 of the inner gear 352 at an outer periphery position, and meshes with a gear plate gear 375 formed in the center of the gear plate 358 at an inner periphery position. The number of first planetary gears 356 is not limited to three.

[0103] The gear plate 358 is a substantially circular plate-shaped member having a first shaft insertion hole 374 formed at its central position, through which the shaft 354 is rotatably inserted, and a gear plate gear 375 protrudes from the first shaft insertion hole 374 on the first planetary gear 356 side.

[0104] Further, on the surface of the gear plate 358 opposite to the side on which the gear plate gear 375 protrudes, second planetary gear mounting protrusions 376 for mounting the second planetary gears 360 rotatably relative to the gear plate 358 are formed at equal angles to each other centered on the first shaft insertion hole 374. The number of second planetary gear mounting protrusions 376 formed is the same as the number of second planetary gears 360.

[0105] In this embodiment, three second planetary gears 360 are used, and each is rotatably attached to a second planetary gear attachment protrusion 376 formed on the gear plate 358. Also, each second planetary gear 360 meshes with a base gear 384 (described later) protruding from the base 362.

[0106] The base 362 is generally composed of a base body 378 and a speed reducing mechanism 380 .

[0107] The base body 378 is a substantially circular plate-shaped member having a second shaft insertion hole 382 formed at the center, through which the shaft 354 is rotatably inserted, and a base gear 384 protrudes from the second shaft insertion hole 382 on the gear plate 358 side, centered on the second shaft insertion hole 382.

[0108] The speed reducing mechanism 380 is configured on the surface opposite to the surface on which the base gear 384 protrudes, and as shown in FIG. 30, roughly comprises a brake shoe 390, an elastic member 392, a contact member 394, a cam 396, an adjustment gear 398, a second adjustment gear 400, and a guide portion 401.

[0109] The brake shoe 390 is attached to the base 362 and is a component that rotates together with the base body 378 around the shaft 354 of the retarder wheel 300, and serves to reduce the rotational speed of the retarder wheel 300 by contacting the inner surface of the brake drum 350.In this embodiment, two brake shoes 390 are used that are arranged point-symmetrically around the second shaft insertion hole 382.

[0110] Each brake shoe 390 has a brake shoe shaft insertion hole 404 into which a brake shoe shaft 402 is inserted to rotatably mount the brake shoe 390 relative to the base body 378, an elastic member abutment portion 406 formed at the end closest to the brake shoe shaft insertion hole 404 and which receives an outward pressing force from the elastic member 392, and a drum contact portion 408 formed on the outside of the end opposite the elastic member abutment portion 406 and which contacts the inner surface of the brake drum 350 when the brake shoe 390 rotates.

[0111] Furthermore, when the brake shoe 390 is stored on the cam 396 side, the inner end of the brake shoe 390 on the drum contact portion 408 side abuts against the adjustment gear 398, so that even if a pressing force from the elastic member 392 is applied, the inner end of the brake shoe 390 on the drum contact portion 408 side will not move any further toward the cam 396 side.

[0112] The elastic member 392 has one end connected to and in contact with the elastic member contact portion 406 of the brake shoe 390, and is a member for adjusting the contact of the brake shoe 390 with the inner peripheral surface of the brake drum 350, and in this embodiment a coil spring is used. Of course, as long as it fulfills the role of the elastic member 392, it is not limited to a coil spring, and other types of elastic members 392 may be used.

[0113] The contact member 394 is a member disposed on the other end side (opposite side of the elastic member abutment portion 406 of the brake shoe 390) of the elastic member 392. In this embodiment, a spherical member is used as the contact member 394, and the other end side of the elastic member (coil spring) 392 is configured to slightly overlap the contact member 394.

[0114] The cam 396 is a member that rotates together with the base body 378 around the shaft 354 of the speed-reducing wheel 300, and is located directly opposite the contact member 394, and serves to change the force that presses the elastic member 392 via the contact member 394.

[0115] The cam 396 in this embodiment is a substantially disk-shaped member having a cam hole 410 in the center, and is attached to the base body 378 so as to be rotatable about the second adjustment gear 400 by fitting the second adjustment gear 400, which protrudes on the opposite side of the base gear 384 with the second shaft insertion hole 382 of the base body 378 as the center, into the cam hole 410.

[0116] Furthermore, on the outer circumferential edge of the cam 396, two adjustable gears 412 that mesh with the adjusting gear 398 are formed at positions symmetrical about the cam hole 410, and a recess 414 is formed at a position directly facing the contact member 394. In this embodiment, two sets of three recesses 414, each with a different recess size, are formed at positions symmetrical about the cam hole 410.

[0117] Furthermore, a protrusion 416 is formed on the cam 396, protruding toward the center of the cam hole 410. In this embodiment, a pair of protrusions 416 are formed at symmetrical positions with the cam hole 410 as the center.

[0118] The adjustment gear 398 is a member that receives an external input and rotates the cam 396, thereby adjusting the force with which the cam 396 presses against the elastic member 392 via the contact member 394. In this embodiment, a pair of adjustment gears 398 are attached to the base body 378 so as to be rotatable at positions symmetrical about the cam hole 410.

[0119] Each adjustment gear 398 is adapted to mesh with an adjusted gear 412 of the cam 396, so that by rotating at least one of the adjustment gears 398, the cam 396 can be rotated relative to the base body 378 via the adjusted gear 412.

[0120] The second adjustment gear 400 is a member for fixing the cam 396, which is rotated by the above-mentioned adjustment gear 398, in a predetermined rotational position in a stepwise manner, and is provided to protrude from the base body 378. A plurality of grooves 418 that engage with the protrusions 416 of the cam 396 are formed on the peripheral surface of the second adjustment gear 400. Specifically, the cam 396 in this embodiment has three recesses 414, and the positions of the grooves 418 relative to the protrusions 416 are determined so as to correspond to the position and angle of the cam 396 relative to the base body 378 when the member 394 fits into each recess 414.

[0121] The guide portion 401 is a portion for guiding the contact member 394, the position of which is changed by the cam 396, and the elastic member 392, the position of which changes and the length of which expands or contracts, so that they are correctly directed toward the elastic member abutment portion 406 of the brake shoe 390, and in this embodiment, a pair of guide portions 401 are arranged at a predetermined interval so as to sandwich the contact member 394 and the elastic member 392. Note that in this embodiment, the interval between the pair of guide portions 401 is constant, but instead of this, the interval between the pair of guide portions 401 at the end portion near the cam 396 may be narrowed to prevent the contact member 394 from falling off the guide portion 401 on the cam 396 side.

[0122] 28 and 29, the base cover 364 is a substantially disk-shaped member attached to the base 362 so as to cover the speed-reducing mechanism 380 attached to the base main body 378. The base cover 364 is formed at its center with a third shaft insertion hole 420 through which the shaft 354 is rotatably inserted, and also has a pair of adjustment gear holes 422 formed at positions corresponding to the pair of adjustment gears 398.

[0123] By attaching this base cover 364 to the base 362, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the speed-reducing mechanism 380 from the outside and to prevent each member constituting the speed-reducing mechanism 380 from coming off.

[0124] (Operation of the retarder wheel 300) The operation of the retarder wheel 300 according to this embodiment will be described. With the other end of the shaft 354 of the retarder wheel 300 fixed to a vehicle or the like, the tire 302 is rotated. Then, the three first planetary gears 356 in the retarder unit 310 rotate about the shaft 354 via the inner wheel 304 fitted into the tire 302.

[0125] When the first planetary gear 356 rotates, it meshes with an inner peripheral gear 372 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the internal gear 352, and the rotational force is transmitted to a gear plate gear 375 of the gear plate 358 that meshes with the first planetary gear 356. Here, the rotational speed of the gear plate 358 to which the rotational force is transmitted via the first planetary gear 356 is faster than the rotational speed of the tire 302 and the inner wheel 304.

[0126] Next, the rotational force is transmitted to the base gear 384 of the base body 378 via the second planetary gear 360 which rotates around the first shaft insertion hole 374 together with the gear plate 358, causing the base 362 to rotate. The rotational speed of the base 362 is faster than the rotational speed of the gear plate 358.

[0127] When the rotational speed of the base 362 increases, centrifugal force causes the brake shoe 390 to rotate about the brake shoe shaft insertion hole 404 against the pressing force from the elastic member 392 against the elastic member abutment portion 406, and the drum contact portion 408 of the brake shoe 390 moves outward.

[0128] Then, when the drum contact portion 408 that has moved outward comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the brake drum 350 that is not rotating together with the shaft 354, a brake is applied to the rotational speed of the base 362. As a result, the rotational speed of each member decreases along the above-mentioned rotational force transmission route, and ultimately the rotational speed of the tire 302 is suppressed.

[0129] As the rotational speed of the tire 302 is reduced, the centrifugal force acting on the brake shoe 390 decreases, so that the force with which the drum contact portion 408 of the brake shoe 390 presses against the inner surface of the brake drum 350 also decreases, and the degree of reduction in speed also decreases.

[0130] When the rotational speed of the tire 302 drops to a predetermined level, the pressing force from the elastic member 392 causes the drum contact portion 408 of the brake shoe 390 to separate from the inner peripheral surface of the brake drum 350, and the deceleration effect is released.

[0131] Thereafter, when the rotational speed of the tire 302 increases again, the above-mentioned mechanism exerts a deceleration effect on the tire 302.

[0132] In addition, in the speed control wheel 300 according to this embodiment, as described above, two sets of three recesses 414 each having a different recess size are formed at positions symmetrical about the cam hole 410, and for example, in the state shown in Fig. 30, the spherical contact member 394 is fitted into the recess 414a with the largest recess. That is, in this state, the contact member 394 is located at the farthest position from the elastic member contact portion 406, and therefore the elastic member 392 is in the least compressed state.

[0133] When the contact member 394 is fitted into the recess 414a with the largest concavity, the force with which the elastic member 392 presses against the elastic member abutment portion 406 of the brake shoe 390 is smallest. As a result, the brake shoe 390 rotates against the pressing force from the elastic member 392 with a relatively small centrifugal force, and the drum contact portion 408 of the brake shoe 390 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the brake drum 350 even when the rotational speed of the tire 302 is relatively low, thereby exerting a braking force.

[0134] 31 shows a state in which adjusting gear 398 is rotated from the state shown in Fig. 30 from the outside via access window 322, thereby rotating cam 396 via adjusted gear 412 and fitting contact member 394 into central recess 414b (the second largest recess), as shown in Fig. 30. In this state, groove 418 formed in second adjusting gear 400 with which protrusion 416 formed on cam 396 engages has also moved.

[0135] In the state shown in Figure 31, the contact member 394 is fitted into recess 414b, which is smaller than recess 414a, and the contact member 394 is located closer to the elastic member abutment portion 406, so that the compressed state of the elastic member 392 is slightly greater.

[0136] As a result, the force with which the elastic member 392 presses against the elastic member abutment portion 406 of the brake shoe 390 becomes slightly larger, so that the centrifugal force with which the brake shoe 390 rotates against the pressing force from the elastic member 392 becomes slightly larger, and the drum contact portion 408 of the brake shoe 390 comes into contact with the inner surface of the brake drum 350 even when the rotational speed of the tire 302 is somewhat high, thereby exerting a braking force.

[0137] 32 shows a state in which the adjustment gear 398 is further rotated so that the contact member 394 is fitted into the recess 414c with the smallest recession. In this state, the groove 418 with which the protrusion 416 formed on the cam 396 engages has also moved further.

[0138] In the state shown in Figure 32, the contact member 394 is fitted into the recess 414c which has the smallest recession, and since the contact member 394 is in a position closest to the elastic member abutment portion 406, the compression state of the elastic member 392 is at its maximum.

[0139] As a result, the force with which the elastic member 392 presses against the elastic member abutment portion 406 of the brake shoe 390 is maximized, so that the centrifugal force with which the brake shoe 390 rotates against the pressing force from the elastic member 392 is maximized, and the drum contact portion 408 of the brake shoe 390 abuts against the inner surface of the brake drum 350 even when the rotational speed of the tire 302 is at its highest, thereby exerting a braking force.

[0140] (Features of the retarder wheel 300) In the retarder wheel 300 of this embodiment, an elastic member 392 that adjusts the contact of the brake shoe 390 (its drum contact portion 408) with the inner surface of the brake drum 350 is pressed by a cam 396 via a contact member 394. Since the contact member 394 is spherical, the contact member 394 is in point contact with the cam 396.

[0141] Therefore, unlike when there is an intermediate member between the cam 396 and the contact member 394 or when there is "surface" contact, the cam 396 can press the elastic member 392 via the contact member 394 smoothly and in a manner that ensures a wide range of speed adjustment.

[0142] This makes it possible to provide a retarder wheel that smooths the force that the elastic member 392 applies to the brake shoe 390, and allows for a wide range of adjustment of the "wheel rotational speed" at which the brake shoe 390 comes into contact with the brake drum 350.

[0143] In addition, the speed control wheel 300 of this embodiment further includes a second adjustment gear 400 that gradually fixes the cam 396 that rotates by the adjustment gear 398, and a groove 418 is formed on the circumferential surface of the second adjustment gear 400, and the cam 396 has a protrusion 416 that engages with the groove 418 of the second adjustment gear 400.

[0144] As a result, when the adjustment gear 398 is turned to adjust the force with which the cam 396 presses against the elastic member 392, the protrusions 416 engage with the corresponding grooves 418 of the second adjustment gear 400 at positions corresponding to each recess 414 formed in the cam 396, so that the user can securely fit the contact member 394 into each recess 414 while feeling a clicking sensation.

[0145] (Variation 5-1) In the retarder wheel 300 according to the embodiment described above, the planetary gears 356, 360 are used in the retarder unit 310, but the planetary gears 356, 360 and the gear plate 358 may be omitted and the base 362 may be directly attached to the inner wheel 304. In this case, the rotational speed of the base 362 will be lower than when the planetary gears 356, 360 are used, so it is necessary to set the pressing force of the elastic member 392 low enough to allow the brake shoe 390 to rotate even with a smaller centrifugal force.

[0146] (Variation 5-2) In the speed control wheel 300 according to the embodiment described above, a sphere is used as the contact member 394, but the shape of the contact member 394 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a rod shape having a substantially arc-shaped cross section (i.e., a "Kamaboko" shape). In the case of such a shape, the contact member 394 comes into "line" contact with the cam 396.

[0147] (Variation 5-3) In the cam 396 according to the embodiment described above, a recess 414 is provided around its periphery, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, a groove may be provided along the circumferential direction, or a further groove may be provided along the circumferential direction of the recess 414 to further enhance positional regulation.

[0148] According to the fifth modified example described so far, the retarder wheel 300 has a speed suppression function that utilizes centrifugal force, and includes a cylindrical brake drum 350, a base 362 that receives an external input and rotates around the shaft 354 of the retarder wheel 300, a brake shoe 390 that is attached to the base 362 and rotates around the shaft 354 of the retarder wheel 300 and reduces the rotational speed of the retarder wheel 300 by contacting the inner circumferential surface of the brake drum 350, and a brake shoe 390 that is connected at one end to the brake shoe 390 and has a contact with the inner circumferential surface of the brake drum 350. The retarder wheel 300 is provided which is equipped with an elastic member 392 which adjusts the contact of the brake shoe 390, a contact member 394 located on the other end side of the elastic member 392, a cam 396 which rotates around the shaft 354 of the retarder wheel 300 and is located directly facing the contact member 394 and changes the force pressing against the elastic member 392 via the contact member 394, and an adjustment gear 398 which receives an external input and rotates the cam 396 to adjust the force pressing against the elastic member 392, and the contact member 394 is shaped to make line or point contact with the cam 396.

[0149] Preferably, the cam 396 has a recess 414 formed in a position directly facing the abutment member 394 .

[0150] Preferably, the retarder wheel 300 further includes a second adjustment gear 400 which gradually fixes the cam 396 which rotates by the adjustment gear 398, and a groove 418 is formed on the circumferential surface of the second adjustment gear 400, and the cam 396 has a protrusion 416 which engages with the groove 418 of the second adjustment gear 400.

[0151] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 100...walking frame, 102...folding frame section, 104...seat section, 106...handle and armrest section 110...front wheel, 112...rear wheel, 114...support frame, 116...rear frame, 118...front installation frame, 120...second front installation frame, 122...connecting member, 124...link member, 126...horizontal frame, 128...rear installation frame, 129...second installation frame, 130...outer tube (of support frame 114), 131...folding operation member, 132...inner tube (of support frame 114), 133...frame (of folding operation member 131) Frame sliding long hole, 134...height adjustment bolt, 136...center portion (of front installation frame 118), 138...side portion (of front installation frame 118), 140...second center portion (of second front installation frame 120), 142...second side portion (of second front installation frame 120), 144...first mounting portion (of connecting member 122), 146...second mounting portion (of connecting member 122), 148...first member (of link member 124), 150...second member (of link member 124) 160: Seat frame; 162: Seat stopper; 166: Main body (of seat stopper 162); 168: Guide pin; 170: Sliding elongated hole (of seat stopper 168); 172: Protrusion 180 brake unit, 182 handlebar, 184 armrest, 186 armrest lock mechanism, 188 brake bar, 190 brake mechanism, 192 braking member, 194 central portion (of handlebar 182), 196 side portion (of handlebar 182), 198 rotating bracket, 200 bracket fitting groove, 202 handlebar support surface, 204 cover 210...lock member, 212...unlock bar, 213...unlock bar cover, 214...lock state display mechanism, 218...rotation center (of lock member 210), 219...handle bar fixing portion (of lock member 210), 220...locking portion (of lock member 210), 222...unlock bar mounting portion (of lock member 210), 224...locking groove, 226...retaining member, 228...lock cover, 230...lock state display member, 232...folding portion, 234...notched window, 236...normal state display portion, 238...abnormal state display portion 300... retarder wheel, 302... tire, 304... inner wheel, 306... outer wheel, 308... wheel cap, 310... retarder unit, 312... retarder unit accommodating space, 314... first accommodating recess, 316... shaft through hole, 318... second accommodating recess, 320... insertion hole, 322... access window, 324... fixing bolt, 326... boss 350...brake drum, 352...internal gear, 354...shaft, 356...first planetary gear, 358...gear plate, 360...second planetary gear, 362...base, 364...base cover, 366...accommodating space, 368...communication hole, 370...center hub, 372...inner circumferential gear, 374...first shaft insertion hole, 375...gear plate gear, 376...second planetary gear mounting protrusion, 378...base body, 380...speed suppression mechanism, 382...second shaft insertion hole Hole, 384...base gear, 390...brake shoe, 392...elastic member, 394...contact member, 396...cam, 398...adjusting gear, 400...second adjusting gear, 401...guide portion, 402...brake shoe shaft, 404...brake shoe shaft insertion hole, 406...elastic member contact portion, 408...drum contact portion, 410...cam hole, 412...adjusted gear, 414...recess, 416...projection portion, 418...groove, 420...third shaft insertion hole, 422...adjusting gear hole

Claims

1. a pair of support frames, the length of which can be adjusted, the support frames having handles attached to their upper ends and front wheels attached to their lower ends; a front installation frame that is installed between the pair of support frames and has a central portion disposed on the side in the forward direction and a pair of side portions extending in the rearward direction from both ends of the central portion; a second front-side installation frame that is installed between the pair of support frames above the front-side installation frame and has a second central portion disposed on the side in the forward direction and a pair of second side portions extending in the backward direction from both ends of the second central portion; a rear frame having rear wheels attached to its lower end; and A connecting member is provided to connect a rear end of the second side portion and an upper end of the rear frame, and to rotate the rear frame relatively to the second front installation frame. Walking car.

2. The pair of side portions each have an inclined portion extending in a rearward direction and upward, The tip ends of the pair of inclined portions are connected to the pair of second side portions of the second front installation frame, respectively. The walking vehicle of claim 1.

3. The link member further includes a first member and a second member that is rotatable relative to the first member, The first member is rotatably connected to the side portion of the front installation frame, The second member is rotatably connected to the rear frame. The walking vehicle of claim 1.

Images