Brake mechanism of walking vehicle

Abstract

To provide a brake mechanism of walking vehicle in which a user moving the same does not forget to set a parking brake, and the user can avoid forgetting to release the parking brake when moving the walking vehicle.SOLUTION: A brake mechanism 20 of a walking vehicle 10 is configured from a braking member 202, and a parking brake ON / OFF member 106 which is attached to a handle 58 of the walking vehicle 10, and performs setting and release of a parking brake by the braking member 202 by pushing / returning to / from the handle 58. The parking brake ON / OFF member 106 releases the parking brake when being pushed toward the handle 58, and sets the parking brake when being returned from the handle 58.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake mechanism for use in a walking frame for elderly people and others who have difficulty walking on their own. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A large number of walking frames have been developed for use by elderly people and others who have difficulty walking on their own (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Generally, walkers are equipped with a braking mechanism that prevents the walker from moving. In Patent Document 1, the parking brake is applied when the brake bar of the braking mechanism is pushed down, the parking brake is released when the pushed-down brake bar is pushed up and returned to its original position, and the moving brake is applied when the brake bar is grasped and pushed up.

[0004] In another example of a walker, the parking brake is set by pushing down the brake bar, and the parking brake can be released by pressing a release button near the base of the brake bar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-180613 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the braking mechanisms of conventional walkers, the user must press down on the brake bar to activate the parking brake. If the user forgets to press down the brake bar and takes their hands off the handlebars, the walker may move undesirably, which could lead to an unexpected accident.

[0007] In addition, a user may push a walker without realizing that they have forgotten to release the parking brake, and become confused when the walker does not move as expected.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a braking mechanism for a walking frame which prevents a user operating the walking frame from forgetting to set the parking brake, and which avoids the user forgetting to release the parking brake when moving the walking frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, A braking member; a parking brake on / off member attached to a handle of the walker and configured to set and release the parking brake by the braking member by pushing the member back toward the handle; The parking brake on / off member releases the parking brake when it is pushed toward the handle, and sets the parking brake when it is pushed away from the handle. A braking mechanism for the walker is provided.

[0010] Preferably, The seat frame is further provided with a selectable state between a stored state and an expanded state. When the seat frame is in the deployed state, the parking brake is not released even if the parking brake on / off member is pushed toward the handle.

[0011] Preferably, The device further includes an elbow rest member that is attached to the handle so that it can be raised or lowered, and when the elbow rest member is in the lowered position, the elbow rest member pushes the parking brake on / off member toward the handle when the user's weight is applied to the elbow rest member. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The brake mechanism of the walking frame of the present invention can set and release the parking brake using a braking member with a parking brake on / off member attached to the handle of the walking frame, so that the user operating the walking frame will not forget to set the parking brake, and can also avoid forgetting to release the parking brake when operating the walking frame. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an example of a walking frame 10 to which the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view showing an example of a walking frame 10 to which the present invention is applied. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a rear view showing an example of a walking frame 10 to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a rear wheel 12 of a walking frame 10 to which the present invention is applied. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a rear wheel 12 of a walking frame 10 to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a front wheel 14 of a walking frame 10 to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a front wheel 14 of a walking frame 10 to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a front wheel 14 of a walking frame 10 to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a seat body 86 is placed on a seat frame 84. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a left side view showing an example of an operation mechanism unit 100. FIG. [Figure 11] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a left side view showing an example of an operation mechanism unit 100. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a relay mechanism 150, taken from the center in the width direction of the walker 10, viewed to the right. [Figure 13] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a relay mechanism 150, taken from the center in the width direction of the walker 10, viewed to the right. [Figure 14]1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a relay mechanism 150, taken from the center in the width direction of the walker 10, viewed to the right. [Figure 15] 1A and 1B are a partial cross-sectional view and a side view, respectively, of an example of a braking mechanism 200, as viewed to the right from the widthwise center of the walker 10. FIG. [Figure 16] 1 is a right side view of the walking frame 10, showing an example of a braking mechanism 200. FIG. [Figure 17] 1A and 1B are a partial cross-sectional view and a side view, respectively, of an example of a braking mechanism 200, as viewed to the right from the widthwise center of the walker 10. FIG. [Figure 18] 1 is a right side view of the walking frame 10, showing an example of a braking mechanism 200. FIG. [Figure 19] 1A and 1B are a partial cross-sectional view and a side view, respectively, of an example of a braking mechanism 200, as viewed to the right from the widthwise center of the walker 10. FIG. [Figure 20] 1 is a right side view of the walking frame 10, showing an example of a braking mechanism 200. FIG. [Figure 21] 13 is a perspective view showing the shape of the end of a handle 58 and an operation mechanism 100 according to modified examples 1 and 2 (parking brake setting state). FIG. [Figure 22] 13 is a rear view showing the shape of the end of the handle 58 and the operation mechanism 100 according to the first and second modified examples. FIG. [Figure 23] 13 is a left side view showing the shape of the end of a handle 58 and an operation mechanism 100 according to first and second modified examples. FIG. [Figure 24] 13 is a perspective view showing the shape of the end of a handle 58 and an operation mechanism 100 according to modified examples 1 and 2 (parking brake released state). FIG. [Diagram 25] 13 is a plan view showing the shape of the end of a handle 58 and an operation mechanism 100 according to Modifications 1 and 2 (parking brake released state). FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view showing an example of a walking frame 10 according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the elbow rest 300 is laid down in the walking frame 10 according to the fourth modification. [Figure 28]FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the elbow rest 300 is raised in the walking frame 10 according to the fourth modification. [Figure 29] 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the left side view showing an example of an operating mechanism 100 in a walking frame 10 according to a fourth modified example. FIG. [Diagram 30] 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the left side view showing an example of an operating mechanism 100 in a walking frame 10 according to a fourth modified example. FIG. [Diagram 31] 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the left side view showing an example of an operating mechanism 100 in a walking frame 10 according to a fourth modified example. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] (About the configuration of the walking frame 10) An embodiment of a walking frame 10 to which the present invention is applied will be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the walking frame 10 generally includes rear wheels 12, a front wheel 14, a frame 16, a seat 18, and a brake mechanism 20.

[0015] In addition, throughout this specification, the front as seen by a user when using the walker 10 will be referred to as the "front" or "front side" of the walker 10, and the rear as seen by the user will be referred to as the "rear" or "rear side" of the walker 10.

[0016] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the two rear wheels 12 are arranged at a predetermined distance apart on the rear side of the walker 10, and each wheel has a rear wheel body 21, a rear axle 22, an axle stopper 24, and a wheel cap 26.

[0017] The rear wheel body 21 is a disk-shaped member with a rear axle insertion hole (not shown) formed in the center. An axle fastener receiving hole 28 is formed on the outer surface of the rear wheel body 21 with the rear axle insertion hole as the center, and a wheel cap attachment hole 30 is formed on the outer side of the axle fastener receiving hole 28. A parking brake engagement portion 204 (described later) is formed on the inner side of the rear wheel body 21 with the rear axle insertion hole as the center.

[0018] The rear axle 22 is a member for rotatably mounting the rear wheel body 21 to the lower end of a rear wheel frame 52 (described later).

[0019] The axle stopper 24 is a member attached to the tip of the rear axle 22 protruding from the rear axle insertion hole of the rear wheel body 21. By attaching this axle stopper 24 to the rear axle 22, it is possible to prevent the rear wheel body 21 from undesirably coming off the rear axle 22. As described above, the axle stopper 24 is received in the axle stopper receiving hole 28 of the rear wheel body 21.

[0020] The wheel cap 26 is a disk-shaped member that is attached to a wheel cap mounting hole 30 of the rear wheel body 21 so as to cover the axle fastener 24 from the outside when it is accommodated in the axle fastener accommodation hole 28 of the rear wheel body 21.

[0021] The wheel cap 26 roughly has a central portion 32 and an outer peripheral portion 34 located on the outer periphery of the central portion 32, and the central portion 32 is formed so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral portion 34. In this way, the central portion 32 protrudes from the outer peripheral portion 34, so that the axle retainer 24 does not come into contact with the inside of the wheel cap 26 when the wheel cap 26 is attached to the wheel cap attachment hole 30.

[0022] In addition, a number of slits 36 are formed in the peripheral portion of the central portion 32 (the portion rising from the outer peripheral portion 34). These slits 36 allow visual confirmation that the axle stopper 24 is inside the wheel cap 26 when the wheel cap is attached to the wheel cap attachment hole 30, so that the rear wheel 12 can be prevented from coming off the frame 16 when the walker 10 is used without attaching the axle stopper 24.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6, the two front wheels 14 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other on the front side of the walker 10, and each front wheel 14 has a front wheel body 40, a front wheel holding member 42, and a front wheel rotating mechanism 44.

[0024] The front wheel body 40 is a disk-shaped member having a front axle insertion hole (not shown) formed in its center. The front wheel body 40 is rotatably attached to the front wheel holding member 42 by inserting the front wheel axle 46 into the front wheel axle insertion hole.

[0025] The front wheel holding member 42 has a pair of fork portions 47, and the front wheel body 40 is rotatably attached between these fork portions 47.

[0026] The front wheel rotating mechanism 44 is a member for mounting the front wheel holding member 42 to the lower end of a front wheel frame 54 (described later) so as to be rotatable about a vertical central axis.

[0027] The front wheel rotation mechanism 44 also has a rotation restricting member 48. The rotation restricting member 48 can be raised or lowered by the user, and does not restrict the rotation of the front wheel holding member 42 when the rotation restricting member 48 is raised. However, by lowering the rotation restricting member 48, the lower end of the rotation restricting member 48 fits into the rotatable groove 50 formed on the upper end edge of the front wheel holding member 42 (state of FIG. 7). As a result, when the front wheel holding member 42 is rotated to a certain extent, the rotation restricting member 48 abuts against the end of the rotatable groove 50 (state of FIG. 8), so that the front wheel holding member 42 can be prevented from rotating any further. In the walking vehicle 10 according to this embodiment, the front wheel body 40 can rotate 120° under the rotation restriction by the rotation restricting member 48. The front wheel 14 is also provided with an axle stopper 24 having the same configuration as the rear wheel 12.

[0028] Returning from Figure 1 to Figure 3, the frame 16 has a pair of rear wheel frames 52, a pair of front wheel frames 54, a pair of handle support frames 56, a handle 58, a pair of frame holding members 60, a link frame 62, and a bridge frame 64.

[0029] The rear wheel frame 52 is a member that curves obliquely downward toward the rear of the walker 10, with one end (upper end) connected to the frame holding member 60 and the other end (lower end) to which the rear wheel 12 is attached as described above. In addition, one end (upper end) of the rear wheel frame 52 is rotatably attached to the frame holding member 60, but may alternatively be fixed to the frame holding member 60.

[0030] The front wheel frame 54 is a member that curves obliquely downward toward the front of the walker 10, with one end (upper end) connected to the frame holding member 60 and the other end (lower end) to which the front wheel 14 is attached as described above. Note that although one end (upper end) of the front wheel frame 54 is fixed to the frame holding member 60, it may alternatively be attached to the frame holding member 60 so as to be rotatable therewith.

[0031] The handle support frame 56 is a member extending vertically up and down, with one end (upper end) connected to the underside of the handle 58 and the other end (lower end) attached to the frame holding member 60 so as to be slidable up and down.

[0032] In this embodiment, a plurality of handle height adjustment holes 66 are formed on the rear side surface of the handle support frame 56, and handle height adjustment screw holes 70 for inserting handle height adjustment screws 68 are formed at corresponding positions on the frame holding member 60. The height position of the handle 58 on the walker 10 can be adjusted by inserting the tip of the handle height adjustment screw 68 that has been inserted into the handle height adjustment screw hole 70 into which handle height adjustment hole 66.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the handle support frame 56 extends substantially vertically, but only one end (upper end) is bent backward to be connected to the handle 58. This makes it possible to reduce the load caused by the force applied from above by the user to the handle 58 at the contact point between the handle support frame 56 and the handle 58. Furthermore, by bending the handle support frame 56, the load applied to the handle support frame 56 by the force applied from above by the user to the handle 58 can be dispersed, mitigating stress concentration.

[0034] The handle 58 is a generally U-shaped member extending generally horizontally, with both ends serving as grips for the user. The parking brake on / off member 106 and the brake lever 104 constituting the brake mechanism 20 are disposed on these grips.

[0035] The shape of the handle 58 is not limited to that of this embodiment, and may be, for example, independent left and right handles.

[0036] As described above, the frame holding member 60 is a resin member for holding the rear wheel frame 52, the front wheel frame 54, and the handle support frame 56 together.

[0037] The link frames 62 are attached in pair on the left and right sides to facilitate the operation when folding the walker 10. In this embodiment, each link frame 62 has a rear-wheel frame-side link bar 72, a front-wheel frame-side link bar 74, and a bridging link bar 76.

[0038] The rear wheel frame side link bar 72 is a rectangular member with one end rotatably connected to the inner surface of the rear wheel frame 52 and the other end rotatably connected to the other end of the front wheel frame side link bar 74.

[0039] The front wheel frame side link bar 74 is a rectangular member with one end rotatably connected to the inner surface of the front wheel frame 54 and the other end rotatably connected to the other end of the rear wheel frame side link bar 72.

[0040] The bridging link bar 76 is a round bar-shaped member, with one end attached to the other end of one of the rear wheel frame side link bars 72, and the other end attached to the other end of the other rear wheel frame side link bar 72. This bridging link bar 76 allows the pair of left and right link frames 62 to move in the same manner.

[0041] The bridging frame 64 is a member that is bridged between a pair of left and right rear wheel frames 52 or between the front wheel frames 54, and in this embodiment has a rear wheel frame upper bridging frame 78, a front wheel frame upper bridging frame 80, and a front wheel frame lower bridging frame 82.

[0042] The rear wheel frame upper bridge frame 78 is a round bar-shaped member with one end attached to the inner surface of the upper end of one of the rear wheel frames 52, and the other end attached to the inner surface of the upper end of the other rear wheel frame 52. As will be described later, this rear wheel frame upper bridge frame 78 also has the role of supporting the seat frame 84 from below when the seat frame 84 is in the unfolded state.

[0043] The front wheel frame upper bridge frame 80 is a round bar-shaped member, one end of which is attached to the inner surface of approximately the center of one front wheel frame 54, and the other end of which is attached to the inner surface of approximately the center of the other front wheel frame 54.

[0044] The front wheel frame lower bridge frame 82 is a round bar-shaped member with one end attached to the inner surface of the lower end of one front wheel frame 54 and the other end attached to the inner surface of the lower end of the other front wheel frame 54.

[0045] Up to this point, when the walker 10 of this embodiment is viewed in a plane, the rear wheel frame 52, the front wheel frame 54, the rear wheel frame upper bridge frame 78, and the front wheel frame upper bridge frame 80 form a first rectangular frame configuration that is approximately quadrangular.

[0046] Furthermore, when the walker 10 is viewed in a plan view, below the first rectangular frame configuration, a second rectangular frame configuration having an approximately square shape is formed by the front wheel frame lower bridging frame 82, a pair of rear wheel frame side link bars 72 and front wheel frame side link bars 74, and the bridging link bar 76.

[0047] The seat 18 is provided for a user to sit down on during rest, etc., and in this embodiment, has a seat frame 84 and a seat main body 86.

[0048] The seat frame 84 has a shape obtained by bending a round bar-shaped member into a substantially U-shape, with one end rotatably attached to the upper end of one of the rear wheel frames 52 via a frame holding member 60, and the other end rotatably attached to the upper end of the other rear wheel frame 52 via a frame holding member 60. This allows the seat frame 84 to rotate approximately 180° relative to the rear wheel frames 52. When the seat frame 84 is tilted forward as shown in FIG. 1, this is called the "storage state", and conversely, when the seat frame 84 is tilted backward, this is called the "deployed state".

[0049] The seat body 86 is a cushion that is placed over the outside of the seat frame 84. When the seat body 86 is attached to the seat frame 84, it becomes in the state shown in Figure 9. Furthermore, a shopping basket or the like can be placed on the surface that faces upward when the seat is in the stored state, and hooks 88 are attached to both side ends of the seat body 86 to prevent the shopping basket or the like from slipping off.

[0050] Returning from Figure 1 to Figure 3, the brake mechanism 20 includes a parking brake that is operated by the user of the walker 10 and prevents the walker 10 from moving undesirably when stopped, and a braking brake that is pushed by the user to adjust the speed of the moving walker 10 or apply a braking force to stop the walker 10.

[0051] The brake mechanism 20 in the walking frame 10 according to this embodiment is roughly composed of an operation mechanism section 100, a relay mechanism section 150, and a braking mechanism section 200.

[0052] 10 and 11, a pair of operation mechanisms 100 are provided on both ends of the handle 58. Each operation mechanism 100 has an operation unit case 102, a brake lever 104, a parking brake on / off member 106, a brake wire 108, and a wire tube 109.

[0053] The operation unit case 102 is a box-shaped body having an internal space 110 attached to both ends of the handle 58, and is attached so as to hang down from the handle 58, with the handle 58 passing through the upper end.

[0054] A portion of the brake lever 104 is housed in the internal space 110 of the operation unit case 102, and the remaining portion has a shape that protrudes rearward from the operation unit case 102. Since the portion housed in the internal space 110 is pivotally supported by the operation unit case 102, the brake lever 104 is rotatable relative to the operation unit case 102.

[0055] Moreover, one end of a brake wire 108 is attached to the brake lever 104 below the rotation center of the portion of the brake lever 104 housed in the internal space 110 .

[0056] Furthermore, a parking brake release protrusion 114 is provided above the rotation center of the portion of the brake lever 104 housed in the internal space 110 so as to protrude upward.

[0057] The brake wire 108 is led from the outside into the internal space 110 of the operating unit case 102 while inserted into a wire tube 109, and one end of the wire tube 109 is fixed to the operating unit case 102 at the peripheral end of the internal space 110.

[0058] The parking brake on / off member 106 is attached to the handle 58 of the walker 10 and is a member that sets and releases the parking brake, and in this embodiment, is attached so as to cover the handle 58 and the operation unit case 102 from above.

[0059] More specifically, the front upper end of the parking brake on / off member 106 is pivoted on the upper surface of the handle 58 (and the upper end of the operation unit case 102), and the parking brake on / off member 106 is rotatable in the vertical direction relative to the handle 58.

[0060] Further, below the above-mentioned pivot position and at a position where it abuts against the parking brake release protrusion 114 of the brake lever 104, a parking brake release member 116 is installed in a substantially horizontal direction so as to penetrate the operation unit case 102.

[0061] As a result, when the user releases his / her hand from the parking brake on / off member 106, the parking brake release member 116 abuts against and is pressed against the parking brake release protrusion 114 of the brake lever 104, causing the parking brake on / off member 106 to rotate upward about the pivot position (i.e., in the direction in which the rear end of the parking brake on / off member 106 moves away from the handle 58).

[0062] Conversely, when the user grips the parking brake on / off member 106 together with the handle 58, the parking brake on / off member 106 rotates downward about the pivot position (i.e., in the direction in which the rear end of the parking brake on / off member 106 approaches the handle 58), causing the parking brake release member 116 to press the parking brake release protrusion 114, and causing the brake lever 104 to rotate in the direction in which it approaches the handle 58 (i.e., in the same direction as when the user grips the brake lever 104).

[0063] Next, the relay mechanism 150 is a mechanism for finally transmitting the movement of the brake wire 108 and the wire tube 109 caused by the user operating the above-mentioned operation mechanism 100 to the braking mechanism 200, and as shown in Fig. 12, a pair of relay mechanisms 150 are provided corresponding to the pair of left and right operation mechanisms 100. In this embodiment, each relay mechanism 150 roughly has a link member 152, a transmission rod 154, a wire tube holding member 156, a seat frame synchronization lever 158, a seat frame synchronization rod 160, and a relay mechanism synchronization member 161.

[0064] The link member 152 is a generally plate-shaped member that is pivotally attached to the inner surface of the upper end of the rear wheel frame 52. The brake wire 108 from the operation mechanism 100 comes from the front side of the pivot position of the link member 152 and is attached to the link member 152 rearward of the pivot position.

[0065] One end (upper end) of the transmission rod 154 is attached to the link member 152 below and in front of the pivot position. The other end (lower end) of the transmission rod 154 is attached to a braking member 202 (described later) of the braking mechanism 200.

[0066] As a result, when the user grips the brake lever 104 of the operating mechanism unit 100 to pull the brake wire 108, the link member 152 rotates clockwise in the figure around the pivot position, causing one end (upper end) of the transmission rod 154 to be pulled upward, and also causing the braking member 202 to which the other end (lower end) of the transmission rod 154 is attached to rotate.

[0067] The wire tube holding member 156 is a generally rectangular member, and one end of the wire tube holding member 156 is pivotally attached to the inner surface of the upper end of the rear wheel frame 52. The pivotal position of the wire tube holding member 156 is forward of the pivotal position of the link member 152.

[0068] The other end of the wire tube holding member 156 is disposed forward and below the above-mentioned one end, and the other end of the wire tube 109 is attached thereto.

[0069] In this embodiment, the seat frame synchronizing lever 158 is made up of a first seat frame synchronizing lever 162, a second seat frame synchronizing lever 164, and a synchronizing member 166 connected to these. The first seat frame synchronizing lever 162 is a substantially rectangular member, one end of which is axially attached coaxially to the seat frame 84, and the other end of which is integrally connected to the synchronizing member 166.

[0070] The second seat frame synchronization lever 164 is also a generally rectangular member, one end of which is coaxially attached to the seat frame 84 and one end of the seat frame synchronization rod 160 is attached to the other end.

[0071] The seat frame synchronization rod 160 is an approximately U-shaped round bar member, and as described above, one end is attached to the other end of the second seat frame synchronization lever 164, and the other end is attached to approximately the center of the wire tube holding member 156.

[0072] In addition, the relay mechanism synchronization member 161 is a long plate-shaped member, one end of which is connected to the link member 152 in one relay mechanism unit 150 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation plane of the link member 152, and the other end of which is connected to the link member 152 in the other relay mechanism unit 150 in the same direction.

[0073] When the link member 152 in one of the relay mechanisms 150 is pulled by the brake wire 108 and rotates, the movement is transmitted to the other link member 152 by this relay mechanism synchronizing member 161, causing the other link member 152 to also rotate.

[0074] As a result, when the user operates only one of the pair of operation mechanisms 100, the movement is linked to the other of the relay mechanism 150 and the brake mechanism 200.

[0075] In this way, by providing the member (relay mechanism synchronization member 161) that links the pair of left and right brake mechanisms 20 in the relay mechanism 150, which is located at a higher position, rather than in the braking mechanism 200 close to the rear wheel 12, the advantage is that the area around the rear wheel 12, which is at the user's feet, can be used more widely.

[0076] Here, a description will be given of the movement of the relay mechanism 150 when the seat frame 84 is rotated from the stored state (FIG. 12) through the intermediate state (FIG. 13) to the deployed state (FIG. 14).

[0077] When the seat frame 84 is lifted from the stored state to the deployed state, first, when the seat frame 84 rotates approximately 90°, an end of the seat frame 84 abuts against the synchronizing member 166 of the first seat frame synchronizing lever 162. When the seat frame 84 is rotated further from here, the first seat frame synchronizing lever 162 starts to rotate via the synchronizing member 166 pressed by the end of the seat frame 84, and further, the second seat frame synchronizing lever 164 pressed by the synchronizing member 166 also starts to rotate (the state shown in FIG. 13).

[0078] Then, the seat frame synchronization rod 160 also moves in conjunction with the rotation of the second seat frame synchronization lever 164, and when the seat frame 84 finally reaches the deployed state (FIG. 14), the other end of the seat frame synchronization rod 160 has moved the other end of the wire tube holding member 156 rearward compared to the stored state. In other words, the other end of the wire tube 109 attached to the other end of the wire tube holding member 156 has also moved rearward (toward the link member 152).

[0079] As a result, when the seat frame 84 is in the unfolded state, the other end of the wire tube 109 is closer to the link member 152, so that even if the user grips the brake lever 104 and pulls the brake wire 108, the brake wire 108 cannot rotate the link member 152, and the transmission rod 154 is not pulled upward.

[0080] When the seat frame 84 is returned from the deployed state to the stored state, the position of the other end of the wire tube 109 returns to its original position. Therefore, when the user grips the brake lever 104 and pulls the brake wire 108, the brake wire 108 rotates the link member 152, and the transmission rod 154 is pulled upward.

[0081] The braking mechanism 200 is a mechanism for putting the walker 10 into a parking brake set state, a parking brake released state, and a hand brake applied state in response to the movement of the transmission rod 154 in the relay mechanism 150 described above, and in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, roughly has a braking member 202, a parking brake engagement portion 204, and a transmission rod biasing member 210.

[0082] The braking member 202 is a member rotatably supported at the lower end of the rear wheel frame 52, and has a parking brake protrusion 206 formed at one end and a braking brake protrusion 208 formed at the other end.

[0083] In addition, the other end (lower end) of the transmission rod 154 is rotatably attached to approximately the center of the braking member 202, closer to the parking brake protrusion 206 of the braking member 202 than the rotation center about which the braking member 202 rotates relative to the rear wheel frame 52.

[0084] As a result, when the transmission rod 154 moves downward, the braking member 202 rotates relative to the rear wheel frame 52, and the parking brake projection 206 engages with the parking brake engagement portion 204 formed on the inner surface of the rear wheel body 21, while the braking projection 208 moves away from the peripheral surface of the rear wheel 12 (parking brake set state). Figures 15 and 16 show this state.

[0085] Conversely, when the transmission rod 154 moves upward, the braking member 202 rotates relative to the rear wheel frame 52, and the parking brake protrusion 206 moves away from the parking brake engagement portion 204 (parking brake released state), and as the braking member 202 continues to rotate, the parking brake protrusion 208 comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the rear wheel 12 to suppress the rotation of the rear wheel 12 (hand brake braking state).

[0086] The parking brake engagement portion 204 is composed of a plurality of ribs 212 formed radially outward from the center of rotation of the rear wheel 12 on the inner surface of the rear wheel main body 21. Gaps are formed between each of the ribs 212, and the parking brake projections 206 of the braking member 202 are adapted to engage with these gaps.

[0087] The width of the outer end of each rib 212 is made wider than the other portions so that the parking brake projection 206 can easily engage with the boundary between this wider portion and the other portions.

[0088] The transmission rod biasing member 210 is a member that constantly biases the transmission rod 154 so as to move downward. In this embodiment, a helical spring is used as the transmission rod biasing member 210, and one end of the transmission rod biasing member 210 is attached to the lower end of the transmission rod 154 (the attachment position of the transmission rod 154 relative to the brake member 202), and the other end is attached to the rear wheel frame 52.

[0089] (Explanation of the operation of the brake mechanism 20) Here, the operation of the brake mechanism 20 of the walking frame 10 according to this embodiment will be described. First, when the user releases his / her hands from the operation mechanism 100, the transmission rod 154 is urged downward by the transmission rod urging member 210, and the brake wire 108 is pulled toward the relay mechanism 150 via the link member 152, urging the brake lever 104 to rotate downward, so that the parking brake release member 116 comes into contact with and is pressed against the parking brake release protrusion 114 of the brake lever 104, causing the parking brake on / off member 106 to rotate upward about the pivot position (i.e., in the direction in which the rear end of the parking brake on / off member 106 moves away from the handle 58).

[0090] As a result, the brake wire 108 is sent out towards the relay mechanism 150, causing the link member 152 of the relay mechanism 150 to rotate rearward, and accompanying this, the transmission rod 154 moves downward.

[0091] When the transmission rod 154 moves downward, the braking member 202 rotates relative to the rear wheel frame 52, the parking brake protrusion 206 engages with the parking brake engagement portion 204 formed on the inner surface of the rear wheel main body 21, and the braking brake protrusion 208 moves away from the peripheral surface of the rear wheel 12.

[0092] As a result, when the user releases the operation mechanism unit 100, the parking brake projection 206 of the braking member 202 engages with the parking brake engagement portion 204 of the rear wheel body 21, resulting in a "parking brake set state."

[0093] Next, from this "parking brake set state," when the user grips the parking brake on / off member 106 together with the handle 58, the parking brake on / off member 106 rotates downward about the pivot position (i.e., in the direction in which the rear end of the parking brake on / off member 106 approaches the handle 58), causing the parking brake release member 116 to press the parking brake release protrusion 114, and causing the brake lever 104 to rotate upward toward the handle 58 (i.e., in the same direction as when the user grips the brake lever 104).

[0094] As a result, the brake wire 108 is slightly retracted from the relay mechanism 150, causing the link member 152 of the relay mechanism 150 to rotate forward, and accompanying this, the transmission rod 154 moves slightly upward.

[0095] When the transmission rod 154 moves upward, the braking member 202 rotates relative to the rear wheel frame 52, the parking brake protrusion 206 moves away from the parking brake engagement portion 204 of the rear wheel body 21, and the braking brake protrusion 208 moves to a position just before it contacts the peripheral surface of the rear wheel 12 (see Figures 17 and 18).

[0096] As a result, when the user grips the parking brake on / off member 106 together with the handle 58, the parking brake projection 206 of the braking member 202 moves away from the parking brake engaging portion 204 of the rear wheel body 21, and the braking brake projection 208 is in a position just before contacting the circumferential surface of the rear wheel 12, resulting in a "parking brake released state." In this state, the brake mechanism 20 is not applying a braking force to the rear wheel 12, so the user can freely push the walker 10 and walk.

[0097] When the user further grips the brake lever 104 from this “parking brake released state,” the brake lever 104 rotates further upward toward the handlebars 58 .

[0098] As a result, the brake wire 108 is further pulled in from the relay mechanism 150, causing the link member 152 of the relay mechanism 150 to rotate further forward, and accordingly, the transmission rod 154 moves further upward.

[0099] When the transmission rod 154 moves further upward, the braking member 202 rotates further relative to the rear wheel frame 52, and the braking projection 208 comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the rear wheel 12 (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

[0100] As a result, when the user grips the brake lever 104, the braking projection 208 of the braking member 202 comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the rear wheel 12, resulting in a "hand brake braking state." When the user grips the brake lever 104 firmly, the braking projection 208 of the braking member 202 comes into strong contact with the circumferential surface of the rear wheel 12 via the brake wire 108 and the transmission rod 154, increasing the braking force of the rear wheel 12.

[0101] Of course, when the user releases the brake lever 104 from this "hand brake braking state" and also releases his / her hand from the parking brake on / off member 106, the force of the transmission rod biasing member 210 causes the state to return to the "parking brake released state" and then to the "parking brake set state", in the opposite order to that described above.

[0102] Furthermore, as described above, when the seat frame 84 is rotated from the stored state to the deployed state, even if the user grips the brake lever 104 and pulls the brake wire 108, the brake wire 108 cannot rotate the link member 152, and the transmission rod 154 is not pulled upward, so that when the seat frame 84 is in the deployed state, the "parking brake setting state" is always maintained.

[0103] (Features of brake mechanism 20) According to the brake mechanism 20 of the walker 10 of this embodiment, the parking brake can be set and released by the braking member 202 with the parking brake on / off member 106 attached to the handle 58 of the walker 10, so that the user operating the walker 10 will not forget to set the parking brake, and can avoid forgetting to release the parking brake when moving the walker 10.

[0104] In addition, the parking brake on / off member 106 is configured to release the parking brake when it is close to the handle 58, and to set the parking brake when it is away from the handle 58. This eliminates the possibility of the user forgetting to set the parking brake, and provides a safer walking frame 10.

[0105] (Frame structure of walking frame 10) The walker 10 of this embodiment comprises a pair of front wheel frames 54 to which a pair of front wheels 14 are attached, a pair of rear wheel frames 52 to which a pair of rear wheels 12 are attached, a handle 58 having a pair of grip portions extending in the fore-and-aft direction, and a rear wheel frame upper bridge frame 78 suspended between the upper portions of the rear wheel frames 52, and when viewed from the rear to the front, the pair of rear wheel frames 52 are positioned inward of the pair of grip portions.

[0106] This allows the construction of a walking frame 10 with the narrowest possible frame width and with which the legs of the user are unlikely to hit the frame when in use.

[0107] In addition, the frame is provided with a pair of front wheel frame side link bars 74 and rear wheel frame side link bars 72 arranged between one front wheel frame 54 and one rear wheel frame 52, and between the other front wheel frame 54 and the other rear wheel frame 52, respectively, and a bridging link bar 76 installed between at least one of the pair of front wheel frame side link bars 74 and the pair of rear wheel frame side link bars 72, so that when folding the rear wheel frame 52 by bringing it closer relative to the front wheel frame 54, it is only necessary to move the bridging link bar 76.

[0108] Furthermore, the seat frame 84 is rotatably mounted relative to the rear wheel frame 52 and can be switched between a stored state and an unfolded state. The rear wheel frame upper bridge frame 78 is adapted to support the seat frame in the unfolded state, so that even if the user's weight is applied to the seat frame 84 in the unfolded state, it can reliably support the weight.

[0109] The bicycle further includes a brake mechanism 20 having an operating mechanism 100 provided on the handlebar and operated by the user, a relay mechanism 150 that transmits the movement of the operating mechanism 100 to both rear wheels 12, and a braking mechanism 200 that brakes the rear wheels 12 based on the movement of the relay mechanism 150, and the relay mechanism 150 is arranged in the vicinity of the upper bridge frame 78 of the rear wheel frame.

[0110] This helps to keep the user's legs from hitting the frame when in use.

[0111] (Variation 1) Instead of the shapes of both ends of the handle 58 according to the embodiment described above, both ends of the handle 58 may have a shape as shown in FIG.

[0112] The shape of both ends of the handle 58 according to this first modification is characterized in that the top surface side is a substantially flat surface A (see FIG. 22). In addition, in a side view, there is a first center line CL1 that extends from the position farthest from the edge of the end (user's grip) of the handle 58 toward the edge, and a second center line CL2 that extends from the approximate center of the user's grip to the edge, and the second center line CL2 is located lower than the first center line CL1. The first center line CL1 and the second center line CL2 are connected by a smooth arc (see FIG. 23).

[0113] (Variation 2) Returning to FIG. 21, the operation mechanism section 100 of the brake mechanism 20 attached to the handle 58 generally includes an operation section case 220 , a brake lever 222 , and a parking brake setting member 224 .

[0114] The parking brake is set by pulling down the brake lever 222 and pushing the parking brake setting member 224 into the operation unit case 220 (Figure 21 shows this state). Then, when the brake lever 222 is pulled up from this state, the upper end of the parking brake setting member 224 comes out to the side from the operation unit case 220, and the parking brake is released (see Figure 24).

[0115] As shown in FIG. 25, a parking brake setting member confirmation hole 226 is formed on the top surface of the operation unit case 220 at a position where the upper end of the parking brake setting member 224 is housed so that the upper surface of the parking brake setting member 224 in the housed state can be visually observed.

[0116] This makes it easier to avoid the inconvenience of the user mistakenly trying to move the walker 10 with the parking brake still set.

[0117] (Variation 3) The brake mechanism 20 of the walking frame 10 employed in the present invention includes a braking member 202 that applies the parking brake, and a parking brake on / off member 106 that is attached to the handle 58 of the walking frame 10 and that sets and releases the parking brake by the braking member 202 by pushing it back toward the handle 58. The parking brake on / off member 106 is configured to release the parking brake when it is pushed toward the handle 58 and to set the parking brake when it is returned from the handle 58. The configuration of this brake mechanism 20 sets the parking brake in the initial state, and by attaching the parking brake on / off member 106 to the handle 58, when the walking frame 10 is used by gripping the handle 58, it can be used in the same operating state as the gripping operation, that is, in the gripping state together with the handle 58, and the parking brake on / off member 106 can be pushed toward the handle 58 with a natural movement, so that the parking brake can be released without difficulty. Therefore, there is no risk of forgetting to apply the parking brake, and the parking brake can be released without consciousness when using the walking frame 10, which is particularly useful as a walking frame 10 used by elderly people.

[0118] In the embodiment described above, the parking brake on / off member 106 is located above the handle 58, but this is not limiting. The parking brake on / off member 106 only needs to be gripped together with the handle 58, and can be located in any position, such as to the side or below the handle 58. Preferably, the user uses the handle 58 by applying a load from above, so a position above the handle 58 allows the parking brake on / off member 106 to be pushed toward the handle 58 without difficulty.

[0119] The brake mechanism 20 of the walking frame 10 employed in the present invention is equipped with a seat frame 84 that can be switched between a stored state and an expanded state, and is configured such that when the seat frame 84 is in the expanded state, the parking brake is not released even if the parking brake on / off member 106 is pushed toward the handle 58. This brake mechanism 20 employs an operation configuration that is independent of the selection of the stored state or expanded state of the seat frame 84, and when the user sits on the seat main body 86, the user releases the handle 58 to change the state of the seat frame 84, but the seat frame 84 can be safely changed to the stored state or expanded state while restricting the movement of the walking frame 10.

[0120] (Variation 4) Furthermore, instead of the handle 58 and the operation mechanism 100 according to the embodiment described above, a handle 58 and an operation mechanism 100 as shown in Fig. 26 may be used. Below, configurations specific to the handle 58 and the operation mechanism 100 of the walking frame 10 according to the fourth modification will be described, and the remaining parts will be described in the description of the walking frame 10 according to the embodiment described above.

[0121] The walking frame 10 according to the fourth modification can be used by a user by resting both elbows on the handle 58 and resting his / her weight on the walking frame 10. For this reason, the handle 58 further includes an elbow rest member 300, and the front portion of the handle 58 is shaped as if it is raised. In other words, the handle 58 is made up of front-rear horizontal portions 302 at both ends where the elbow rest members 300 are located, inclined portions 304 each extending diagonally upward from the front end of the front-rear horizontal portions 302, and left-right horizontal portions 306 connected to the tips of the inclined portions 304.

[0122] 27 and 28, the front end of the elbow rest 300 is pivotally supported so that it can be raised or lowered on the upper surface of the front-to-rear horizontal section 302 of the handle 58. When the elbow rest 300 is tilted over against the handle 58 (the state shown in Figure 27), the elbow rest 300 covers the end of the handle 58 from above, and the underside of the elbow rest 300 abuts against the upper side of the parking brake on / off member 106 of the operating mechanism 100.

[0123] In addition, when the elbow rest member 300 is raised relative to the handlebar 58 (as shown in Figure 28), the elbow rest member 300 tilts forward, so that both ends of the handlebar 58 and the parking brake on / off member 106 of the operating mechanism unit 100 can be seen from above.

[0124] Furthermore, in the fourth variation, an elbow rest member biasing member 308 that biases the elbow rest member 300 upward in the laid-down state is arranged on the front end of the top surface of the operation unit case 102. Specifically, the elbow rest member biasing member 308 is arranged so as to protrude from an opening provided in the parking brake on / off member 106, which is positioned to cover the operation unit case 102 from above. By this elbow rest member biasing member 308 biasing the elbow rest member 300 upward in the laid-down state, it is possible to prevent the parking brake on / off member 106 from being pushed downward by the weight of the elbow rest member 300, which would otherwise cause the parking brake on / off member 106 to enter an undesired "parking brake released state."

[0125] Next, the operation mechanism unit 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 29 (showing the "parking brake set state"). The operation mechanism unit 100 in the fourth modification has an operation unit case 102, a brake lever 104, a parking brake on / off member 106, a brake wire 108, a wire tube 109, a front brake lever 310, and a front brake lever link 312.

[0126] The front brake lever 310 is disposed along the underside of the handlebar 58, and is shaped so that the front portion is raised. This allows a user to naturally grip the front brake lever 310 while resting their elbow on the elbow rest member 300 and gripping the handlebar 58.

[0127] In addition, both ends of the front brake lever 310 are each housed within the operation unit case 102, and the front brake lever 310 is pivotally supported in the operation unit case 102 so that the front portion of the front brake lever 310 can rotate up and down.

[0128] The front brake lever link 312 is a rectangular member disposed within the pair of operation unit cases 102, and one end of the front brake lever link 312 is rotatably supported at an end of the front brake lever 310. The other end of the front brake lever link 312 is rotatably supported relative to the brake lever 104 in the vicinity of the parking brake release protrusion 114 of the brake lever 104.

[0129] As a result, when the user pulls (grabs) the front brake lever 310 toward the handlebar 58, the front portion of the front brake lever 310 moves in the upper right direction in the figure, causing the opposite end of the front brake lever 310 to move downward in the figure. Then, the brake lever 104 rotates counterclockwise in the figure via the front brake lever link 312, causing the brake wire 108 to be pulled to the right in the figure, resulting in the "parking brake released state" shown in Figure 30.

[0130] From this state, when the user further pulls (grabs) the front brake lever 310 toward the handlebars 58, the brake lever 104 further rotates counterclockwise in the figure via the front brake lever link 312, causing the brake wire 108 to be pulled further to the right in the figure, resulting in the "hand brake braking state" shown in Figure 31.

[0131] To explain this using the example of a user putting their weight on the elbow rest member 300, when the user puts their weight on the elbow rest member 300, the parking brake on / off member 106 is pushed downward, and the parking brake release member 116 presses the parking brake release protrusion 114, causing the brake lever 104 to rotate counterclockwise in Figure 29, thereby pulling the brake wire 108 and entering the "parking brake released state."

[0132] In this way, with the walking frame 10 of the fourth modification, the user can put their weight on the elbow rest member 300 to push the parking brake on / off member 106 downward via the elbow rest member 300 to put the walking frame 10 into the "parking brake released state," or they can pull (squeeze) the front brake lever 310 to put the walking frame 10 into the "parking brake released state." In addition, the front brake lever 310 can be pulled (squeezed) further to put the walking frame 10 into the "hand brake applied state," or they can be gripped the brake lever 104 with the elbow rest member 300 raised to put the walking frame 100 into the "hand brake applied state."

[0133] 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]

[0134] 10...walker, 12...rear wheel, 14...front wheel, 16...frame, 18...seat, 20...brake mechanism 21...rear wheel body, 22...rear axle, 24...axle fastener, 26...wheel cap, 28...axle fastener receiving hole, 30...wheel cap mounting hole, 32...center portion, 34...outer periphery, 36...slit, 40...front wheel body, 42...front wheel holding member, 44...front wheel turning mechanism, 46...front wheel axle, 47...fork portion, 48...turning restriction member, 50...turnable groove, 52...rear wheel frame, 54...front wheel frame, 56...handle support frame, 58...handle, 60...frame frame holding member, 62...link frame, 64...bridge frame, 66...handle height adjustment hole, 68...handle height adjustment screw, 70...handle height adjustment screw hole, 72...rear wheel frame side link bar, 74...front wheel frame side link bar, 76...bridge link bar, 78...rear wheel frame upper bridge frame, 80...front wheel frame upper bridge frame, 82...front wheel frame lower bridge frame, 84...seat frame, 86...seat body, 88...hook 100...operation mechanism portion, 102...operation portion case, 104...brake lever, 106...parking brake on / off member, 108...brake wire, 109...wire tube, 110...internal space, 114...parking brake release protrusion, 116...parking brake release member 150... relay mechanism portion, 152... link member, 154... transmission rod, 156... wire tube holding member, 158... seat frame synchronization lever, 160... seat frame synchronization rod, 161... relay mechanism portion synchronization member, 162... first seat frame synchronization lever, 164... second seat frame synchronization lever, 166... ​​synchronization member 200... Braking mechanism portion, 202... Braking member, 204... Parking brake engagement portion, 206... Parking brake projection, 208... Brake projection, 210... Transmission rod biasing member, 212... Rib 220: operation unit case, 212: brake lever, 214: parking brake setting member, 226: parking brake setting member confirmation hole 300: elbow rest member, 302: front-rear horizontal portion, 304: inclined portion, 306: left-right horizontal portion, 308: elbow rest member biasing member, 310: front brake lever, 312: front brake lever link

Claims

1. A braking member; a parking brake on / off member attached to a handle of the walker and configured to set and release the parking brake by the braking member by pushing the member back toward the handle; The parking brake on / off member releases the parking brake when it is pushed toward the handle, and sets the parking brake when it is pushed away from the handle. Brake mechanism of a walker.

2. The seat frame is further provided with a selectable state between a stored state and an expanded state. When the seat frame is in the deployed state, the parking brake is not released even if the parking brake on / off member is pushed toward the handle.

2. The brake mechanism of claim 1.

3. The parking brake ON / OFF member is further provided with an elbow rest member that is attached to the handle so as to be able to be raised or lowered, and in the lowered state, when the user's weight is applied thereto, the elbow rest member pushes the parking brake ON / OFF member toward the handle.

2. The brake mechanism of claim 1.

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