Portable slope device

Abstract

To prevent formation of a bank-like part between an upper end of a slope device and a higher-level surface in a state where the slope device is installed between the higher-level surface and a lower-level surface, and ensure a high travel property and operability during travel of a wheelchair using the slope device, and high reliability in use.SOLUTION: Upper end locking sections 24 that hook and hold ends of slopes 2, 3 in a state of substantially matching a height of a higher-level surface F1 at a position immediately before the step of the higher-level surface F1 are provided on both ends in a slope arrangement direction of a first slope 2 and a second slope 3. Additionally, intermediate support sections 25 that hold ends 2a, 3a in a state of substantially matching the height of the higher-level surface at a position immediately before the step of the higher-level surface F1 are provided on the ends 2a, 3a in a slope direction of a connection section of the respective slopes 23. With this configuration, a passage between the higher-level surface F1 and a passage surface 13 of the slope device 1 is flattened, a travel property and operability during the use of a wheelchair is remarkably improved, and reliability during the use of the wheelchair is improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable ramp device. [Background technology]

[0002] As this type of portable slope device, for example, those shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known.

[0003] The device shown in Patent Document 1 consists of at least two plywood sheets with fiber-reinforced plastic plates glued to both the front and back of a square core, and each plywood sheet has a tapered structure at the top and bottom ends in the direction of travel to eliminate any steps in the plywood itself, and the outer surfaces facing the direction of travel are fitted together with a frame member. The two plywood sheets are arranged in parallel in the direction of travel and the opposing sides of the plywood sheets are connected with a sheet material so that the plywood sheets can be folded so that they overlap each other.

[0004] The device shown in Patent Document 2 is a portable ramp used for wheelchair travel by spanning steps between objects, and comprises a pair of left and right ramp pieces which are integrally formed with a plate-shaped ramp body whose upper surface is the running surface for the wheelchair and a side wall which rises from the outer edge of the ramp body and extends along the length of the ramp to prevent the wheelchair from coming off. The opposing side edges in the width direction are connected together by a tape-like hinge material so that the ramp can be folded and unfolded, and end members are attached to both longitudinal ends of the ramp, each of which has a cross-sectional shape whose height gradually decreases towards the front.

[0005] The device shown in Patent Document 3 is a portable ramp used to span steps between objects to enable a wheelchair to travel on it; this portable ramp is equipped with a board material of a width large enough for the wheelchair to travel on, and is configured with an upper end (i.e., the end closer to the higher surface) and a lower end (i.e., the end closer to the lower surface) in the slope direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-162818 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-143260 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2016-67518 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the slope devices shown in these patent documents, an end member having a cross-sectional shape in which the height dimension gradually decreases toward the front is attached to the end portion close to the high surface. Therefore, when the end member is hooked onto the high surface and the slope device is placed between the high surface and the low surface, the presence of the end member forms a bank-like portion that protrudes upward from the high surface near the end portion of the high surface over the entire width of the slope device in the passageway direction.

[0008] Therefore, when a wheelchair moves from a higher surface to a lower surface, the wheels of the wheelchair first climb up from the higher surface to the bank-like portion and move along its surface, then climb down from the bank-like portion onto the aisle surface of the slope device, move along this aisle surface to its lower end, and then move from the aisle surface to the lower surface.

[0009] In this case, when a wheelchair moves from the higher surface through the bank-like portion and through the passage surface of the slope device to the lower surface, the bank-like portion first acts as an obstacle to the wheels of the wheelchair, hindering the smooth running and stable operation of the wheelchair. Meanwhile, after getting over the bank-like portion, the wheelchair tends to drop rapidly down the passage surface toward the lower surface, which results in hindering the running and maneuverability of the wheelchair and reducing its reliability when in use.

[0010] On the other hand, conversely, when a wheelchair is moved from the low surface side through the aisle surface of the slope device to the high surface side, first, when moving from the low surface F2 side to the aisle surface side of the slope device, the transition portion between the low surface and the end member of the slope device becomes a groove-like portion that drops downward, and since the wheels have a diameter large enough compared to the depth of the drop in this groove-like portion, the wheels move across this groove-like portion without touching it, so it does not become an obstacle to driving, and the transition from the low surface to the aisle surface is smooth.

[0011] However, when the wheels move from the aisle surface through the bank-like portion to the higher surface side, the bank-like portion becomes an obstacle to the wheels' movement, just as when transitioning from the higher surface side to the aisle surface side, and the mobility and maneuverability of the wheelchair are hindered.

[0012] In view of these facts, it is necessary to ensure the maneuverability and operability of the wheelchair and to ensure high reliability, both when moving from a higher surface to a lower surface and when moving from a lower surface to a higher surface; however, the reality is that no effective means of meeting this demand has yet been proposed.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention is intended to prevent the formation of a bank-like portion between the upper end of the slope device and the high surface when the slope device is installed between a high surface and a low surface, thereby ensuring high maneuverability and operability when a wheelchair is travelling using the slope device, and ultimately achieving high reliability when the wheelchair is in use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In the present invention, the following configuration is adopted as a specific means for solving the above problems.

[0015] In the first invention of the present application, a first slope and a second slope, which are long rectangular plate bodies with one surface serving as a passage surface, are arranged side by side with their long edges facing each other, and are connected in a freely bending manner by a hinge portion provided at the facing portion, and a deployed posture in which the first slope and the second slope are deployed to form the same plane, and a stored posture in which the first slope body and the second slope body are folded so that their passage surfaces face each other can be selected. In this deployed posture, a bridge is provided between the high level surface and the low level surface. In the slope device provided in the present invention, upper end hooking portions are provided at both ends of the first slope and the second slope in the slope arrangement direction, which hook and hold the ends of the slopes in a state where they are approximately matched to the height of the high-level surface just before the step of the high-level surface, while an intermediate support portion is provided at the end of the slope direction at the connection portion between the first slope and the second slope, which holds the end in a state where they are approximately matched to the height of the high-level surface just before the step of the high-level surface.

[0016] The second invention of the present application is characterized in that, in the portable slope device of the first invention, the upper end hanging portion is composed of a hanging body provided on the long side edge of the first slope body and the second slope body and extending forward from the front end thereof.

[0017] The third invention of the present application is characterized in that, in the portable slope device of the first invention, the intermediate support part is composed of a hanging material attached to one end part in the slope direction of the connecting part between the first slope body and the second slope body in a state extending forward from the one end part.

[0018] The fourth invention of the present application is characterized in that, in the portable slope device according to the first invention, the intermediate support portion is configured with a guide member coaxially provided at one end portion in the slope direction of the connecting portion of the first slope body and the second slope body, and a locking member inserted into and removed from the guide material, and is configured with a locking mechanism that restricts relative displacement of the first slope body and the second slope body in the plate thickness direction when the locking member is simultaneously inserted into each guide material.

[0019] The fifth invention of the present application is characterized in that a slope device is configured with a slope having a long rectangular planar shape and is installed across a high surface and a low surface, in which upper end hanging portions are provided at both ends of the slope in the width direction, which hang and hold the ends in a state where they are approximately aligned with the height of the high surface just before the step of the high surface. Effect of the Invention

[0020] The present inventions provide the following effects.

[0021] (a) First Invention of the Present Application In the portable slope device according to the first invention of the present application, upper end hooking portions are provided at both ends of the first slope and the second slope constituting the slope device in the slope parallel direction, which hook and hold the ends of the slopes in a state where the ends are approximately matched to the height of the high-level surface just before the step of the high-level surface, while an intermediate support portion is provided at the end of the slope direction at the connecting portion between the first slope and the second slope, which holds the ends in a state where the ends are approximately matched to the height of the high-level surface just before the step of the high-level surface. As a result, the end of the slope device on the high surface side is maintained at a height that approximately matches the high surface over its entire width, so that the high surface and the end of the slope device approximately match, and there is no bank-like portion at the boundary between the high surface and the end of the slope device, as is the case with conventional slope devices, and the passage between the high surface and the passage surface of the slope device is flattened, thereby dramatically improving the mobility and operability when using a wheelchair, and ultimately increasing reliability when using a wheelchair.

[0022] (b) The second invention of this application In the portable slope device of the second invention of the present application, the upper end hanging portion of the portable slope device of the first invention is configured as a hanging body extending forward from the front end of the long side edge of the first slope body and the second slope body, so that the effect described in (a) above can be obtained with a simpler and cheaper configuration.

[0023] (c) The third invention of this application In the portable slope device of the third invention of the present application, in the portable slope device of the first invention, the intermediate support part is constructed of a hanging material attached to one end of the connecting part of the first slope body and the second slope body in the slope direction in a state extending forward from said one end, and the hanging material is hooked and held on a high surface, so that the support effect of the intermediate support part can be reliably obtained with a simpler and cheaper configuration, and thus the effect described in (a) above is further promoted.

[0024] (c) The fourth invention of this application In the portable slope device according to the fourth invention of the present application, in the portable slope device according to the first invention, the intermediate support section is configured with a locking mechanism that includes guide members that are coaxially provided at one end portion in the slope direction of the connecting portion of the first slope body and the second slope body, and a locking member that is inserted and removed from the guide members, and that restricts relative displacement in the plate thickness direction of the first slope body and the second slope body when the locking members are simultaneously inserted into the guide members. Therefore, the height of the connecting portion of the first slope and the second slope can be maintained in a state that approximately matches the height of the high surface without the presence of any member on the high surface, and as a result, the effect described in (a) above is further promoted, and Since there are no upward protruding objects in the central part of the width direction of the passageway surface, for example, when a wheelchair is moved with the assistance of a caregiver, the caregiver can move the wheelchair safely without being hindered in walking, further improving reliability when using the wheelchair.

[0025] (c) The fifth aspect of the present invention In the fifth invention of the present application, in a slope device that is configured with a slope having a long rectangular planar shape and is installed across a high surface and a low surface, upper end hooking portions are provided at both widthwise ends of the slope, which hook and hold the ends in a state that approximately matches the height of the high surface just before the step of the high surface, so that the end of the slope on the high surface side is held at a height that approximately matches the high surface over its entire widthwise area, and as a result, the high surface and the end of the slope device approximately match, and no bank-like portion is created at the boundary between the high surface and the end of the slope device, as in conventional slope devices, and the passage between the high surface and the passage surface of the slope device is flattened, which significantly improves mobility and operability when using a wheelchair, and ultimately increases reliability when using a wheelchair. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of a portable slope device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the portable slope device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. [Diagram 5] 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a view taken along the arrow DD in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a view taken along the arrows E-E in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an overall perspective view of a portable slope device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view taken along the arrows G and G in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the portable slope device shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 . [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 12 is a view taken along the arrow JJ in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 12 is a view taken along the arrow KK in FIG. [Figure 16] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line L-L in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is an overall perspective view of a portable slope device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] "First embodiment"

[0028] 1 to 3 show a slope device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This slope device 1 comprises a first slope 2 and a second slope 3, either one of the front and back surfaces of which is made of a plate material of a predetermined thickness having a rectangular planar shape, and which has been treated for abrasion resistance, for example, by resin coating. The surfaces of the first slope 2 and the second slope 3 that have been treated for abrasion resistance are each used as a passage surface 13.

[0029] The first slope 2 and the second slope 3 are arranged side by side with one long edge 2b of a pair of long edges 2a, 2b of the first slope 2 and one long edge 3a of a pair of long edges 3a, 3b of the second slope 3 closely facing each other, and these arranged portions are connected and integrated by a hinge portion 5 so as to be freely unfolded (i.e., opened so that the first slope 2 and the second slope 3 form approximately the same surface) and stored (i.e., folded in half and facing each other on both surfaces).

[0030] Furthermore, a rail body 6, which has a mountain-shaped cross section and functions as a stopper for wheelchair wheels (not shown), extends along the entire length of the long edge 2a of the first slope 2, with one end extending outward a predetermined distance from the front end 2c of the first slope 2, and this extended portion 6a serves as a hook body 8 that is hooked onto the high surface F1. An anti-slip material 14 is provided on the underside of this hook body 8.

[0031] Similarly, a rail body 7, which has a mountain-shaped cross section and functions as a stopper for the wheels (not shown) of a wheelchair, extends along the entire length of the other long side edge 3b of the second slope 3, with one end extending outward a predetermined distance from the front end 3c of the second slope 3, and this extension 7a serves as a hook body 9 that is hooked onto the high surface F1. An anti-slip material 14 is provided on the underside of this hook body 8.

[0032] The hanging body 8 on the first slope 2 side and the hanging body 9 on the second slope 3 side constitute the "upper end hanging portion 24" referred to in the claims.

[0033] 1, 3 and 8, a hook 10 having an L-shaped cross section is attached to a portion of the front end 2c of the first slope 2 near the hinge portion 5 and to a portion of the front end 3c of the second slope 3 near the hinge portion 5, with the height of one side of the hook 10 approximately matching the passage surface 1 of each of the slopes 2, 3 and extending forward from the ends 2c, 3c. The hook 10 provided on each of the slopes 2, 3 constitutes an intermediate support portion 25 in the claims.

[0034] As shown in an enlarged view in Fig. 13, by appropriately adjusting the angle of the hooking portion 10a of the hook body 10, the abutting state of the hooking portion 10a with the high surface F1 can be adjusted. That is, the angle is adjusted between the angle (10a') shown by the chain line in the figure and the angle (10) shown by the solid line. This angle adjustment improves the hooking property of the slope device 1 with respect to the high surface F1.

[0035] On the other hand, short slope-shaped end members 12, 12 are attached to rear ends 2d, 3d of the slopes 2, 3, respectively.

[0036] The slope device 1 constructed as above is disposed in the step portion between the high surface F1 and the low surface F2 with the hooks 8, 9 and the hooks 10, 10 hooked from above to the edge portion F1a of the high surface F1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In the state where the slope device 1 is installed on the high surface F1 and the low surface F2, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8, the height of the passage surface 13 is maintained in a state where it substantially matches the height of the upper surface of the high surface F1 by the hooks 8, 9 (i.e., the upper end hook portion 24) provided in the width direction outer portions of the first slope 2 and the second slope 3 of the slope device 1.

[0037] In addition, at the connection portion between the first slope 2 and the second slope 3, the hooks 10, 10 are hooked onto the surface of the high level surface F1, so that the height of the passage surface of each of the slopes 2, 3 is maintained in a state where it approximately matches the height of the high level surface F1. As a result, the front end portion of the slope device 1 approximately matches the height of the high level surface F1 over the entire width direction. Therefore, since there is no obstacle such as a bank-like portion at the boundary (transition portion) between the high level surface F1 and the slope device 1 as in the conventional case, when the wheelchair is moved between the high level surface F1 and the low level surface F2 via the passage surface 13 of the slope device 1, the wheelchair can be moved while ensuring high running and operability, and high reliability is ensured when the wheelchair is used.

[0038] Second Embodiment FIG. 9 shows a slope device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of this slope device 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the only difference is the configuration of the intermediate support portion 25. Therefore, only the configuration of the intermediate support portion 25 will be described in detail here, and the relevant explanation of the first embodiment will be used for the configurations of the other parts, and the explanation will be omitted here. Also, taking such reference into consideration, the reference symbols of the members according to the first embodiment are used as much as possible in each drawing of this second embodiment.

[0039] In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the intermediate support portion 25 is made up of a guide member 17 and a lock member 18, which will be described next.

[0040] 9, 11 and 13, the guide materials 17 are arranged coaxially in the width direction of the slopes 2, 3 at the front end 2c of the first slope 2 and the front end 3c of the second slope 3, which are located on both sides of the hinge portion 5 of the slope device 1. Therefore, when the slope device 1 is in the stored state, the guide materials 17 are held separately on the first slope 2 side and the second slope 3 side, which are in a bent state.

[0041] On the other hand, the locking material 18 is inserted across both the guide material 17 on the first slope 2 side of the slope device 1 in the unfolded state and the guide material 17 on the second slope 3 side, thereby maintaining the coaxial arrangement of the guide materials 17, 17, thereby maintaining the unfolded state of the first slope 2 and the second slope 3, in other words, restricting the sagging of the connecting portion.

[0042] 9, 11 and 13, the locking member 18 has a length such that its tip reaches the middle position of the guide member 17 on the front side in the insertion direction (the guide member 17 on the side of the slope 2 of the first slope device in this embodiment) when inserted from the end of the guide member 17 on the front side in the insertion direction (the guide member 17 on the side of the slope 2 of the first slope device in this embodiment), and is provided with a handle portion 19 on its base end side (i.e., on the front side in the insertion direction) for pressing the hook body 8 and for rotating it. Furthermore, a bending portion 20 is provided at an appropriate position in the axial direction of the guide member 17 (specifically, a portion located further forward than the front end of the guide member 17 on the front side when the tip of the locking member 18 is completely removed from the guide member 17 on the front side in the insertion direction and pulled out into the guide member 17 on the front side) to allow the locking member 18 to be bent.

[0043] Therefore, with the first slope 2 and second slope 3 of the slope device 1 deployed, the locking material 18 is inserted from the guide material 17 on the second slope 3 side into the guide material 17 on the first slope 2 side, and the first slope 2 and second slope 3 are maintained in the deployed state by the engagement force between the locking material 18 and the guide materials 17, 17.

[0044] The slope device 1 thus deployed is installed between the high level surface F1 and the low level surface F2, and the pair of left and right hooks 8, 9 are both hooked to the high level surface F1. In this installed state, the heights of the end 2c of the first slope 2 and the end 3c of the second slope 3 of the slope device 1 are approximately equal to the height of the high level surface F1. As a result, since there is no obstacle such as a bank-like portion at the boundary (transition) between the high level surface F1 and the slope device 1 as in the conventional case, when a wheelchair is moved between the high level surface F1 and the low level surface F2 via the passage surface 13 of the slope device 1, the wheelchair can be moved while ensuring high running and operability, and high reliability is ensured when the wheelchair is used.

[0045] Furthermore, since the intermediate support portion 25 is composed of a pair of left and right guide members 17, 17 and a lock member 18 inserted therein, the height of the connecting portion of the first slope 2 and the second slope 3 can be maintained in a state where it approximately matches the height of the high surface F1 without any member being present on the high surface F1. As a result, since there is no upward protrusion in the central portion of the width direction of the passage surface of the slope device 1, for example, when a wheelchair is traveled with the assistance of a caregiver, the caregiver can move the wheelchair safely without being hindered from walking, and reliability when using the wheelchair is further improved.

[0046] On the other hand, when the first slope 2 and the second slope 3 are released from the deployed state and put into the stored state, the handle portion 19 is first grasped and the locking material 18 is pulled toward the front side until its tip is released from the guide material 17 on the first slope 2 side and positioned on the guide material 17 side on the second slope 3 side. At this point, the bending portion 20 is positioned on the outside near the guide material 17 on the front side, so the locking material 18 is bent at the bending portion 20 and further rotated to be aligned with the side surface of the second slope 3. Then, this bent portion is fixed and held on the second slope 3 side by an appropriate fixing mechanism (not shown). Thereafter, the first slope 2 and the second slope 3 of the slope device 1 are folded to be put into the stored position.

[0047] "Third embodiment" 17 shows a slope device 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This slope device 1 is an integrated type slope device 1 that does not have a folding structure, but its basic configuration is the same as that of the slope device 1 of the first embodiment, which is configured with a first slope 2 and a second slope 3 that can be deployed and stored.

[0048] That is, this slope device 1 is configured with a wide slope 4, and rail bodies 6, 7 for stopping wheels are attached to the long edge portions 4a, 4b of the left and right sides of the slope 4, respectively, and each of the rail bodies 6, 7 is extended further forward from the front end 4c of the slope 4, and these extended portions serve as hanging bodies 8, 9 (corresponding to the upper end hanging portion 24 in the claims).

[0049] Therefore, this slope device 1 is installed between the high level surface F1 and the low level surface F2 with the above-mentioned hooks 8, 9 in a state of being hooked on the high level surface F1. In this installed state, the height of the passage surface 13 of the slope 4 is maintained in a state where it is approximately equal to the upper surface height of the above-mentioned high level surface F1, as in the case of each of the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, when a wheelchair passes between the above-mentioned high level surface F1 and the low level surface F2 via the passage surface 13 of the slope device 1, particularly when moving from the above-mentioned low level surface F2 to the passage surface 13 of the slope device 1, there is no obstacle to the wheelchair's travel at the boundary between the high level surface F1 and the passage surface 13, so that the safety of the wheelchair's travel is ensured.

[0050] In this embodiment, since the distance between the hanging bodies 8 and 9 is wide, a reinforcing material 16 is installed horizontally at the front end 4c of the slope 4 of the slope device 1 to prevent the front end 4c from sagging.

[0051] Regarding the configuration of the parts other than those described above, the corresponding description of the slope device 1 of the first embodiment is used, and the description here will be omitted. [Industrial Applicability]

[0052] The portable slope device according to the present invention is widely used mainly in the field of nursing care. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Slope device 2. First slope body 3. Second slope body 4. Slope body 5 Hinge part 6 Rail body 7 Rail body 8 ·Holding body 9 ·Holding body 10 ·Holding body 11 ·Connection part 12 · End member 13 ·Aisle surface 14 Anti-slip material 15 Anti-slip material 16 ··Pivot pin 17 Guide material 18. Locking material 19 Handle 20 ···Bending part 24 · Upper end latching part 25 · Intermediate support part F1 ···High plane F2 ...lower surface

Claims

1. A first slope and a second slope, each being a long rectangular plate body with one surface serving as a passageway surface, are arranged side by side with their long edges facing each other and are foldably connected by a hinge portion provided at the opposing portion, and the slope device can select an expanded position in which the first slope and the second slope are expanded to form the same plane, and a stored position in which the first slope body and the second slope body are folded with their passageways facing each other, and in this expanded position, the slope device is installed across a high surface and a low surface, Upper end hooking portions are provided at both ends of the first slope and the second slope in the slope parallel direction, and hook and hold the ends of the slopes in a state where the ends are approximately aligned with the height of the high surface immediately before the step of the high surface, A portable slope device characterized in that an intermediate support portion is provided at the end portion in the slope direction at the connection portion between the first slope and the second slope, which holds the end portion in a position immediately before the step on the high surface, in a state approximately matching the height of the high surface.

2. In claim 1, A portable slope device characterized in that the upper end hook portion is composed of a hook body provided on the long side edge of the first slope body and the second slope body in a state of extending forward from the front end thereof.

3. In claim 1, A portable slope device characterized in that the intermediate support portion is composed of a hanging material attached to one end portion of the connection portion between the first slope body and the second slope body in the slope direction and extending forward from said one end portion.

4. In claim 1, a locking mechanism configured to restrict relative displacement of the first slope body and the second slope body in the thickness direction when the locking member is inserted into each of the guide members simultaneously, the locking member being arranged coaxially on one end of the connecting portion between the first slope body and the second slope body in the slope direction;

5. A slope device comprising a slope having a rectangular planar shape and installed across a high level surface and a low level surface, A portable slope device characterized in that upper end hooking portions are provided at both widthwise ends of the slope, which hook and hold the ends in a state approximately equal to the height of the high surface just before the step of the high surface.

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