Foot pedal type wheelchair and pedal thereof

Abstract

To provide a foot pedal type wheelchair and a pedal thereof capable of improving drive efficiency by a foot pedal action of an occupant.SOLUTION: A foot pedal type wheelchair and its pedals 10, 30 are driven with the use of rotation to be generated by a foot pedal action of an occupant. The pedals 10, 30 respectively include: a pedal bodies 11, 31 on which the occupant puts his / her one foot; and a pedal shaft 20 extending from the pedal bodies 11, 31 toward a crank 3 in order to rotatably attach the pedals 10, 30 to the crank 3. A central axis 2 of the rotation is positioned on a front side of a travel direction with respect to a seat 1 on which the occupant sits. The pedal bodies 11, 31 respectively include: toe side parts 12, 32 positioned on a toe side in a foot length direction; and heel side parts 13, 33 positioned on a heel side in the foot length direction. The pedal shaft 20 is respectively arranged in the toe side parts 12, 32 of the pedal bodies 11, 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedaling-type wheelchair configured to be driven by a passenger's pedaling motion and a pedal thereof.

Background Art

[0002] A typical wheelchair is configured to be driven by a passenger directly rotating the wheels using their hands. Wheelchair users are mainly disabled people with impaired legs. Among such wheelchair users, there are also those who can perform a pedaling motion.

[0003] Therefore, for those who can perform a pedaling motion, a pedaling-type wheelchair as shown in Patent Document 1 may be used for purposes such as suppressing the decline of leg motor function and rehabilitation. The pedaling-type wheelchair is driven by the passenger's pedaling motion.

[0004] The pedaling-type wheelchair has a crank extending from the central axis of rotation generated by the passenger's pedaling motion and a pedal attached to the longitudinal tip portion of the crank. The pedal is configured to be able to place one foot of the passenger, and the longitudinal central portion of the pedal corresponding to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the foot (hereinafter, referred to as the "foot longitudinal direction" as necessary) is pivotally attached to the tip portion of the crank.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the above-described rowing-type wheelchair, in order to cause rotation around the central axis to drive it, force is transmitted from the central part of the foot to the tip part of the crank. However, when considering the movement of the rider's thighs, knees, ankles, the shape of the soles of the feet, etc., it has become difficult to transmit force strongly and smoothly from the central part of the foot to the tip part of the crank in order to cause rotation around the central axis to drive the rowing-type wheelchair. Further, in a conventional rowing-type wheelchair, since force is transmitted from the central part of the foot to the tip part of the crank, there is no need to apply force to the muscles so that the toes of the foot do not bend, and thus there has been a problem that it does not contribute to the rehabilitation of the foot muscles.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rowing-type wheelchair and its pedal capable of improving the driving efficiency by the rider's rowing motion. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rowing-type wheelchair and its pedal that contribute to the rehabilitation of the foot muscles by rowing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows. (1) In a rowing-type wheelchair configured to be driven by utilizing the rotation generated by the rider's rowing motion, a pedal that is attached to the longitudinal tip part of a crank extending from the central axis of the rotation and is used for the rowing motion, a pedal body configured to be able to place one foot of the rider thereon, and a pedal shaft extending from the pedal body toward the crank to enable the pedal to be pivotally attached to the crank. The central axis is located in front of the seat for seating the rider in the traveling direction of the rowing-type wheelchair, the pedal body has a toe-side part located on the toe side in the foot length direction and a heel-side part located on the heel side in the foot length direction, and the pedal shaft is arranged at the toe-side part of the pedal body. A pedal for a rowing-type wheelchair. (2) The pedal of the foot trough type wheelchair according to (1) above, wherein the pedal shaft is arranged so as to correspond to the base of the toes of the foot in the foot length direction. (3) The pedal shaft has a tip portion located on one side in the longitudinal direction thereof and configured to be attachable to the crank, and a root portion located on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the pedal shaft and configured to be attachable to the pedal body. The toe side portion has a plurality of mounting holes formed so as to allow insertion of the root portion of the pedal shaft to make the pedal shaft detachable from the pedal body. The pedal of the foot trough type wheelchair according to (1) above, wherein the plurality of mounting holes are arranged in the foot length direction at the toe side portion. (4) The toe side portion and the heel side portion are configured as separate bodies. The pedal of the foot trough type wheelchair according to (1) above, wherein the relative positions of the toe side portion and the heel side portion in the foot length direction are adjustable. (5) A foot trough type wheelchair configured to be driven by utilizing the rotation generated by the foot trough movement of the occupant, a seat for seating the occupant, a crank extending from the central axis of the rotation, and a pedal attached to the tip portion in the longitudinal direction of the crank and used for the foot trough movement. The central axis is located in front of the seat in the traveling direction of the foot trough type wheelchair. The pedal has a pedal body configured to allow one foot of the occupant to be placed thereon, and a pedal shaft extending from the pedal body toward the crank so as to be rotatably attachable to the crank. The pedal body has a toe side portion located on the toe side in the foot length direction and a heel side portion located on the heel side in the foot length direction. A foot trough type wheelchair, wherein the pedal shaft is arranged at the toe side portion of the pedal body.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the rowing wheelchair and its pedals of the present invention, the driving efficiency by the rowing motion of the passenger can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] The rowing wheelchair and its pedals according to each of the first and second embodiments will be described below.

[0012] In each embodiment, the front and rear are defined based on the traveling direction of the rowing wheelchair (hereinafter, simply referred to as "wheelchair" as necessary). Therefore, the front-rear direction corresponds to the traveling direction. In each embodiment, the upper and lower are defined based on the vertical direction. Therefore, the up-down direction corresponds to the vertical direction. In each embodiment, the direction orthogonal to such front-rear direction and up-down direction is the width direction.

[0013] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the direction of the pedal is defined with reference to the foot placed on the pedal. In each embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the foot is referred to as the foot length direction. In this case, one side of the foot length direction is the toe side, and the other side of the foot length direction is the heel side. In each embodiment, the thickness direction of the foot is referred to as the foot thickness direction. In this case, the dorsal side in the thickness direction is referred to as the top side, and the sole side in the thickness direction is referred to as the bottom side. In each embodiment, the width direction of the foot is referred to as the foot width direction. In this case, the thumb side in the foot width direction is referred to as the inner side, and the little finger side in the foot width direction is referred to as the outer side.

[0014] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a foot trough type wheelchair and its pedal 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. The foot trough type wheelchair and its pedal 10 according to this embodiment are generally configured as follows.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the foot trough type wheelchair is configured to be driven by using the rotation (indicated by the double-sided arrow R) generated by the foot trough movement of the passenger (not shown). The wheelchair has a seat 1 for seating the passenger. The wheelchair has a crank 3 extending from the central axis 2 of the above rotation. The central axis 2 is located in front of the seat 1 in the traveling direction of the wheelchair.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, such a wheelchair has a pedal 10 attached to the tip portion 3a in the longitudinal direction of the crank 3. The pedal 10 is adapted to be used for the foot trough movement of the passenger. In particular, the wheelchair has two pedals 10 configured to be substantially symmetric in its width direction.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pedal 10 has a pedal body 11 configured to be able to place one foot of the passenger. The pedal body 11 has a toe side portion 12 located on the toe side in the foot length direction. The pedal body 11 has a heel side portion 13 located on the heel side in the foot length direction.

[0018] Note that FIGS. 2 and 3 show a pedal 10 having a pedal body 11 configured to allow a rider to place their left foot thereon. It should be understood that the pedal having a pedal body configured to allow a rider to place their right foot thereon is substantially symmetric with the pedal 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in the foot width direction.

[0019] The pedal 10 has a pedal shaft 20 extending from the pedal body 11 toward the crank 3 so as to be rotatably attachable to the crank 3. The pedal shaft 20 is disposed at the toe side portion 12 of the pedal body 11.

[0020] Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rowing type wheelchair and its pedal 10 according to the present embodiment can be configured generally as follows. The pedal shaft 20 is disposed so as to correspond to the base of the toes in the foot length direction.

[0021] The pedal shaft 20 has a tip portion 21 located on one side in its longitudinal direction. The tip portion 21 is configured to be attachable to the crank 3. The pedal shaft 20 has a base portion 22 located on the other side in its longitudinal direction. The base portion 22 is configured to be attachable to the pedal body 11.

[0022] The toe side portion 12 has a plurality of mounting holes 12a formed to allow insertion of the base portion 22 of the pedal shaft 20 so that the pedal shaft 20 can be detachably attached to the pedal body 11. The plurality of mounting holes 12a are arranged in the foot length direction at the toe side portion 12.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rowing type wheelchair and its pedal 10 according to the present embodiment can be configured in detail as follows. In the pedal 10, the pedal shaft 20 is attached to the toe side portion 12 of the pedal body 11 with its tip portion 21 protruding from the inner edge portion in the foot width direction of the toe side portion 12.

[0024] In the pedal shaft 20, the tip portion 21 is formed thicker than the root portion 22. The pedal shaft 20 has a fastening portion 23 that protrudes from the root portion 22 in its longitudinal direction. The pedal 10 also has a fastened member 24 configured to be fastened to the fastening portion 23 of the pedal shaft 20.

[0025] In the pedal shaft 20, the root portion 22 is formed thicker than the fastening portion 23. The fastening portion 23 of the pedal shaft 20 can be formed in a male screw shape. The fastened member 24 can be formed to have a female screw hole. The fastened member 24 can be formed to be fastened to the fastening portion 23.

[0026] Three or more mounting holes 12a can be formed in the toe side portion 12. In FIG. 3, as an example, six mounting holes 12a are formed in the toe side portion 12. However, the number of mounting holes is not limited to this.

[0027] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, each mounting hole 12a extends in the foot width direction. Each mounting hole 12a penetrates the toe side portion 12 in the foot width direction. Each mounting hole 12a has an inner portion 12b that extends outward from the inner edge portion of the toe side portion 12 in the foot width direction. Each mounting hole 12a has an outer portion 12c that extends inward from the outer edge portion of the toe side portion 12 in the foot width direction. Each mounting hole 12a has an intermediate portion 12d that extends between the inner portion 12b and the outer portion 12c in the foot width direction.

[0028] In each mounting hole 12a, the cross sections of the inner portion 12b and the outer portion 12c are formed larger than the cross section of the intermediate portion 12d. The inner portion 12b is formed so as to be able to insert the root portion 22 of the pedal shaft 20. The outer portion 12c is formed so as to be able to insert the fastened member 24. The intermediate portion 12d is formed so as to be able to insert the fastening portion 23 of the pedal shaft 20.

[0029] The pedal shaft 20 is attached to the toe side portion 12 of the pedal body 11 with its root portion 22 inserted into any one of the plurality of mounting holes 12a. Specifically, the pedal shaft 20 has its root portion 22 inserted into the inner portion 12b of one of the plurality of mounting holes 12a, its fastening portion 23 inserted into the middle portion 12d of one of the mounting holes 12a, and its fastening portion 23 fastened to a fastened member 24 inserted into the outer portion 12c of one of the mounting holes 12a, and is attached to the toe side portion 12 of the pedal body 11.

[0030] Furthermore, the pedal body 11 has a connecting portion 14 located between the toe side portion 12 and the heel side portion 13 in the foot length direction. The connecting portion 14 connects the toe side portion 12 and the heel side portion 13. The length of the toe side portion 12 in the foot length direction is greater than the lengths of the heel side portion 13 and the connecting portion 14 in the foot length direction. The length of the heel side portion 13 in the foot length direction is greater than the length of the connecting portion 14 in the foot length direction. The length (i.e., thickness) of the toe side portion 12 in the foot thickness direction is greater than the lengths (i.e., thicknesses) of the heel side portion 13 and the connecting portion 14 in the foot thickness direction.

[0031] The pedal body 11 has two toe side buckles 15 protruding in the foot width direction from both edge portions of the toe side portion 12 in the foot width direction. Each toe side buckle 15 extends along the foot length direction. Each toe side buckle 15 has a slit 15a formed to penetrate the toe side buckle 15 in the foot thickness direction. The slit 15a extends along the foot length direction. Each toe side buckle 15 is located above the plurality of mounting holes 12a in the foot thickness direction.

[0032] The pedal body 11 has two heel side buckles 16 protruding from both edge portions of the heel side portion 13 in the foot width direction toward the bottom side in the foot thickness direction. Each heel side buckle 16 extends along the foot length direction. Each heel side buckle 16 has a slit 16a formed to penetrate the heel side buckle 16 in the foot width direction. The slit 16a extends in a direction inclined at an acute angle with respect to the foot length direction. Note that the slit can also extend along the foot length direction.

[0033] Each toe-side buckle 15 is configured to be attached with a toe-side belt (not shown) used for fixing the toe-side part (not shown) of the rider's foot inserted into its slit 15a. Each heel-side buckle 16 is configured to be attached with a heel-side belt (not shown) used for fixing the heel-side part of the rider's foot inserted into its slit 16a.

[0034] The pedal body 11 has a heel rib 17 that protrudes from the heel-side end in the foot length direction of the heel-side part 13 toward the top side in the foot thickness direction. The heel rib 17 is formed to curve along the heel when viewed in the foot thickness direction.

[0035] As described above, the pedal 10 of the foot trough type wheelchair according to the present embodiment includes a pedal body 11 configured to support one foot of the rider, and a pedal shaft 20 extending from the pedal body 11 toward the crank 3 so that the pedal 10 can be pivotally attached to the crank 3. The central axis 2 is located in front of the seat 1 for seating the rider in the traveling direction of the foot trough type wheelchair. The pedal body 11 has a toe-side part 12 located on the toe side in the foot length direction and a heel-side part 13 located on the heel side in the foot length direction. The pedal shaft 20 is disposed at the toe-side part 12 of the pedal body 11. And the foot trough type wheelchair according to the present embodiment is configured to have such a pedal 10.

[0036] Here, in the foot trough movement of the rider, while the relative positions of the thigh, shin, and foot are adjusted by bending the knee and ankle, the force generated by the up-and-down movement of the thigh and the bracing movement of the shin is transmitted to the pedal via the foot. At this time, considering the bending movements of the knee and ankle, the principle of the lever, the shape of the sole of the foot, etc., it is efficient from the viewpoints of bringing about smooth movement of the leg and foot and generating a strong force to transmit the force from the toe-side part of the foot away from the ankle to the tip of the crank via the pedal.

[0037] In contrast, in the above-mentioned foot-propelled wheelchair and its pedal 10, the toe-side portion 12 of the pedal body 11 corresponding to such a toe-side portion of the foot is attached to the tip portion 3a of the crank 3 via the pedal shaft 20 so as to be rotatable. Therefore, while adjusting the relative positions of the thigh, shin, and foot by bending the knee and ankle, the force generated by the up-and-down movement of the thigh and the bracing movement of the shin can be strongly and smoothly transmitted from the toe-side portion of the foot to the tip portion 3a of the crank 3. As a result, rotation around the central axis 2 can be efficiently generated so as to drive the foot-propelled wheelchair. Thus, the driving efficiency due to the foot-propelling operation of the passenger can be improved.

[0038] In the foot-propelled wheelchair and its pedal 10 according to the present embodiment, the pedal shaft 20 is arranged so as to correspond to the base of the toes in the foot length direction.

[0039] Here, considering the shape of the sole of the foot, the base of the toes is in a form that easily transmits force due to its hardness, the protrusion of its sesamoid bone, etc. In contrast, in the above-mentioned pedal 10, the pedal body 11 is attached to the tip portion 3a of the crank 3 via the pedal shaft 20 arranged so as to correspond to such a base of the toes. Therefore, the force due to the up-and-down movement of the thigh and the force generated from the shin can be strongly and smoothly transmitted from the base of the toes to the tip portion 3a of the crank 3. As a result, rotation around the central axis 2 can be efficiently generated so as to drive the foot-propelled wheelchair.

[0040] In the foot-propelled wheelchair and its pedal 10 according to the present embodiment, the pedal shaft 20 has a tip portion 21 located on one side in the longitudinal direction thereof and configured to be attachable to the crank 3, and a base portion 22 located on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the pedal shaft 20 and configured to be attachable to the pedal body 11. The toe-side portion 12 has a plurality of mounting holes 12a formed so as to allow insertion of the base portion 22 of the pedal shaft 20 to make the pedal shaft 20 detachable from the pedal body 11, and the plurality of mounting holes 12a are arranged in the foot length direction at the toe-side portion 12.

[0041] According to such a foot-propelled wheelchair and its pedal 10, regardless of the size of the rider's feet, the tip-side part of the foot can be arranged to correspond to the tip part 3a of the crank 3. For example, when the rider is a child, the pedal shaft 20 can be installed closer to the heel in the foot length direction so that the tip-side part of the foot corresponds to the tip part 3a of the crank 3. For example, when the rider is a large-sized adult, the pedal shaft 20 can be installed closer to the toe in the foot length direction so that the tip-side part of the foot corresponds to the tip part 3a of the crank 3.

[0042] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, a foot-propelled wheelchair and its pedal 30 according to the second embodiment will be described. The foot-propelled wheelchair according to the second embodiment is configured in the same manner as the foot-propelled wheelchair according to the first embodiment, except that it has a pedal 30 described below instead of the pedal 10 according to the first embodiment. The pedal 30 according to such an embodiment is generally configured as follows.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the pedal 30 according to this embodiment is attached to the tip part 3a in the longitudinal direction of the crank 3. The pedal 30 is also adapted to be used for the rider's foot-propelling motion.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pedal 30 has a pedal body 31 configured to support one foot of the rider. The pedal body 31 has a tip-side part 32 located on the toe side in the foot length direction. The pedal body 31 has a heel-side part 33 located on the heel side in the foot length direction.

[0045] Note that FIGS. 4 and 5 show a pedal 30 having a pedal body 31 configured to support the left foot of the rider. It should be understood that a pedal having a pedal body configured to support the right foot of the rider is substantially symmetric with the pedal 30 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in the foot width direction.

[0046] The pedal 30 has a pedal shaft 20 similar to that of the first embodiment. The pedal shaft 20 extends from the pedal body 31 toward the crank 3 so that the pedal 30 can be rotatably attached to the crank 3. The pedal shaft 20 is disposed at the toe-side portion 32 of the pedal body 31.

[0047] Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the pedal 30 according to the present embodiment can be configured generally as follows. The pedal shaft 20 is disposed so as to correspond to the base of the toes in the toe length direction.

[0048] Also, the pedal 30 is configured such that the toe-side portion 32 and the heel-side portion 33 are separate bodies. And the pedal 30 is configured such that the relative positions of the toe-side portion 32 and the heel-side portion 33 can be adjusted in the toe length direction.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the footrest-type wheelchair and its pedal 30 according to the present embodiment can be configured in detail as follows. In the pedal 30, the toe-side portion 32 of the pedal body 31 has a mounting hole 32a formed so as to be able to insert the base portion 22 of the pedal shaft 20 to make the pedal shaft 20 detachable from the pedal body 31.

[0050] In the toe-side portion 32, each mounting hole 32a extends in the foot width direction. Each mounting hole 32a penetrates the toe-side portion 32 in the foot width direction. Each mounting hole 32a has an inner portion 32b extending outward from the inner edge portion of the toe-side portion 32 in the foot width direction. Each mounting hole 32a has an outer portion 32c extending inward from the outer edge portion of the toe-side portion 32 in the foot width direction. Each mounting hole 32a has an intermediate portion 32d extending between the inner portion 32b and the outer portion 32c in the foot width direction.

[0051] In each mounting hole 32a, the cross sections of the inner portion 32b and the outer portion 32c are formed to be larger than the cross section of the intermediate portion 32d. The inner portion 32b is formed so as to be able to insert the root portion 22 of the pedal shaft 20. The outer portion 32c is formed so as to be able to insert the fastened member 24. The intermediate portion 32d is formed so as to be able to insert the fastening portion 23 of the pedal shaft 20.

[0052] The pedal shaft 20 is attached to the toe-side portion 32 so as to insert the root portion 22 thereof into the mounting hole 32a. Specifically, the pedal shaft 20 inserts the root portion 22 into the inner portion 32b of the mounting hole 32a, inserts the fastening portion 23 into the intermediate portion 32d of the mounting hole 32a, and is attached to the toe-side portion 32 of the pedal body 31 in a state where the fastening portion 23 is fastened to the fastened member 24 inserted into the outer portion 32c of the mounting hole 32a.

[0053] Furthermore, the pedal body 31 has a connecting portion 34 that connects the toe-side portion 32 and the heel-side portion 33 in the foot length direction. The connecting portion 34 is formed so as to extend in the foot length direction. The connecting portion 34 can be formed in a substantially flat plate shape.

[0054] The connecting portion 34 is configured to be able to fix the toe-side region 34a in the foot length direction thereof to the toe-side portion 32. The connecting portion 34 is configured to be slidable in the foot length direction with respect to the heel-side portion 33 for the heel-side region 34b in the foot length direction of the connecting portion 34 so as to be able to adjust the relative position between the toe-side and heel-side portions 32, 33.

[0055] The connecting portion 34 is configured to be able to fix the heel-side region 34b of the connecting portion 34 to the heel-side portion 33 in a state where the relative position between the toe-side and heel-side portions 32, 33 is determined, that is, after the adjustment of the relative position. Details of the configuration for fixing the toe-side and heel-side regions 34a, 34b of the connecting portion 34 to the toe-side and heel-side portions 32, 33, respectively, will be described later.

[0056] The pedal body 31 has two toe-side buckles 35 that project in the foot-width direction from both edge portions in the foot-width direction of the toe-side portion 32. Each toe-side buckle 35 extends along the foot-length direction. Each toe-side buckle 35 has a slit 35a formed so as to penetrate the toe-side buckle 35 in the foot-thickness direction. The slit 35a extends along the foot-length direction. Each toe-side buckle 35 is located above the top in the foot-thickness direction with respect to the mounting hole 32a.

[0057] The pedal body 31 has two heel-side buckles 36 that project from both edge portions in the foot-width direction of the heel-side portion 33 to the bottom side in the foot-thickness direction. Each heel-side buckle 36 extends along the foot-length direction. Each heel-side buckle 36 has a slit 36a formed so as to penetrate the heel-side buckle 36 in the foot-width direction. The slit 36a extends along a direction inclined at an acute angle with respect to the foot-length direction. Note that the slit can also extend along the foot-length direction.

[0058] Each toe-side buckle 35 is configured to be attached with a toe-side belt (not shown) used for fixing the toe-side part of the rider's foot inserted into its slit 35a. Each heel-side buckle 36 is configured to be attached with a heel-side belt (not shown) used for fixing the heel-side part of the rider's foot inserted into its slit 36a.

[0059] The pedal body 31 has a heel rib 37 that projects from the heel-side end portion in the foot-length direction of the heel-side portion 33 to the top side in the foot-thickness direction. The heel rib 37 is formed so as to curve along the heel when viewed in the foot-thickness direction.

[0060] Here, the details of the configuration for fixing the toe-side and heel-side regions 34a and 34b of the connecting portion 34 to the toe-side and heel-side portions 32 and 33, respectively, will be described. The pedal 30 has a plurality of toe-side fastening members 38 used for fixing the toe-side region 34a of the connecting portion 34 to the toe-side portion 32. Each toe-side fastening member 38 has a head 38a and a fastening portion 38b that projects from the head 38a.

[0061] In the toe-side region 34a of the connecting portion 34, a plurality of fastening holes 34c each capable of being fastened to the fastening portions of the plurality of toe-side fastening members 38 are formed. The fastening portion 38b of each toe-side fastening member 38 can be formed in a male screw shape. Each fastening hole 34c in the toe-side region 34a of the connecting portion 34 can be a female screw hole.

[0062] The pedal 30 also has a plurality of heel-side fastening members 39 used to fix the heel-side region 34b of the connecting portion 34 to the heel-side portion 33. Each heel-side fastening member 39 has a head 39a and a fastening portion 39b protruding from the head 39a.

[0063] In the heel-side region 34b of the connecting portion 34, a plurality of fastening holes 34d each capable of being fastened to the fastening portions 39b of the plurality of heel-side fastening members 39 are formed. The fastening portion 39b of each heel-side fastening member 39 can be formed in a male screw shape. Each fastening hole 34d in the heel-side region 34b of the connecting portion 34 can be a female screw hole.

[0064] In the pedal body 31, a raised portion 32e that bulges toward the bottom side in the foot thickness direction is formed on the bottom side portion of the toe-side portion 32 in the foot thickness direction. The mounting hole 32a is formed so as to penetrate the raised portion 32e in the foot width direction. Further, an insertion hole 32f that penetrates the raised portion 32e in the foot length direction is formed in the raised portion 32e so that the toe-side region 34a of the connecting portion 34 can be inserted. The insertion hole 32f is located on the top side in the foot thickness direction with respect to the mounting hole 32a.

[0065] The toe-side portion 32 of the pedal body 31 has a plurality of through holes 32h drilled from the top surface portion 32g in the foot thickness direction toward the insertion hole 32f. The plurality of through holes 32h are configured to allow the fastening portions 38b of the plurality of toe-side fastening members 38 to be inserted. Each through hole 32h is formed to correspond to the fastening portion 38b of the toe-side fastening member 38 inserted therein.

[0066] At the peripheral portion of each through hole 32h, a taper 32i is provided so as to correspond to the shape of the head 38a of the toe-side fastening member 38 inserted therein. Note that a recess may be formed at the peripheral portion of each through hole so as to correspond to the shape of the head of the toe-side fastening member inserted therein.

[0067] The fastening portions 38b of the plurality of toe-side fastening members 38 are respectively fastened to the fastened holes 34c in the toe-side area 34a of the connecting portion 34 while being inserted into the plurality of through holes 32h. By such fastening, the toe-side portion 32 is fixed to the toe-side area 34a of the connecting portion 34.

[0068] In the pedal body 31, a raised portion 33a that bulges toward the bottom side in the foot thickness direction is formed at the bottom side portion of the heel-side portion 33 in the foot thickness direction. An insertion hole 33b is formed in the raised portion 33a so as to be bored in the foot length direction so that the heel-side area 34b of the connecting portion 34 can be inserted therein.

[0069] The heel-side portion 33 of the pedal body 31 has a plurality of slide long holes 33d bored from the top surface portion 33c in the foot thickness direction toward the insertion hole 33b. Each slide long hole 33d extends in the foot length direction. Each slide long hole 33d is formed so that its width corresponds to the fastening portion 39b of the heel-side fastening member 39 inserted therein.

[0070] At the peripheral portion of each slide long hole 33d, a taper 33e is provided so as to correspond to the shape of the head 39a of the heel-side fastening member 39 inserted therein. Note that a recess may be formed at the peripheral portion of each slide long hole so as to correspond to the shape of the head of the heel-side fastening member inserted therein. Also, the heel-side portion of the pedal body may have a plurality of through holes arranged in the foot length direction instead of the slide long holes.

[0071] The fastening portions 39b of the plurality of heel-side fastening members 39 are each fastened to the fastening holes 34d in the heel-side region 34b of the connecting portion 34 while being inserted into the plurality of slide elongated holes 33d. By such fastening, the heel-side portion 33 of the pedal body 31 is fixed to the heel-side region 34b of the connecting portion 34.

[0072] As described above, the footrest type wheelchair and its pedal 30 according to the present embodiment can bring about the same actions and effects as the footrest type wheelchair and its pedal 10 according to the first embodiment, except for the actions and effects based on the plurality of mounting holes 12a in the toe-side portion 12 of the pedal 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0073] Furthermore, in the footrest type wheelchair and its pedal 30 according to the present embodiment, the toe-side portion 32 and the heel-side portion 33 are configured as separate bodies, and the relative positions of the toe-side portion 32 and the heel-side portion 33 in the foot length direction are adjustable.

[0074] According to such a pedal 30, regardless of the size of the rider's foot, the toe-side part of the foot can be arranged to correspond to the tip part 3a of the crank 3. For example, when the rider is a child, the relative positions of the toe-side portion 32 and the heel-side portion 33 can be adjusted so that the pedal shaft 20 is arranged closer to the heel in the foot length direction in order to make the toe-side part of the foot correspond to the tip part 3a of the crank 3. For example, when the rider is a large-sized adult, the relative positions of the toe-side portion 32 and the heel-side portion 33 can be adjusted so that the pedal shaft 20 is arranged closer to the toe in the foot length direction in order to make the toe-side part of the foot correspond to the tip part 3a of the crank 3. As described above, in the pedal of the footrest type wheelchair and the footrest type wheelchair of the present invention, since a force is applied from the tip part of the user's foot to the tip part of the crank, the muscles are forced to row so that the tip part of the foot does not bend in the direction approaching the front surface of the lower limb. Thereby, rehabilitation of the foot muscles can be performed. In addition, regardless of the foot size, the tip of the foot can be adjusted so that a force can be applied to the tip of the crank to row, so rehabilitation of the foot muscles can be efficiently performed regardless of the foot size.

[0075] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention can be modified and changed based on its technical idea.

Explanation of Signs

[0076] 1...sheet, 2...central axis, 3...crank, 3a...tip portion 10...pedal, 11...pedal body, 12...toe side portion, 12a...mounting hole, 13...heel side portion 20...pedal shaft, 21...tip portion, 22...base portion 30...pedal, 31...pedal body, 32...toe side portion, 33...heel side portion

Claims

1. In a rowing-type wheelchair configured to be driven by using the rotation generated by the rowing motion of a passenger, a pedal attached to the longitudinal tip portion of a crank extending from the central axis of the rotation and used for the rowing motion, a pedal body configured to be able to support one foot of the passenger, and a pedal shaft extending from the pedal body toward the crank so that the pedal can be rotatably attached to the crank, wherein the central axis is located in front of the seat for seating the passenger in the traveling direction of the rowing-type wheelchair, the pedal body has a toe-side portion located on the toe side in the foot length direction and a heel-side portion located on the heel side in the foot length direction, and the pedal shaft is disposed at the toe-side portion of the pedal body, the pedal of the rowing-type wheelchair.

2. The pedal of the rowing-type wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the pedal shaft is disposed so as to correspond to the base of the toes of the foot in the foot length direction.

3. The pedal shaft has a tip portion located on one side in its longitudinal direction and configured to be attachable to the crank, and a base portion located on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the pedal shaft and configured to be attachable to the pedal body, the toe-side portion has a plurality of mounting holes formed so as to be able to insert the base portion of the pedal shaft to make the pedal shaft detachable from the pedal body, and the plurality of mounting holes are arranged in the foot length direction at the toe-side portion, the pedal of the rowing-type wheelchair according to claim 1.

4. The toe-side portion and the heel-side portion are configured as separate bodies, and the relative positions of the toe-side portion and the heel-side portion in the foot length direction are configured to be adjustable, the pedal of the rowing-type wheelchair according to claim 1.

5. A rowing-type wheelchair configured to be driven by using the rotation generated by the rowing motion of a passenger, a seat for seating the passenger, a crank extending from the central axis of the rotation, and a pedal attached to the longitudinal tip portion of the crank and used for the rowing motion, wherein the central axis is located in front of the seat in the traveling direction of the rowing-type wheelchair, The pedal includes a pedal body configured to allow one foot of the passenger to be placed thereon, and a pedal shaft extending from the pedal body toward the crank so that the pedal can be pivotally attached to the crank. The pedal body has a toe-side portion located on the toe side in the foot length direction and a heel-side portion located on the heel side in the foot length direction. The pedal shaft is disposed at the toe-side portion of the pedal body, and is a foot-propelled wheelchair.

Images