Gurney

Abstract

To provide a stretcher with wheels capable of reducing the force required for changing the advancing direction while carrying a person to be carried.SOLUTION: The stretcher 1 with wheels traveling on a traveling surface S with a person A to be carried lying thereon includes a bed 2 for laying the person A to be carried, a front wheel part 3 having a front wheel 31 and connected to the bed 2, a rear wheel part 5 having a rear wheel 51 and connected to the bed 2, and a middle wheel 41. And a middle ring part 4 positioned between the front wheel part 3 and the rear wheel part 5, wherein the bed 2 has a buttock area C which is an area supporting the buttock of the person A to be carried and a waist area D which is an area supporting the waist of the person A to be carried, and the middle ring part 4 is connected to the bed 2 in an area from the buttock area C to the waist area D of the bed 2. The traveling direction can be changed by turning the whole body around a turning axis R extending in the vertical direction at a position where the rear wheel 51 is arranged or a position on the rear side of the position where the rear wheel 51 is arranged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheeled stretcher for transporting a person. [Background technology]

[0002] Stretcher transport is used to move people who have difficulty walking on their own to their destination, and transport using stretchers is particularly important in emergencies such as disasters and sudden illness. In such emergencies, it is expected that the number of people who can transport the person on a stretcher will be limited, and it is possible that some of these people may have weak physical strength. Therefore, it is desirable for stretchers to be used in emergencies, etc., to be usable even by people with weak physical strength, i.e., to require little force to transport the person.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a rescue car for use in emergencies, characterized in that the lower ends of a pair of front and rear X-shaped links are pivotally attached to the bottom of left and right frames each equipped with a front wheel and a rear wheel, horizontal bars are attached to the upper ends of these X-shaped links and extend further forward and backward than the left and right frames, a sheet is stretched between these left and right horizontal bars, support parts for the horizontal bars are formed at the top of the left and right frames so that the left and right frames can be folded freely, and folding mechanisms are provided at the front and rear positions of the horizontal bars. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3183839 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The disaster rescue car of Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the front wheels are caster wheels and the rear wheels are fixed wheels, and the rear wheels act as a pivot point to rotate the entire vehicle and change direction. However, there is a problem in that the distance from the rear wheels to the front wheels is long, and the moment of force required to rotate the entire vehicle is large, i.e., a large amount of force is required to change direction.

[0006] The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a wheeled stretcher that can reduce the force required when changing the direction of travel with a person being carried on board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a wheeled stretcher that travels on a running surface with a person to be transported lying down on it, comprising: a bed for the person to be transported lying down on; a front wheel section having front wheels and connecting to the bed; a rear wheel section having rear wheels and connecting to the bed; and a middle wheel section having middle wheels, connecting to the bed and located between the front wheel section and the rear wheel section; the bed has a buttocks region that supports the buttocks of the person to be transported; and a lumbar region that supports the lower back of the person to be transported; the middle wheel section connects to the bed in a region extending from the buttocks region to the lumbar region of the bed; and the entire stretcher can be rotated around a rotation axis that extends vertically at the position where the rear wheels are located or at a position rearward of the position where the rear wheels are located, thereby allowing the direction of travel to be changed.

[0008] With this configuration, the distance from the pivot axis to the middle wheels is shorter than the distance from the pivot axis to the front wheels, and the middle wheels support the weight of the area from the buttocks to the lower back, which accounts for a large proportion of the weight exerted by the recumbent transported person. Therefore, the moment of force required to rotate the entire wheeled litter of the present invention around the pivot axis can be reduced, i.e., the force required to change the direction of travel of the wheeled litter can be reduced. This allows even transporters with weak arm strength to easily operate the wheeled litter of the present invention. Furthermore, the load on the transporter's arms can be reduced, allowing a single transporter to use the litter for extended periods of time, thereby enabling the transport of multiple people with fewer personnel. Note that the "position where the rear wheels are located" refers to the position where the rear wheels abut against the running surface. In the case of multiple rear wheels, this may include not only the positions where each rear wheel abuts against the running surface, but also positions between and on the extension of the positions where each rear wheel abuts against the running surface. This also applies to the terms "position where the front wheels are arranged" and "position where the middle wheels are arranged."

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the bed is located above the front wheels, the middle wheels, and the rear wheels, away from the running surface, and that the distance from the running surface to the bed at the position where the front wheels are positioned is shorter than the distance from the running surface to the bed at the position where the middle wheels are positioned.

[0010] With this configuration, the center of gravity of the wheeled stretcher of the present invention can be lowered, and the amount of deflection of the front wheels when changing direction of travel is reduced, thereby further reducing the force required when changing direction of travel.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the bed is located above the front wheels, the middle wheels, and the rear wheels, away from the running surface, and that the distance from the running surface to the bed at the position where the rear wheels are positioned is shorter than the distance from the running surface to the bed at the position where the middle wheels are positioned.

[0012] With this configuration, the center of gravity of the wheeled stretcher of the present invention can be lowered, and the amount of deflection of the rear wheels when changing direction of travel is reduced, thereby further reducing the force required when changing direction of travel.

[0013] The present invention preferably includes a handle for operation, and a grip portion of the handle is located above the bed.

[0014] With this configuration, the bed is positioned lower than the handles used by the carrier to operate it, so the center of gravity of the wheeled stretcher of the present invention can be lowered, and the amount of deflection of the front, middle and rear wheels when changing direction is reduced, thereby further reducing the force required when changing direction.

[0015] The present invention preferably includes a connecting member that connects the rear wheel portion and the middle wheel portion.

[0016] According to this configuration, the rigidity of the rear wheel portion and the middle wheel portion is increased, thereby improving stability during running.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the bed is divided into a first support section and a second support section along the short side of the bed, has a connecting section that connects the first support section and the second support section, is foldable at the connecting section, and is changeable between an unfolded state in which the person to be transported can lie on the bed, and a folded state in which the bed is folded.

[0018] According to this configuration, since the device can be put into the folded state, the space required for storage can be reduced compared to a device that cannot be folded.

[0019] The present invention preferably includes legs for allowing the device to stand on its own in the folded state.

[0020] According to this configuration, the folding device can stand on its own using the legs in the folded state, making it easy to store.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that the leg portion has a first leg member provided on the first support portion and a second leg member provided on the second support portion.

[0022] This configuration allows the device to stand on its own in a more stable state when folded.

[0023] Preferably, the present invention further comprises an auxiliary leg portion provided on the second support portion.

[0024] With this configuration, the auxiliary legs come into contact with the ground and become points that support the entire unit during the change from the unfolded state to the folded state, and from the folded state to the unfolded state, improving operability and making these changes easy to perform.

[0025] The present invention preferably includes a first handle provided on the first support portion and protruding to the side of the bed.

[0026] According to this configuration, by using the first handle, it is possible to easily change from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state. Furthermore, since the first handle protrudes to the side of the bed, it is easy to use the first handle even during the change from the unfolded state to the folded state and during the change from the folded state to the unfolded state.

[0027] Preferably, the present invention further comprises a second handle provided at the connecting portion and protruding laterally from the side of the bed.

[0028] According to this configuration, the unfolded state can be easily changed to the folded state by using the second handle. Furthermore, since the second handle protrudes to the side of the bed, the second handle can be easily used even during the change from the unfolded state to the folded state.

[0029] In the present invention, it is preferable that the middle wheel portion and the rear wheel portion are each foldably connected to the bed.

[0030] With this configuration, the middle and rear wheel sections can be folded relative to the bed, thereby reducing the space required for storage.

[0031] In the present invention, it is preferable that the rear wheel portion and the middle wheel portion are connected by a link mechanism.

[0032] According to this configuration, the rear wheel section and the middle wheel section are connected by a link mechanism and rotate integrally, which makes it easier to unfold and fold the rear wheel section and the middle wheel section. Furthermore, since the rigidity of the rear wheel section and the middle wheel section is increased, stability during driving can also be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0033] The wheeled litter of the present invention can reduce the force required to change direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a person to be transported lies on a wheeled stretcher in an unfolded state in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wheeled stretcher in an unfolded state in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state in which the first sheet and the second sheet have been removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a wheeled stretcher in an unfolded state in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wheeled stretcher in a folded state in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state in which the first sheet and the second sheet have been removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a wheeled stretcher in a folded state in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wheeled stretcher in an embodiment of the present invention with the handles folded from an unfolded state. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the operation of changing a wheeled stretcher from an unfolded state to a folded state in an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the unfolded state, (b) shows the state with the handle folded, (c) shows the state with the auxiliary leg part abutting the floor surface, (d) shows the state with the second leg member abutting the floor surface, (e) shows the state in which the bed is in the middle of being folded at the connecting part, (f) shows the state with the first leg member abutting the floor surface, and (g) shows the folded state. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the operation of changing a wheeled stretcher in an embodiment of the present invention from a folded state to an unfolded state, where (a) shows the folded state, (b) shows the state in which the bed 2 is being advanced with the second leg member in contact with the floor surface, (c) shows the state in which the second leg member and auxiliary leg part are in contact with the floor surface, (d) shows the state in which the auxiliary leg part, front wheel, and rear wheel are in contact with the floor surface, (e) shows the state in which the bed is extended, and (f) shows the unfolded state. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a wheeled stretcher in an unfolded state in a modified embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] A wheeled stretcher 1 (hereinafter referred to as the stretcher 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. As shown in Figure 1, the stretcher 1 comprises a bed 2 on which the person A to be transported lies, a front wheel section 3 having front wheels 31, a middle wheel section 4 having middle wheels 41, a rear wheel section 5 having rear wheels 51, a connecting member 6 (see Figure 3) connecting the middle wheel section 4 and the rear wheel section 5, a handle 7 used by the transporter B to control the travel of the stretcher, and a first handle 8 and a second handle 9 provided on the bed 2, and can be changed between an unfolded state (see Figures 1 to 4) in which the person A to be transported can be laid on the bed 2, and a folded state (see Figures 5 to 7) in which the bed 2 is folded up.

[0036] The unfolded litter 1 can move on the running surface S with the person to be transported A lying on the bed 2. The movement of the litter 1 is controlled by the carrier B holding the handle 7. The direction of the litter 1 can be changed by rotating the entire litter 1 around the rotation axis R, which extends vertically at the position where the rear wheels 51 are located. As shown in Figure 1, when the direction of the litter 1 is changed to the left as seen by the carrier B, the position of the rotation axis Rl is normally the position where the left rear wheel 51 is located as seen by the carrier B. Conversely, when the direction of the litter 1 is changed to the right as seen by the carrier B, the position of the rotation axis Rr is the position where the right rear wheel 51 is located as seen by the carrier B. Note that the carrier B may adjust the amount of force they apply to the handle 7 to rotate the entire litter 1 so that the rotation axis R is located between the pair of rear wheels 51. "The position where the rear wheel 51 is disposed" means the position where the rear wheel 51 contacts the running surface S, and if there are multiple rear wheels 51, it may include not only the positions where each rear wheel 51 contacts the running surface S, but also positions between the positions where each rear wheel 51 contacts the running surface S and positions on extensions of these positions. This also applies to the terms "the position where the front wheel 31 is disposed" and "the position where the middle wheel 41 is disposed."

[0037] The bed 2 allows the person A to lie down and has a buttocks area C that supports the buttocks of the person A, and a lumbar area D that supports the lumbar area of ​​the person A (see Figure 2).

[0038] The bed 2 is divided into a first support section 21 and a second support section 22 along the short-side direction X of the bed 2, and has a connecting section 23 that foldably connects the first support section 21 and the second support section 22, and legs 24 for allowing the bed 2 to stand on its own in the folded state. The legs 24 have a first leg member 24a provided on the first support section 21 and a second leg member 24b provided on the second support section 22 (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

[0039] The first support section 21 has a first frame 25 that constitutes an outer frame portion, and a first sheet 26 (see FIG. 2) stretched across the first frame 25. The first frame 25 is formed in a generally H-shape by first long members 2A, 2A, which are a pair of rod-shaped members arranged in parallel, and a first short member 2B, which is another rod-shaped member connecting the first long members 2A. In this embodiment, the buttocks region C and the waist region D are provided in the first support section 21 (see FIG. 2).

[0040] The second support section 22 has a second frame 27 that constitutes an outer frame portion and a second sheet 28 (see FIG. 2) stretched across the second frame 27. The second frame 27 is formed in a generally H-shape by second long members 2C, 2C, which are a pair of rod-shaped members arranged in parallel, and second short members 2D, which are rod-shaped members connecting the second long members 2C to each other. In this embodiment, the first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28 are formed from a single sheet, but this is not limiting. The first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28 may also be separate sheets.

[0041] The first longitudinal member 2A and the second longitudinal member 2C are rotatably connected to a connecting part 23 at one end 2Aa, 2Ca of each (see Fig. 3), whereby the first support part 21 and the second support part 22 of the bed 2 are foldably connected by the connecting part 23 (see Figs. 5 to 7). The connecting part 23 is provided with a limiting member 23a for limiting the extension of the bed 2 (see Figs. 4 and 7), which determines the degree of extension of the bed 2 when the litter 1 is in the unfolded state.

[0042] A first leg member 24a is provided at the other end 2Ab of the first longitudinal member 2A, and a second leg member 24b is provided at the other end 2Cb of the second longitudinal member 2C. When folded, the litter 1 stands on its own with the first leg member 24a and the second leg member 24b in contact with the floor surface F (see FIG. 7). This allows the litter 1 to stand on its own stably in the folded state, making it easy to store.

[0043] An auxiliary leg 29 extending downward from the second longitudinal member 2C is provided near the other end 2Cb of the second longitudinal member 2C. The auxiliary leg 29 contacts the floor F earlier than the second leg member 24b when the bed 2 of the litter 1 placed on the floor F is folded and changes from an unfolded state to a folded state. The length and arrangement of the auxiliary leg 29, the angle it forms with the second longitudinal member 2C, etc. are set appropriately according to the dimensions and shapes of the other members.

[0044] The front wheel section 3 has a pair of front wheels 31, 31 and a pair of front wheel connecting members 32, 32 (see FIG. 3), and is provided in a state where it extends below the second frame 27 in the unfolded state. The front wheels 31 in this embodiment are swivel casters from the viewpoint of reducing the force required when changing the direction of travel, but are not limited to this.

[0045] The pair of front wheel connecting members 32, 32 are members each having one end connected to the pair of front wheels 31, 31 and the other end connected to the second short member 2D of the second frame 27.

[0046] The middle wheel section 4 has a pair of middle wheels 41, 41, a pair of middle wheel connecting members 42, 42, and a middle wheel section beam member 43, and is provided in a state in which it extends below the first frame 25 in the unfolded state, and is foldable in a direction approaching the first frame 25. When the litter 1 is in the unfolded state, the middle wheel section 4 is locked to prevent it from being folded unintentionally.

[0047] The middle wheel section 4 is located between the front wheel section 3 and the rear wheel section 5 and connects to the bed 2 in the area from the buttocks region C to the lumbar region D. Therefore, the middle wheel section 4 supports the weight from the buttocks to the lumbar region, which accounts for a large proportion of the weight exerted by the recumbent transportee A. As shown in Figure 4, the distance D2 from the rear wheel 51 to the front wheel 31 is shorter than the distance D1 from the rear wheel 51 to the middle wheel 41. This reduces the moment of force, i.e., the required force, when the transporter B rotates the entire litter 1 around the rotation axis R, compared to a litter without the middle wheel section 4. This allows the transporter B to easily operate the litter 1 even if he or she has weak arm strength. Furthermore, the load on the transporter B's arms is reduced, allowing one transporter B to use the litter for a long period of time, making it possible to transport many people with fewer personnel.

[0048] The center wheel 41 in this embodiment is a swivel caster from the viewpoint of reducing the force required when changing the direction of travel, but is not limited to this.

[0049] The pair of middle wheel connecting members 42, 42 are members whose one end is connected to the pair of middle wheels 41, 41 and whose other end is rotatably connected to the first frame 25. As shown in FIG. 4, the length of the middle wheel connecting member 42 in this embodiment is set longer than the length of the front wheel connecting member 32. Therefore, the distance Df from the running surface S to the bed 2 at the position where the front wheels 31 are arranged is shorter than the distance Dm from the running surface S to the bed 2 at the position where the middle wheels 41 are arranged. In other words, the second support part 22 of the bed 2 is tilted downward and forward. This allows the center of gravity of the litter 1 to be lowered and the amount of deflection of the front wheel part 3, particularly the front wheel connecting member 32, when changing the direction of travel is reduced. As a result, the force required to change the direction of travel of the litter 1 can be reduced.

[0050] The middle wheel beam member 43 is a member that connects the pair of middle wheel connecting members 42, 42 together and improves the strength of the middle wheel portion 4. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, in this embodiment, when the litter 1 is in the folded state, the middle wheel portion 4 is in a folded state close to the first frame 25, and when the litter 1 is in the unfolded state, the middle wheel portion 4 is in a state that extends below the first frame 25 of the bed 2. From the viewpoint of reducing the force required when changing the direction of travel, the middle wheel 41 is preferably a swivel caster, but is not limited to this.

[0051] The rear wheel section 5 has a pair of rear wheels 51, 51, a pair of rear wheel connecting members 52, 52, and a rear wheel section beam member 53, and is provided in a state in which it extends below the first frame 25 in the unfolded state, and is foldable in a direction approaching the first frame 25. When the litter 1 is in the unfolded state, the rear wheel section 5 is locked to prevent it from being folded unintentionally.

[0052] In this embodiment, the rear wheels 51 are fixed casters, so the entire litter rotates around a rotation axis R that extends vertically at the position where the rear wheels 51 are located. When the traveling direction of the litter 1 is turned to the left as seen by the carrier B, the rotation axis Rl is located at the position where the left rear wheel 51 is located as seen by the carrier B, and conversely, when the traveling direction of the litter 1 is turned to the right as seen by the carrier B, the rotation axis Rr is located at the position where the right rear wheel 51 is located as seen by the carrier B.

[0053] The pair of rear wheel connecting members 52, 52 are members each having one end connected to a pair of rear wheels 51, 51 and the other end rotatably connected to the first frame 25. As shown in FIG. 4 , the length of the rear wheel connecting member 52 in this embodiment is set shorter than the length of the middle wheel connecting member 42. Therefore, the distance Dr from the running surface S to the bed 2 at the position where the rear wheels 51 are arranged is shorter than the distance Dm from the running surface S to the bed 2 at the position where the middle wheels 41 are arranged. In other words, the first support part 21 of the bed 2 is tilted downward and rearward. As a result, the tilted first support part 21 can lower the center of gravity of the litter 1, and the amount of deflection of the rear wheel parts 5, particularly the rear wheel connecting member 52, when changing direction of travel can be reduced. As a result, the force required when changing direction of travel can be further reduced.

[0054] The rear wheel section beam member 53 is a member that connects the pair of rear wheel connecting members 52, 52 to each other and improves the strength of the rear wheel section 5. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, in this embodiment, when the litter 1 is in the folded state, the rear wheel section 5 is in a folded state close to the first frame 25, and when the litter 1 is in the unfolded state, the rear wheel section 5 is in a state that extends below the first frame 25 of the bed 2.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the front wheel section 3 has a pair of front wheels 31 and front wheel connecting members 32, but this is not limited to this and the number of front wheels 31 and front wheel connecting members 32 may be one or three or more. As with the front wheel section 3, the number of middle wheels 41 and middle wheel connecting members 42 in the middle wheel section 4 and the number of rear wheels 51 and rear wheel connecting members 52 in the rear wheel section 5 may also be one or three or more, but it is preferable that the front wheels 31, middle wheels 41, and rear wheels 51 be configured to be able to stand on their own stably when in the unfolded state.

[0056] The connecting member 6 is a member that connects the middle wheel portion 4 and the rear wheel portion 5, and in this embodiment is a link mechanism L that connects the middle wheel portion beam member 43 and the rear wheel portion beam member 53. Connecting the middle wheel portion beam member 43 and the rear wheel portion beam member 53 with the connecting member 6 increases the rigidity of the middle wheel portion 4 and the rear wheel portion 5, improving stability during riding. Furthermore, the middle wheel portion 4 and the rear wheel portion 5 can be folded together.

[0057] The handle 7 is used by the carrier B to control the movement of the stretcher 1, and is a member that the carrier B grasps and operates. The handle 7 extends from the first longitudinal member 2A and has a roughly spherical grip portion 71 at its tip. The grip portion 71 is located above the bed 2 when the stretcher 1 is in the unfolded state. Therefore, the bed 2 is located lower than the handle 7, which lowers the center of gravity of the stretcher 1 and reduces the amount of deflection of the front wheels 3, middle wheels 4, and rear wheels 5 when changing the direction of travel, thereby reducing the force required to change the direction of travel.

[0058] The handle 7 of this embodiment is provided to be rotatable around the first longitudinal member 2A as the rotation center, and can be fixed in a direction perpendicular and parallel to the plane on which the first support part 21 is arranged. This makes it possible to fold the handle 7 so that it is positioned on the same plane as the plane on which the first support part 21 is arranged (see FIG. 8).

[0059] The first handle 8 is a substantially spherical member provided on the first longitudinal member 2A of the bed 2 and protruding to the side of the bed 2. The first handle 8 makes it easy to change the litter 1 from a folded state to an unfolded state and from the unfolded state to the folded state. Because the first handle 8 protrudes to the side of the bed 2, it is easy to grasp the first handle 8 even during the change from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state.

[0060] The second handles 9 are provided on a pair of connecting portions 23 of the bed 2 and are substantially spherical members that protrude to the sides of the bed 2. The second handles 9 make it easy to change the state of the stretcher 1 from the unfolded state to the folded state. Because the second handles 9 protrude to the sides of the bed 2, it is easy to grasp the second handles 9 even during the change from the unfolded state to the folded state.

[0061] Next, the operation for changing the stretcher 1 placed in an unfolded state on the floor surface F into a folded state will be described with reference to Figures 9(a) to 9(g). With the stretcher 1 in an unfolded state (Figure 9(a)), the handle 7 is rotated around the first longitudinal member 2A as the rotation center to fold the handle 7 (Figure 9(b)). Next, the first handle 8 is pulled upward using position P1, where the front wheels 31 of the front wheel unit 3 abut against the floor surface F, as a support, to lift the bed 2 upward. When the lifted bed 2 reaches a specific height, the auxiliary legs 29 abut against the floor surface F at position P2 (Figure 9(c)). The support point is switched from position P1 to position P2, and the first handle 8 is further pulled up, thereby lifting the bed 2 further upward. When the bed 2 is lifted upward and reaches a certain height, the second leg member 24b comes into contact with the floor surface F, and the second leg member 24b comes into contact with the floor surface F at position P3 (Fig. 9(d)). Next, by pulling down the first handle 8, the bed 2 is folded at the connecting portion 23 (Fig. 9(e)). At this time, as the bed 2 is folded, the middle wheel portion 4 and the rear wheel portion 5, which are connected by the link mechanism L, are automatically folded under their own weight. By further pulling down the first handle 8, the first leg member 24a comes into contact with the floor surface F at position P4 (Fig. 9(f)). Next, by pulling the second handle 9 backward, the entire bed 2 is rotated using position P4 as support, and the bed 2 is further folded, and then the second handle 9 is pushed forward, and the second leg member 24b comes into contact with the floor surface F at position P5, and the bed 2 is folded (Fig. 9(g)).

[0062] The operation for changing the litter 1 placed in a folded state on the floor surface F to the unfolded state will be described with reference to Figures 10(a) to 10(f). In the folded state, the litter 1 is in a self-supporting state with the first leg member 24a and the second leg member 24b abutting the floor surface F at positions P6 and P7, respectively (Figure 10(a)). When changing the litter 1 to the unfolded state, the first handle 8 of the folded litter 1 is grasped and the first leg member 24a is pulled rearward while being slightly lifted upward from the floor surface F, and the bed 2 is extended using position P7, where the second leg member 24b abuts the floor surface F, as support (Figure 10(b)). At this time, as the bed 2 extends, the middle wheel section 4 and the rear wheel section 5 connected by the link mechanism L also automatically unfold under their own weight. When the extension of the bed 2 reaches a certain extent, the auxiliary legs 29 come into contact with the floor surface F at position P8, and the support point for unfolding the bed 2 switches from position P7 to position P8 (Fig. 10(c)). At this time, the rear wheels 51 of the rear wheel unit 5, which are automatically unfolded due to their own weight, come into contact with the floor surface F. After that, the first handle 8 is pulled up diagonally rearward and upward on the litter 1 to further extend the bed 2. When the extension of the bed 2 reaches a certain extent, the front wheels 31 of the front wheel unit 3 come into contact with the floor surface F at position P9, and the support point for unfolding the bed 2 switches from position P8 to position P9 (Fig. 10(d)). By subsequently pulling up the first handle 8 diagonally rearward and upward on the litter 1, the bed 2 is fully extended (Fig. 10(e)). At this time, the middle wheel unit 4 and rear wheel unit 5 are also fully unfolded and locked to prevent unintentional folding. Thereafter, the handle 7 is rotated around the first longitudinal member 2A as the rotation center, and the handle 7 is extended above the bed 2, thereby putting the stretcher 1 into an unfolded state (FIG. 10(f)).

[0063] The transport of person A using stretcher 1 will now be described. When not in use, stretcher 1 is stored in a folded state, and when in use, stretcher 1 is changed from the folded state to the unfolded state using the above-mentioned operation. Person A is laid on bed 2 of the unfolded stretcher 1, and carrier B grasps grip portion 71 of handle 7 to operate stretcher 1, placing person A on board and moving it to the destination. At the destination, person A is removed from stretcher 1, completing the transport of person A. After the transport is complete, stretcher 1 can be changed from the unfolded state to the folded state using the above-mentioned operation, allowing the stretcher 1 to be stored even in a small space.

[0064] <Modification> A modified example of a wheeled litter 101 (hereinafter referred to as litter 101) will be described with reference to Figure 11. The litter 101 has a front wheel section 3, a middle wheel section 4, and a rear wheel section 5 each having a front wheel 131, a middle wheel 141, and a rear wheel 151, which are swivel casters. Because all of the wheels of the litter 101 are swivel casters, the litter 101 can slide sideways.

[0065] The direction of travel of the stretcher 101 can also be changed by rotating the entire stretcher 101 with the position of the handles 7 on which the carrier B's hands are positioned as the position of the rotation axis R. As shown in FIG. 11 , normally, when the direction of travel of the stretcher 101 is changed to the left as seen by the carrier B, the position of the rotation axis Rl is the position where the handle 7 on the left side as seen by the carrier B is located, and conversely, when the direction of travel of the stretcher 101 is changed to the right as seen by the carrier B, the position of the rotation axis Rr is the position where the handle 7 on the right side as seen by the carrier B is located. Note that the amount of force applied by the carrier B to the handles 7 can be adjusted to rotate the entire stretcher 101 so that the rotation axis R is located between the pair of handles 7 or on an extension thereof.

[0066] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. For example, when multiple people are changing the litter 1 from the unfolded state to the folded state, or from the folded state to the unfolded state, one person may hold the second handle 9 to assist in folding or extending the bed 2. This makes it easier to change the litter 1 from the unfolded state to the folded state, or from the folded state to the unfolded state. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] The wheeled stretcher according to the present invention can be used not only by people who have difficulty walking on their own, but also by able-bodied people, and therefore has great industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1, 101: Wheeled stretcher 2: Sleeper 21: 1st support part 22: Second support part 23: Connection part 23a: Restricting member 24: Legs 24a: 1st leg member 24b: Second leg member 25: 1st frame 26: Sheet 1 27: Second frame 28: Second sheet 29: Auxiliary legs 2A: First longitudinal member 2Aa: One end 2Ab: other end 2B: 1st short member 2C: Second longitudinal member 2Ca: One end 2Cb: other end 2D: 2nd short member 3: Front wheel 31, 131: Front wheels 32: Front wheel connecting member 4: Middle limbus 41, 141: Middle ring 42: Middle ring connecting member 43: Middle ring beam member 5: Rear wheel 51, 151: rear wheels 52: Rear wheel connecting member 53: Rear wheel beam member 6: Connecting member 7: Handle 71: Grip 8: 1st handle 9: Second handle A: Person being transported B: Carrier C: Buttocks area D: Lumbar area D1: Distance D2: Distance Df: separation distance DM: Separation distance Dr: Distance F: Floor surface L: Link mechanism P1~P9: Position R: Rotation axis Rl: Rotation axis Rr: Rotation axis S: Running surface X: Lateral direction

Claims

1. A wheeled stretcher that carries a person to be transported in a lying position and travels on a running surface, a bed for the person to be transported to lie down; a front wheel unit having a front wheel and connected to the bed; a rear wheel portion having rear wheels and connected to the bed; a middle wheel portion having a middle wheel, connected to the bed, and positioned between the front wheel portion and the rear wheel portion; the bed has a buttocks region that is a region that supports the buttocks of the person being carried, and a lumbar region that is a region that supports the lumbar region of the person being carried, The central annulus is connected to the bed in a region extending from the buttocks region to the lumbar region of the bed; A wheeled stretcher characterized in that the direction of travel can be changed by the entire stretcher rotating around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction at the position where the rear wheels are located or at a position behind the position where the rear wheels are located.

2. the bed is spaced apart from the running surface and positioned above the front wheels, the middle wheels, and the rear wheels; 2. The wheeled litter according to claim 1, wherein the distance from the running surface to the bed at the position where the front wheels are arranged is shorter than the distance from the running surface to the bed at the position where the middle wheels are arranged.

3. the bed is spaced apart from the running surface and positioned above the front wheels, the middle wheels, and the rear wheels; 2. The wheeled stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the distance from the running surface to the bed at the position where the rear wheels are arranged is shorter than the distance from the running surface to the bed at the position where the middle wheels are arranged.

4. Equipped with a handle for operation, 2. The wheeled litter according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion of the handle is located above the bed.

5. The wheeled litter according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting member that connects the rear wheel portion and the middle wheel portion.

6. the bed is divided into a first support portion and a second support portion along a short-side direction of the bed, has a connecting portion connecting the first support portion and the second support portion, and is bendable at the connecting portion; 2. The wheeled stretcher according to claim 1, which can be changed between an unfolded state in which the bed can lie down on the person to be transported, and a folded state in which the bed is folded up.

7. 7. The wheeled stretcher according to claim 6, further comprising legs for supporting the stretcher in the folded state.

8. 8. A wheeled litter as described in claim 7, wherein the leg portion has a first leg member provided on the first support portion and a second leg member provided on the second support portion.

9. 7. A wheeled stretcher as described in claim 6, further comprising an auxiliary leg portion provided on the second support portion.

10. 7. A wheeled stretcher according to claim 6, further comprising a first handle provided on the first support portion and protruding to the side of the bed.

11. 7. The wheeled stretcher according to claim 6, further comprising a second handle provided at the connecting portion and protruding to the side of the bed.

12. The wheeled litter according to claim 6, wherein the middle wheel portion and the rear wheel portion are each foldably connected to the bed.

13. A wheeled litter as described in claim 12, wherein the rear wheel portion and the middle wheel portion are connected by a link mechanism.

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