Wheelchair aid

Abstract

To disclose an example of a wheelchair support tool capable of suppressing a decrease in holding force.SOLUTION: A locking part 9 is provided which has an engaging part 8C engageable with an engaged part 9A provided in an operation part 8, is connected to a frame 3 so as to be slidably displaced in a state where rotation is regulated, and is slidably displaced between a lock position where the engaged part and the engaging part are engaged with each other and a non-lock position where the engagement is released. As a result, since the rotation of the operating section 8 is restricted, the displacement of the movable clamping section 7 is also restricted. Therefore, since the clamping force is prevented from being greatly reduced, the wheelchair support tool can be prevented from being unintentionally detached from the wheelchair.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wheelchair assist device that assists wheelchair mobility. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the wheelchair support device described in Patent Document 1 has an attachment part that is detachably attached to the pipe frame of the wheelchair. The attachment part has two clamping parts, and one of the clamping parts is displaced so as to press against the pipe frame, and the pipe frame is clamped between the two clamping parts from the front and rear. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7478495 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the mounting section described in Patent Document 1, if the position of one of the clamping sections is displaced, the force clamping the pipe frame (hereinafter referred to as clamping force) decreases, which may cause the wheelchair support device to unintentionally come off the wheelchair. The present disclosure discloses an example of a wheelchair support device that takes this into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A wheelchair support device that has an attachment part (5) that can be detachably attached to the pipe frame (31) of a wheelchair and that supports the movement of the wheelchair desirably has at least one of the following constituent elements, for example.

[0006] That is, the constituent elements are a pipe-shaped frame (3) having an attachment part (5) provided at one end in the longitudinal direction, and a grip part (4) at the other end in the longitudinal direction that can be gripped by an assistant; a fixed clamping part (6) that constitutes the attachment part (5) and comes into contact with the pipe frame (31) when attached to the wheelchair, the fixed clamping part (6) being fixed to the frame (3); a movable clamping part (7) that constitutes the attachment part (5) and comes into contact with the pipe frame (31) from the opposite side to the fixed clamping part (6) by sandwiching the pipe frame (31) when attached to the wheelchair, the movable clamping part (7) being connected to the frame (3) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction; the operating part (8) having a screw portion (8A) that screws into a screw portion (7D) provided on the movable clamping part (7), and displacing the movable clamping part (7) in the longitudinal direction by rotating around a rotation center axis (Lo) that is parallel to the longitudinal direction; a loosening prevention part (9) having an engaging part (9A) that can engage with an engaged part (8C) provided on the operating part (8), and the loosening prevention part (9) can slide and displace along the longitudinal direction between a locked position where the engaged part (8C) and the engaging part (9A) are engaged and an unlocked position where the engagement is released; and a restricting part (10B) that allows the loosening prevention part (9) to be displaced in the longitudinal direction while restricting the rotation of the loosening prevention part (9) around the rotation center axis (Lo).

[0007] This restricts the rotation of the operating part 8, and therefore restricts the displacement of the movable clamping part 7. This prevents the clamping force from decreasing significantly, and thus prevents the wheelchair support device from unintentionally coming off the wheelchair.

[0008] Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations, etc. described in the embodiments described below, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations, etc. shown by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a wheelchair support device according to a first embodiment is worn. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a wheelchair support device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a view showing a mounting portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the structure of a mounting portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a view showing a mounting portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 3A and 3B are views showing a locking portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an engaging portion and an engaged portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the structure of a mounting portion according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following "embodiments of the invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the invention-specific matters described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the following embodiments.

[0011] Note that arrows and diagonal lines indicating directions in each drawing are provided to facilitate understanding of the relationship between the drawings and the shapes of each component or part. Therefore, the invention disclosed in this disclosure is not limited to the directions indicated in each drawing. Diagonal lines do not always indicate cross-sectional views.

[0012] At least one of a component or part that is described with a reference numeral is provided unless otherwise specified, such as "one." In other words, unless otherwise specified, two or more of the component may be provided. The wheelchair assist device disclosed in this disclosure includes at least one of the components, such as the component or part, that are described with a reference numeral and the structural parts shown in the drawings.

[0013] (First embodiment) <1. Overview of wheelchair assistive devices> As shown in Fig. 1, the wheelchair support device 1 according to this embodiment is attached to a leg pipe 31 of a wheelchair 30 when in use. The leg pipe 31 is a pipe frame for supporting a footrest (not shown). The purpose of use of the wheelchair support device 1 is the same as that of the wheelchair support device described in Patent Document 1.

[0014] The wheelchair support device 1 according to this embodiment includes at least two towing poles 2. Each towing pole 2 has a symmetrical configuration, and the main components are the same. The following description is about the towing pole 2 located on the right side.

[0015] <2. Configuration of the towing pole> <2.1 Overview> As shown in Fig. 2, the towing pole 2 includes at least a frame 3, a gripping portion 4, and an attachment portion 5. The frame 3 is a pole portion made of a pipe material. Note that the frame 3 according to this embodiment is made of two pipes with different diameters.

[0016] The smaller diameter pipe of the two pipes is inserted into the larger diameter pipe so that it can be retracted. Therefore, the supporter can change the longitudinal dimension of the frame 3 by sliding the smaller diameter pipe relative to the larger diameter pipe.

[0017] The gripping portion 4 is a portion that can be held by a support person. That is, the support person holds the gripping portion 4 when towing the wheelchair 30. The attachment portion 5 is a portion that is detachably attached to the leg pipe 31.

[0018] The mounting portion 5 is provided at one longitudinal end of the frame 3. The gripping portion 4 is provided at the other longitudinal end of the frame 3. The gripping portions 4 of the towing poles 2 can be connected to each other as shown in FIG.

[0019] In other words, the wheelchair support device 1 is configured to form a roughly U-shape with the two towing poles 2 and the gripping parts 4. The supporter can then hold the gripping parts 4 while positioned between the two towing poles 2 and tow the wheelchair 30.

[0020] <2.2 Mounting details> As shown in Fig. 3, the mounting part 5 is configured to have a first clamping part 6, a second clamping part 7, an operating part 8, and a locking part 9. The first clamping part 6 is a part that comes into contact with the leg pipe 31 when the mounting part 5 is attached to the wheelchair 30, and is a part that is fixed to the frame 3. Hereinafter, the first clamping part 6 will be referred to as the fixed clamping part 6.

[0021] The second clamping part 7 is a part that, when the mounting part 5 is attached to the wheelchair 30, sandwiches the leg pipe 31 and comes into contact with the leg pipe 31 from the side opposite to the fixed clamping part 6, and is connected to the frame 3 so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the frame 3. Hereinafter, the second clamping part 7 will be referred to as the movable clamping part 7.

[0022] 4, the mounting portion 5 according to this embodiment is provided with a slide portion 7A and a connecting bar 7B. The movable clamping portion 7 is connected to the slide portion 7A via the connecting bar 7B. Hereinafter, the slide portion 7A and the connecting bar 7B will be referred to as the movable clamping portion 7.

[0023] The frame 3 is inserted into the slide portion 7A so as to be displaceable. Furthermore, the slide portion 7A is restricted from rotating about the axis Lo as the central axis of rotation. Note that the axis Lo in FIG. 4 indicates a virtual line parallel to the central axis of the frame 3, i.e., the longitudinal direction of the frame 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "longitudinal direction").

[0024] Therefore, the sliding portion 7A, i.e., the movable clamping portion 7, can slide and displace in the longitudinal direction relative to the frame 3 without rotating. A cylindrical portion 7C is provided on the sliding portion 7A. The frame 3 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 7C. A male thread portion 7D is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 7C.

[0025] The operating part 8 is a cylindrical member provided with a female screw portion 8A that screws together with the male screw portion 7D provided on the movable clamping part 7. That is, the inner peripheral surface of the operating part 8 is provided with the female screw portion 8A that screws together with the male screw portion 7D.

[0026] As a result, when the operating part 8 rotates about the central axis Lo as the central axis of rotation, the movable clamping part 7 is displaced in the longitudinal direction. Note that, of the inner circumferential surface of the operating part 8 according to this embodiment, a female screw part 8B is provided on the side of the locking part 9, which is opposite to the female screw part 8A.

[0027] The female screw portion 8B is threadedly engaged with a male screw portion 10A provided on the base portion 10. The base portion 10 is a member fixed to the frame 3. The base portion 10 is a member that supports the locking portion 9 so that the locking portion 9 can slide.

[0028] Specifically, at least one (two in this embodiment) protrusion 10B (see FIG. 5) is provided on the base portion 10. The locking portion 9 is provided with a groove (not shown) into which the protrusion 10B is slidably fitted.

[0029] The groove extends in a direction parallel to the central axis Lo, thereby allowing the locking portion 9 to slide longitudinally while being restricted from rotating about the central axis Lo.

[0030] In other words, the protrusion 10B of the base portion 10 and the groove portion of the anti-loosening portion 9 function as a restricting portion that allows the anti-loosening portion 9 to be displaced along the longitudinal direction while restricting the anti-loosening portion 9 from rotating around the rotation center axis Lo.

[0031] The locking part 9 has an engaging part 9A (see FIG. 7) and is slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The engaging part 9A is a part that can engage with an engaged part 8C (see FIG. 6) provided on the operating part 8.

[0032] The locked position is a position where the engaged portion 8C and the engaging portion 9A are engaged (meshed) (see FIG. 8). The unlocked position is a position where the engaging portion 9A is separated from the engaged portion 8C and the engagement between the engaged portion 8C and the engaging portion 9A is released.

[0033] 6, the base portion 10 (the protrusion portion 10B in this embodiment) is provided with a spring 11. The spring 11 applies an elastic force to the anti-loosening portion 9 to hold the anti-loosening portion 9 in the locked position.

[0034] <2.3 Engaging portion and engaged portion> 8, the engaging portion 9A is made up of a plurality of protrusions 9B protruding toward the engaged portion 8C. The engaged portion 8C is made up of a plurality of protrusions 8D protruding toward the engaging portion 9A.

[0035] The engaging portion 9A engages with the engaged portion 8C so that each protrusion 9B meshes with each protrusion 8D. At least one of each protrusion 9B and each protrusion 8D (in this embodiment, all of the protrusions 9B and 8D) is provided with an inclined surface 9C, 8E.

[0036] Each of the inclined surfaces 9C and 8E is a surface inclined with respect to the central axis Lo, and the direction of the inclination is as follows. That is, the inclined surfaces 9C and 8E are inclined so that an opening force is generated at the contact portion between the engaging portion 9A and the engaged portion 8C when the operating portion 8 rotates in a direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 8) that brings the movable clamping portion 7 closer to the fixed clamping portion 6. The opening force is a force that acts in a direction that displaces the anti-loosening portion 9 toward the unlocked position (downward on the paper surface in FIG. 8).

[0037] When the operating unit 8 is rotated in the direction opposite to the "approaching direction" (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 8) and the locking unit 9 is in the locked position, no opening force is generated. In other words, when the locking unit 9 is in the locked position, the movable clamping unit 7 is restricted from being displaced in a direction that reduces the clamping force.

[0038] <2.4 Other components> 9, the locking portion 9 or the operating portion 8 (in this embodiment, the locking portion 9) is provided with a holding portion 9D. The holding portion 9D is a portion for holding the locking portion 9 in the unlocked position.

[0039] Specifically, the base portion 10 is provided with a recess 10C into which the holding portion 9D can fit. The holding portion 9D is a portion that can be elastically displaced. When the holding portion 9D is fitted into the recess 10C, the locking portion 9 is held in the unlocked position. Note that the holding portion 9D is fitted into the recess 10C by an assistant.

[0040] <3. Features of the wheelchair support device according to this embodiment> When the locking portion 9 is in the locked position, the movable clamping portion 7 is restricted from being displaced in a direction that would reduce the clamping force. Therefore, a large decrease in the clamping force is prevented, and the wheelchair support device 1 can be prevented from unintentionally coming off the wheelchair 30.

[0041] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the first clamping unit functions as a fixed clamping unit, and the second clamping unit functions as a movable clamping unit. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured, for example, such that the second clamping unit functions as a fixed clamping unit, and the first clamping unit functions as a movable clamping unit.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, a female screw portion is formed in the operation unit 8, and a male screw portion is formed in the movable clamping unit 7. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured, for example, such that a male screw portion is formed in the operation unit 8, and a female screw portion is formed in the movable clamping unit 7.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 8 is provided with a female screw portion 8B, and the base unit 10 is provided with a male screw portion 10A. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, the female screw portion 8B and the male screw portion 10A are eliminated, and the operation unit 8 does not displace in the longitudinal direction.

[0044] The engaging portion and the engaged portion in the above-described embodiment are serrated ratchet teeth. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be, for example, a dog clutch type engaging portion and an engaged portion.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the spring 11 and the holding portion 9D are provided. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured such that at least one of the spring 11 and the holding portion 9D is eliminated.

[0046] Although the engaging portion and the engaged portion in the above-described embodiment are serrated ratchet teeth, the present disclosure is not limited to this. In other words, the disclosure may, for example, provide an inclined surface on at least one of the engaged portion and the engaging portion such that, when the anti-loosening portion is displaced from the unlocked position to the locked position, a force is generated at the contact point between the engaged portion and the engaging portion to rotate the operating portion in a direction that brings the movable clamping portion closer to the fixed clamping portion.

[0047] The engaging portion and the engaged portion in the above-described embodiment are formed of sawtooth ratchet teeth. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, in the present disclosure, for example, the engaging portion and the engaged portion may each be formed of serrations or splines having multiple protrusions extending in a direction parallel to the central axis Lo.

[0048] The mounting portion 5 according to the above-described embodiment is attached to the leg pipe 31. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, in the present disclosure, the mounting portion 5 may be attached to, for example, the front pipe.

[0049] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments as long as it conforms to the spirit of the disclosure described in the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure may be a configuration in which at least two of the above-described embodiments are combined, or a configuration in which any of the components illustrated or described with reference numerals in the above-described embodiments is eliminated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Wheelchair support device 2. Towing pole 3. Frame 4... Gripping part 5... Mounting part 6... First clamping part (fixed clamping part) 7... Second clamping part (movable clamping part) 7A... Slide part 7B… Connection bar 7C… Cylindrical part 7D… Male thread part 8... Operating part 8A... Female thread part 8B... Female thread part 8C... Engaged part 8D... Projection part 9... Anti-loosening part 9A... Engaging part 9B... Projection part 9C... Inclined surface 9D... Holding part 10... Base part 10A... Male thread part 10B... Projection 10C... Recess 11... Spring

Claims

1. A wheelchair support device that has an attachment part that is detachably attached to a pipe frame of a wheelchair and supports the movement of the wheelchair, a pipe-shaped frame having the attachment portion provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction and a grip portion that can be gripped by a supporter on the other end side in the longitudinal direction; a fixed clamping portion that constitutes the mounting portion and comes into contact with the pipe frame when the wheelchair is attached, the fixed clamping portion being fixed to the frame; a movable clamping part that constitutes the mounting part and that, when attached to the wheelchair, sandwiches the pipe frame and contacts the pipe frame from the side opposite to the fixed clamping part, the movable clamping part being connected to the frame so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction; an operating unit provided with a screw portion that screws into a screw portion provided on the movable clamping unit, the operating unit rotating about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction as a rotation center axis to displace the movable clamping unit in the longitudinal direction; a locking portion having an engaging portion engageable with an engaged portion provided on the operation portion, the locking portion being slidable along the longitudinal direction between a locked position where the engaged portion and the engaging portion are engaged and an unlocked position where the engagement is released; a restricting portion that allows the anti-loosening portion to be displaced in the longitudinal direction while restricting the anti-loosening portion from rotating about the central axis of rotation; A wheelchair assist device comprising:

2. 2. The wheelchair support device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring that applies an elastic force to the locking portion to hold the locking portion in the locked position.

3. at least one of the engaged portion and the engaging portion is provided with an inclined surface that generates a force that displaces the anti-loosening portion toward the unlocked position at a contact portion between the engaged portion and the engaging portion when the operating portion rotates in a direction that brings the movable clamping portion closer to the fixed clamping portion, 3. The wheelchair support device according to claim 2, further comprising: a locking mechanism for locking the operating portion from rotating in a direction opposite to the "approaching direction" when the locking portion is in the locked position.

4. 4. The wheelchair support device according to claim 1, further comprising a retaining portion that retains the locking portion in the unlocked position.

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