Transport vehicle

Abstract

When people with mobility difficulties want to take a bath, we provide a transport vehicle that eliminates the need for walking and transfers, allowing them to travel directly to the bathroom and bathe while remaining on the vehicle, thus minimizing their burden. [Solution] In this invention, the caster rotation axis of the caster wheel 5 of the transport vehicle 2 is installed at an angle rather than perpendicular to the floor surface, and because the caster wheel 5 and the front wheel 4 are rotatable, the front wheel 4 rotates to the stable side, so when moving forward, a gap is created between the front landing surface of the container body 1 and the floor surface, allowing it to move, and when moving backward, it lands and comes to a stop.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a carrier that can be pushed and pulled by a person.

Background Art

[0002] In a commonly used carrier that can be pushed and pulled by a person, caster wheels are often used at the front. By rotating a part of the caster wheel, the direction of travel can be easily changed. A normal caster wheel is shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the caster wheel has a wheel and has a bent portion in a part of the caster wheel (by having a distance between the wheel perpendicular line and the caster axis, and depending on that distance). By having this bent portion, there is an advantage that the direction change of the destination can be easily changed to the pushing direction. For the caster wheel, in order to attach the caster wheel to the carrier, a caster wheel support rod is connected to the carrier frame by welding. Inside the support rod, there are a rubber material, a bolt, and a nut (FIG. 13), and it is connected via a bearing etc. at the upper part of the caster wheel. The caster wheel is rotatable, and by having this caster rotation surface, a carrier equipped with the caster wheel can easily change the direction of travel.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a Western-style toilet wheelchair that can eliminate the need for diapers has been devised. Two caster wheels are provided in front of this wheelchair. And the caster rotation axis of the caster wheel is designed perpendicular to the road surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] In transport vehicles equipped with a loading platform for people to get on and off, being able to raise and lower the front of the platform would make it easier for people to get on and off. Specifically, it would be preferable to be able to lower the front of the platform to allow people to get on and off, and raise the front of the platform to avoid obstacles or steps ahead when moving the transport vehicle forward. In the wheelchair described in Patent Document 1, the support rod for the front caster wheel is installed perpendicular to the floor surface; that is, the axis of rotation of the caster wheel is perpendicular to the floor surface, i.e., the caster wheel angle is 0. Therefore, it does not have a mechanism to raise or lower the front of the loading platform. The objective of this project is to invent a simple mechanism that lowers the front of the loading platform to allow it to rest when the transport vehicle is stationary, and raises the front of the loading platform when the transport vehicle is moving forward. By the way, in this invention, "landing" refers to a part of the transport vehicle coming into contact with the floor, road surface, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problem, the inventor invented the following means. As method 1, A vehicle for transporting goods, equipped with a loading platform that can be pushed or pulled by a person, The vehicle is equipped with at least two caster wheels at the front, The aforementioned caster wheel is equipped with a wheel, The aforementioned caster wheel is equipped with a caster wheel rotation surface for changing direction, When the line extending from the center point of the caster wheel's rotation surface and perpendicular to the caster wheel's rotation surface is defined as the caster's rotation axis, The caster angle of the aforementioned caster rotation axis is between 5 and 30 degrees. The distance between the wheel center point of the wheel and the downward extension line of the caster rotation axis is between 15 mm and 100 mm. When the vehicle is moved forward, the rotating part rotates, which raises the front of the cargo bed. A transport vehicle characterized in that when the vehicle is moved backward, the front of the cargo bed touches the ground. To provide.

[0007] Method 2 includes: The aforementioned cargo bed is characterized by having seats on which a person can sit. 1. Transport vehicle, To provide.

[0008] Method 3 includes: The transport vehicle according to means 2, characterized in that the aforementioned seat is provided in a container capable of holding hot water, To provide.

[0009] The following provides supplementary information to the wording described in the above-mentioned method. The caster rotation axis, also indicated by symbol 6a, is a hypothetical straight line axis extending from the center point of the caster wheel rotation surface and perpendicular to the caster wheel rotation surface. The center point is usually the center of the circle of the caster wheel rotation surface, as it is normally circular. However, if the caster wheel rotation surface is not circular, the geometric centroid is used. Figure 7 shows an explanatory diagram of the caster angle. In other words, the caster angle is the angle between the caster's axis of rotation and the perpendicular line from the floor. A positive caster angle means that the upper part of the caster is tilted backward. On the other hand, a negative caster angle means that the upper part of the caster is tilted forward. The wheel center point refers to the central point along the length of the axle (spindle) that forms the axis of the wheel. It is the distance between the center point of the wheel and the downward extension line of the rotation axis, which is the so-called distance between a point and a line. The distance between a point and a line refers to the length of the perpendicular line dropped from the point to the line. An explanatory diagram thereof is shown in FIG. 12. "Front", "rear", "upper", and "lower" refer to the directions described in FIG. 10. The container body may have any structure and material as long as it can hold hot water and cold water. So-called, a bathtub is preferable.

[0010] By the way, the numerical value of the caster angle is from 5 degrees to 30 degrees. Preferably, it is from 10 degrees to 20 degrees. If the caster angle is too small, the vertical distance between the upper and lower parts, which is the gap in front of the loading platform, becomes too small, resulting in the problem that it becomes impossible to overcome the obstacle in front. On the other hand, if the caster angle becomes too large, when the load on the loading platform is heavy, an excessive force is required because the front wheel reverses when starting to move forward. The distance between the center point of the caster wheel and the downward extension line of the perpendicular line is from 15 mm to 100 mm. Preferably, it is from 40 mm to 65 mm. If the numerical value is small, the gap between the front of the loading platform and the floor becomes small, making it difficult to overcome the step. On the other hand, if the numerical value is large, the problem occurs that an excessive force is required for the reversal of the caster wheel front wheel. The method of attaching the caster wheel to the transport vehicle may be any method, but usually, the caster wheel support rod is attached to the rod of the transport vehicle frame by welding.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] By implementing the present invention, despite having a very simple structure, the vertical movement of the front part of the loading platform has become possible. Specifically, moving the transport vehicle back and forth allows the front of the loading platform to be raised and lowered. This action allows the front of the loading platform to be raised when the transport vehicle moves forward, while when it moves backward, the front of the loading platform can be immediately lowered and brought to the ground. Therefore, when moving forward, a gap is created between the floor and the front part of the cargo bed, allowing for smooth forward movement. On the other hand, when moving backward, for example, the front part of the cargo bed immediately touches the ground, making it easier for, for example, the person being cared for to get on and off the transport vehicle's container. Furthermore, since it touches the ground, it also acts as a brake, improving the safety of the transport vehicle when it is stationary.

[0012] The movement of the caster wheels, in the forward (Figure 1) and forward (Figure 2) states, causes the front of the platform to move up and down. For example, it eliminates the burden on the person being cared for when getting on the platform, and simplifies the entire process from the bed to the bathroom, and then from the bathroom back to the bed after bathing, eliminating the burden of walking and transfers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] A side view of the caster wheels of the transport vehicle of the present invention, where the caster rotation axis is oriented opposite to the floor when the front wheels are moving in reverse, and the front of the container body is stationary and stable when it touches the floor. [Figure 2] A side view of the caster wheel of the transport vehicle of the present invention, in which the caster rotation axis of the caster wheel is oriented in the same direction as the large wheel when the front wheel is moving forward, creating a gap in front of the container body and allowing it to move. [Figure 3] Front view of the container (viewed from the front). [Figure 4] Rear view of the container and transport vehicle (viewed from the rear). [Figure 5] This diagram shows the difference in height between the forward and reverse movement of the front wheel landing surface due to the rotation of the front caster wheel, depending on the caster angle of the transport vehicle. [Figure 6] Diagram showing the caster wheel and support rod. [Figure 7] Diagram illustrating caster angles. [Figure 8] This side view shows the result of raising the position of the large wheel support axle upwards using a movable device, relative to the contact surface of the front caster wheel, resulting in a gap between the front of the container and the floor. [Figure 9] This side view shows the result of using a movable device to push down the front caster wheel, relative to the contact surface of the large wheel, creating a gap between the front of the container and the floor. [Figure 10] The diagrams show the "upper, lower" and "front, rear" directions of the transport vehicle. [Figure 11] A side view of the bathtub unit being used as a bathtub. [Figure 12] A diagram illustrating the distance between a point and a line. [Figure 13] Caster wheel, caster wheel support rod, and front wheel end view [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0015] Figure 1 shows that the caster rotation axis 6a of the caster wheel is installed at an angle, so the front wheel 4 is facing in the opposite direction to the large wheel 3, and the front of the container body 1 on the platform of the transport vehicle 2 is touching the floor. For example, when a person to be cared for gets into the seat and sits down, no load is placed on the transport vehicle 2, and the transport vehicle is stationary.

[0016] Figure 2 shows that, with the caster rotation axis 6a installed at an angle, when the transport vehicle moves forward, the front wheels 4 are in a stable position facing the direction of the large wheels 3. Due to the difference in height between the front wheel 4 landing height in Figure 1 and the front wheel 4 landing surface in Figure 2, a gap is created between the front landing surface of the container body 1 and the floor, allowing it to move forward.

[0017] Figure 3 shows a front view of container 1 (a view from the front), and the horizontal line, which is roughly in the middle, represents the height of the seats.

[0018] Figure 4 shows a rear view (viewed from the rear) of the container body 1 and the transport vehicle 2, illustrating the frame of the transport vehicle 2, as well as the rear tipping prevention support pillars 7, pillar covers 9, backrest members 11, and rear tipping prevention support pillar support bolts 12 used when the container body is used as a bathtub.

[0019] Figure 5, (a) shows the caster wheel 5 installed on the transport vehicle 2 and A wheel 4 is depicted, the caster rotation axis 6a is installed perpendicular to the floor surface (caster angle is 0 degrees), and the height of the front wheel's contact surface is horizontal with no difference between the state in Figure 1 and the state in Figure 2. Figure (b) shows a caster angle of 6b at 5 degrees, and the difference in height between the front wheel contact surface in Figure 1 and Figure 2 is approximately 9 mm when the front wheel diameter is approximately 150 mm. Figure (h) shows a caster angle 6b of 10 degrees, and the difference in height between the front wheel contact surface in Figure 1 and Figure 2 is approximately 18 mm when the front wheel diameter is approximately 150 mm. (ii) shows a caster angle 6b of 15 degrees, and the difference in height between the front wheel contact surface in Figure 1 and Figure 2 is approximately 27 mm when the front wheel diameter is approximately 150 mm. Figure 5 shows the case when using product name: Yamaha electric wheelchair front wheel caster (XOC-22845-51).

[0020] Figure 6 shows the caster wheels 5 and front wheels 4 of a typical wheelchair.

[0021] Figure 7 shows a diagram of the caster angle.

[0022] Figure 8 shows that one method for creating a gap between the front landing surface of the container body 1 and the floor during movement is to set the caster wheels 5 and the front wheels 4 with the caster angle 6b relative to the vertical installation standard, and to mechanically move the support position of the large wheels 3 upwards to create the gap.

[0023] Figure 9 shows that one method for creating a gap between the front landing surface of the container body 1 and the floor during movement is to use the support position of the large wheel 3 as a reference and mechanically lower the landing positions of the caster wheel 5 and the front wheel 4 to create the gap.

[0024] Figure 10 shows the front, rear, top, and bottom views of the transport vehicle 2 and the container body 1.

[0025] Figure 11 is a side view of the container body 1 loaded on the cargo bed of the transport vehicle 2, rotated approximately 45 degrees around the hub of the transport vehicle 2's large wheel 3, with the container body 1 serving as a tank for storing hot water. This transport vehicle 2 is secured with a rear anti-tipping support 7, a front anti-tipping support 8, and a large wheel stopper 10 for safety, allowing a caregiver to move a person not requiring care to the bathroom without requiring them to walk or transfer, and to perform body washing and bathing.

[0026] Figure 12 shows an explanatory diagram illustrating the distance between a point and a line. .

[0027] Figure 13 shows the caster wheel, the caster wheel support rod, and the end view of the front wheel.

[0028] In this invention, the front wheels 4 are approximately 150 mm in length, and the caster angle is 30 to 60 degrees. Figure 5 shows the case, but slight differences can be covered by tilting the caster angle 6b. By the way, the best way to manufacture this is to mount the caster wheels 5 at an angle of 6b, so that the front landing surface of the container body 1 creates a gap when moving forward. This method results in a transport vehicle 2 that is easy to make and inexpensive to construct. [Industrial applicability]

[0029] Hearing the voices of people who are unable to walk and are receiving care at a hospital or at home, and who are depressed because their daily routines consist only of wiping their bodies with warm towels, both from a hygiene standpoint and because they do not get the refreshing feeling of soaking in a bathtub, we devised this transport vehicle with the idea of ​​creating a simple, easy-to-move, and mobile structure that allows them to bathe without putting a strain on their walking. Many people with difficulty walking are undergoing rehabilitation at the hospital, and Some people are bedridden, and while various bathing devices are available, the first challenge is simply getting to the container (even a bathtub), which is far too burdensome for those who have difficulty walking. Therefore, the transport vehicle should be simple in structure and inexpensive, and one caregiver should be able to handle the task effectively. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 1 container 2 Transport vehicles 3. Great Wheels 4 Front wheels 5 caster wheels 5a Caster wheel support rod 6 Caster rotation surface 6a Caster rotation axis 6b Caster angle 7. Rearward anti-tipping support post 8. Front tipping prevention support post 9. Support pole cover 10 Large wheel retainer 11 Backrest member 12 Rear anti-tipping support bolts 13. Curved section

Claims

1. A vehicle for transporting goods, equipped with a loading platform that can be pushed or pulled by a person, The vehicle is equipped with at least two caster wheels at the front, The aforementioned caster wheel is equipped with a wheel, The aforementioned caster wheel is equipped with a caster wheel rotation surface for changing direction, When the line extending from the center point of the caster wheel's rotation surface and perpendicular to the caster wheel's rotation surface is defined as the caster's rotation axis, The caster angle of the aforementioned caster rotation axis is between 5 and 30 degrees. The distance between the wheel center point of the wheel and the downward extension line of the caster rotation axis is between 15 mm and 100 mm. When the vehicle is moved forward, the rotating part rotates, which raises the front of the cargo bed. A transport vehicle characterized in that when the vehicle is moved backward, the front of the cargo bed touches the ground.

2. The transport vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the cargo bed is equipped with seats on which a person can sit.

3. The transport vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforementioned seat is provided inside a container capable of holding hot water.

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