Car seat support equipment

Abstract

This document discloses an example of a wheelchair assistive device that allows the gripping part to be positioned appropriately even if the assisting person has a different physique (e.g., height). [Solution] The wheelchair assist device comprises a pipe-shaped first frame 3 with a mounting portion 6 on one longitudinal end, a pipe-shaped second frame 4 having a gripping portion 5 that can be grasped by a caregiver on the other longitudinal end, and a joint portion 7 connecting the other longitudinal end of the first frame 3 and the longitudinal end of the second frame 4, the joint portion 7 allowing the second frame 4 to rotate relative to the first frame 3. As a result, the wheelchair assist device is configured so that the position of the gripping portion 5 can be rotated and displaced around the joint portion 7. Therefore, with this wheelchair assist device, even if the caregiver's physique, for example, their height, is different, the caregiver can adjust the position of the gripping portion 5 to suit their own physique.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wheelchair assist device for assisting the movement of a wheelchair.

Background Art

[0002] The wheelchair assist device described in Patent Document 1 includes an attachment portion that is detachably attached to the pipe frame of the wheelchair. And a pipe-shaped frame extending toward the front side is provided on the attachment portion. Further, a grip portion that can be gripped by a supporter is provided on the front end side of the frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the physique (for example, height) of the supporter is different, the position of the appropriate grip portion is different. The present disclosure discloses an example of a wheelchair assist device in view of this point.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A wheelchair assist device for assisting the movement of a wheelchair, which includes an attachment portion (6) detachably attached to the pipe frame (31) of the wheelchair (30), for example, a pipe-shaped first frame (3) provided with the attachment portion (6) on one end side in the longitudinal direction, a pipe-shaped second frame (4) having a grip portion (5) that can be gripped by a supporter on the other end side in the longitudinal direction, and a joint portion (7) that connects the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the first frame (3) and the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the second frame (4), and the joint portion (7) that makes the second frame (4) rotatable with respect to the first frame (3) is preferably provided.

[0006] As a result, the wheelchair assist device has a configuration in which the gripping part (5) can rotate and displace around the joint (7). Therefore, even if the assistive person has a different physique (e.g., height), the assistive person may be able to adjust the position of the gripping part (5) to a position that suits their own physique.

[0007] Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are just examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations etc. described in the embodiments described later, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations etc. indicated by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the usage state of the wheelchair assistive device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing a towing pole according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the joint portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the structure of the joint according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the structure of the joint according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing a towing pole according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows the structure of the joint according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the joint portion according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the joint portion according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] This diagram shows the structure of the gripping part according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following "Embodiments of the Invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, the features defining the invention as described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the embodiments below.

[0010] The arrows and diagonal lines indicating direction in each figure are included to facilitate understanding of the relationships between the figures and the shapes of each component or part. Therefore, the inventions shown in this disclosure are not limited to the directions indicated in each figure. Diagonal lines do not always indicate cross-sectional views.

[0011] At least one of the components or parts described with reference numerals is provided unless otherwise specified, such as "one". In other words, if there is no such specification, such as "one", there may be two or more such components. The wheelchair assist devices shown in this disclosure include at least one of the components, such as the components or parts described with reference numerals, and at least one of the illustrated structural parts.

[0012] (First Embodiment) <1. Overview of wheelchair assistive devices> The wheelchair support device 1 according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "support device 1") is used by being attached to the leg pipe 31 of the wheelchair 30, as shown in Figure 1. The leg pipe 31 is a pipe-shaped frame for supporting the footrest (not shown) of the wheelchair 30.

[0013] The method of use of the support device 1 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the support device described in Patent Document 1. The support device 1 comprises at least two towing poles 2. Each towing pole 2 has a symmetrical configuration, and the main components are the same. The following description relates to the towing pole 2 located on the left side.

[0014] <2. Configuration of the towing pole> <2.1 Overview> As shown in Figure 2, the towing pole 2 comprises at least a first frame 3, a second frame 4, a gripping portion 5, a mounting portion 6, and an articulated portion 7. The first frame 3 is a pole portion made of pipe material.

[0015] Note that the first frame 3 according to this embodiment has a telescopic structure having two pipes with different diameters (specifically, an inner cylinder 3A and an outer cylinder 3B). And an attachment portion 6 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3B, that is, one end side in the longitudinal direction of the first frame 3.

[0016] A joint portion 7 is provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 3A. Note that the one end side in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the wheelchair 30 side (the left side of the paper in FIG. 2), and the other end side in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the side opposite to the wheelchair 30 (the right side of the paper in FIG. 2).

[0017] The inner cylinder 3A, which is a small-diameter pipe, is inserted into the outer cylinder 3B, which is a large-diameter pipe, so as to be able to protrude and retract. Therefore, the supporter can expand and contract the longitudinal dimension of the first frame 3 by sliding the inner cylinder 3A with respect to the outer cylinder 3B.

[0018] Specifically, a semi-cylindrical release lever 3C is provided on the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 3B. When a user such as a supporter opens the release lever 3C, the force pressing the outer cylinder 3B toward the inner cylinder 3A side decreases, so that the inner cylinder 3A can slide with respect to the outer cylinder 3B.

[0019] The second frame 4 is a pipe-shaped pole portion connected to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the first frame 3 via the joint portion 7. In other words, the joint portion 7 is a connecting portion that connects the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the first frame 3 and the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the second frame 4. The details of the joint portion 7 will be described later.

[0020] In this embodiment, the second frame 4 is also telescopic. Specifically, the second frame 4 has a telescopic structure having an inner cylinder 4A and an outer cylinder 4B. The inner cylinder 4A is inserted into the outer cylinder 4B so as to be able to protrude and retract.

[0021] Therefore, the user can change the longitudinal dimension of the second frame 4 by sliding the inner cylinder 4A relative to the outer cylinder 4B. The outer cylinder 4B is provided with multiple holes 4C (see Figure 3). These holes 4C are arranged in series along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 4B.

[0022] The inner cylinder 4A is provided with a spherical projection (not shown) that can be detachably fitted into the hole 4C. When the user releases the projection from the hole 4C, the inner cylinder 4A becomes slidable relative to the outer cylinder 4B.

[0023] The gripping part 5 is a part that can be grasped by a caregiver. In other words, when towing the wheelchair 30, the caregiver grasps the gripping part 5. The mounting part 6 is a part that can be detachably attached to the leg pipe 31.

[0024] The mounting portion 6 is provided on one longitudinal end of the first frame 3. The gripping portion 5 is provided on the other longitudinal end of the second frame 4. Each gripping portion 5 of each traction pole 2 can be connected to one another, as shown in Figure 1.

[0025] In other words, the assistive device 1 is configured to form a roughly U-shape with two towing poles 2 and a gripping part 5. The assistive person can then tow the wheelchair 30 by gripping the gripping part 5 while positioned between the two towing poles 2.

[0026] <2.2 Details of the joints> As shown in Figure 3, the joint 7 rotatably connects the second frame 4 to the first frame 3. The joint 7 is composed of at least a gear 7A, an engaging part 7B, and a spring 7D (see Figure 4), etc.

[0027] Gear 7A is a sector gear-shaped gear having at least two projections 7C, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The engaging portion 7B is a member that can directly or indirectly (directly in this embodiment) engage with the projections 7C.

[0028] The engaging portion 7B is slidable between an engaged position (shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5) where it engages with the projection 7C (gear 7A) and a released position where the engagement is released. The spring 7D applies an elastic force to the engaging portion 7B to hold it in the engaged position.

[0029] The gear 7A is integrated into either the first frame 3 or the second frame 4 (in this embodiment, the second frame 4). Therefore, when the second frame 4 rotates relative to the other frame, the first frame 3, the gear 7A rotates together with the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 3.

[0030] In other words, the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 are rotatably connected to each other via a central axis 7E. Therefore, when the second frame 4 rotates relative to the first frame 3, the gear 7A rotates from, for example, the state shown in Figure 4 to the state shown in Figure 5.

[0031] The engaging portion 7B is provided on the first frame 3, which is the other frame. Therefore, when the engaging portion 7B moves to the release position, that is, to a position shifted toward the mounting portion 6 of the outer cylinder 3B from the position shown in Figure 4, the second frame 4 becomes rotatably displaceable relative to the first frame 3.

[0032] <3. Features of the support device according to this embodiment> In the support device 1 according to this embodiment, the position of the gripping portion 5 can be rotated and displaced around the joint portion 7. Therefore, with the support device 1, even if the supporter's physique (for example, height) is different, the supporter may be able to adjust the position of the gripping portion 5 to a position suitable for their own physique.

[0033] Furthermore, since the gripping portion 5 is rotatably displaceable around the joint portion 7, the position of the gripping portion 5 is not affected by the mounting angle α (see Figure 1) of the traction pole 2 relative to the leg pipe 31. In other words, the design freedom of the mounting angle α of the traction pole 2 is increased. In this embodiment, the mounting angle α is approximately 90 degrees.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first frame 3 is extendable and retractable. Therefore, when the inner cylinder 3A is housed in the outer cylinder 3B, the joint portion 7 and a part of the second frame 4 (in this embodiment, the inner cylinder 4A) are housed in the outer cylinder 3B (see Figure 6).

[0035] (Second Embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, the engaging portion 7B was configured such that the projection 7C directly engaged with the gear 7A. In contrast, the engaging portion 7B in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, is configured to indirectly engage with the gear 7A via the second gear 7F.

[0036] The second gear 7F is rotatably supported on the first frame 3 via the shaft 7G. Therefore, when the second frame 4 rotates relative to the first frame 3 and gear 7A rotates, the second gear 7F rotates around the shaft 7G.

[0037] The engaging portion 7B then engages with the projection of the second gear 7F, thereby preventing the rotation of the second gear 7F, and thus preventing the rotation of the gear 7A that meshes with the second gear 7F, that is, the rotation of the second frame 4.

[0038] Components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted in this embodiment. Note that spring 7D is omitted in Figure 7.

[0039] (Third embodiment) As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the joint 7 in this embodiment is constructed using a detachable wing bolt 7H. The towing pole 2 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is a towing pole located on the right side.

[0040] The wing bolt 7H is a bolt that can be screwed into the towing pole 2 while passing through the first frame 3 and the second frame 4. In other words, the second frame 4 is rotatably connected to the first frame 3 via the shaft 7J.

[0041] One of the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 (in this embodiment, the second frame 4) is provided with one hole through which a wing bolt 7H can pass, and the other frame (in this embodiment, the first frame 3) is provided with multiple holes through which a wing bolt 7H can pass.

[0042] The holes in the second frame 4 are provided with female threads that can be screwed into with wing bolts 7H. Therefore, users can easily attach and detach the wing bolts 7H to the towing pole 2. In other words, users can choose which of the multiple holes provided in the first frame 3 to insert the wing bolts 7H into.

[0043] The wing bolt 7H then passes through the holes in the first frame 3 and the second frame 4, functioning as a latch that restricts the rotation of the second frame 4. Therefore, the user can select the angle of the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 3 by selecting the hole in the first frame 3 into which the wing bolt 7H is inserted.

[0044] Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted in this embodiment. (Fourth Embodiment) This embodiment relates to the gripping portion 5. As shown in Figure 10, the gripping portion 5 according to this embodiment is retractable in a telescopic structure having an inner cylinder 5A and an outer cylinder 5B. The inner cylinder 5A is housed within the outer cylinder 5B so as to be able to extend and retract.

[0045] A cylindrical wedge material 5C is interposed between the inner cylinder 5A and the outer cylinder 5B. The inner surface of the wedge material 5C is in contact with the outer surface of the inner cylinder 5A, and the outer surface of the wedge material 5C is in contact with the inner surface of the inner cylinder 5B, and its thickness dimension changes continuously.

[0046] The wedge material 5C is provided with a male threaded portion 5F that screws into a female threaded portion 5E. The female threaded portion 5E is located on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical operating portion 5D. Therefore, when the operating portion 5D is rotated and the wedge material 5C moves to the right side of the paper, the contact pressure between the inner cylinder 5A and the outer cylinder 5B and the wedge material 5C increases, making it impossible for the gripping portion 5 to extend or retract.

[0047] Conversely, when the operating part 5D is rotated and the wedge material 5C moves to the left side of the paper, the contact pressure between the inner cylinder 5A and the outer cylinder 5B and the wedge material 5C decreases, so the gripping part 5 becomes extendable and retractable. As described above, in this embodiment, the user can easily switch between the extendable and retractable states of the gripping part 5.

[0048] (Other embodiments) The mounting portion 6 in the above-described embodiment was an example of being attached to the leg pipe 31. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure also shows that the mounting portion 6 may be attached to, for example, the front pipe.

[0049] In the embodiment described above, the second frame 4 was rotated downward relative to the first frame 3. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure also allows the second frame 4 to rotate upward relative to the first frame 3, for example.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the joint 7 was configured such that when the engaging portion 7B was in the engaged position, the rotation of the second frame 4 was completely restricted. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also be configured such that, for example, a ratchet mechanism is used, in which only rotational displacement in one direction is restricted when the engaging portion 7B is in the engaged position.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the engaging portion 7B was provided on the first frame 3 and the gear 7A was provided on the second frame 4. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also include, for example, a configuration in which the engaging portion 7B is provided on the second frame 4 and the gear 7A is provided on the first frame 3.

[0052] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is sufficient to be consistent with the intent of the disclosures described in the embodiments described above. Therefore, it may be a configuration in which at least two of the embodiments described above are combined, or a configuration in which any of the illustrated components or components described with reference numerals in the embodiments described above are omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1… Wheelchair assist device 2… Towing pole 3... First frame 4... Second frame 5…Gripping part 6…Mounting part 7…Joint part 7A… Gear 7B… Engaging part 7D… Spring 7C…Protrusion 7E…Central axis

Claims

1. A wheelchair assist device that includes a mounting part that can be detachably attached to the pipe frame of a wheelchair and assists in the movement of the wheelchair, A pipe-shaped first frame having the mounting portion provided at one end in the longitudinal direction, A pipe-shaped second frame having a gripping portion on the other end in the longitudinal direction that can be grasped by a supporter, A joint connecting the other longitudinal end of the first frame and the one longitudinal end of the second frame, wherein the joint allows the second frame to rotate relative to the first frame. A wheelchair assistive device equipped with [features / features].

2. The aforementioned joint portion is A gear integrated with either the first frame or the second frame, which rotates with the other frame together with the first frame, and having at least two protrusions, and An engaging portion provided on the other frame, the engaging portion being displaceable between an engaging position in which it directly or indirectly engages with the projection and a disengaged position in which the engagement is released. A wheelchair assist device according to claim 1, having the following features.

3. The wheelchair assist device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first frame is extendable and retractable in a telescopic structure having an inner cylinder provided with the joint portion and an outer cylinder provided with the mounting portion.

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