Components for achieving both the attachment of safety devices to mobility assistance devices and the securing of said mobility assistance devices to a vehicle.

Abstract

In components used to secure user transport devices such as wheelchairs and stretchers to a vehicle, the design changes required for the device and the vehicle are minimized. [Solution] The components 11 and 12 of the present invention include first locking holes 111 and 121 for locking the ends (622 and 663) of a seat belt that is stretched across the user between both sides of the wheelchair, second locking holes 112 and 122 for connecting the components 11 and 12 to the axles on both sides of the wheelchair, and third locking holes 113 and 123 for locking the wheelchair to the vehicle by locking the fasteners 71 and 72 extending from the vehicle to the second locking holes 112 and 122 on the opposite side from the first locking holes 111 and 121. Therefore, the load (load) on the user and wheelchair during a collision is transmitted in a nearly straight line through the components 11 and 12 from the fasteners 71 and 72 to the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel component used to protect a user with a safety device on a mobility assistance welfare device such as a wheelchair and to secure the mobility assistance welfare device to a vehicle when the mobility assistance welfare device can be mounted on a vehicle such as for pick-up and drop-off at a nursing facility.

Background Art

[0002] With the aging of society, the number of care recipients and support recipients is increasing. Many of these people ride in a vehicle while sitting on a wheelchair when going to a nursing facility or the like. At that time, the wheelchair is secured by a wire with a hook extending from a securing point provided at least at four points, namely, front, rear, left, and right near the floor surface of the vehicle. However, since seat belts are not mandatory and there are no established standards, various proposals have been made at present.

[0003] Typically, as in Patent Document 1, when trying to make the seat belt extend from the vehicle and adhere to the user (appropriately wear it), the routing is very complicated, such as passing the seat belt between the wheels. In addition, if a so-called three-point seat belt is used, which also includes a shoulder belt portion that protects the chest from the shoulder to the chest in addition to the lap belt portion that protects the waist to the abdomen of the user, it is necessary to provide a securing point for connecting the end of the shoulder belt portion near the rear hatch of the vehicle, which requires modification and design changes on the vehicle side. Furthermore, since the overall length of the seat belt becomes longer, there is a possibility that the seat belt will stretch during an impact and the impact cannot be properly received.

[0004] Therefore, it seems ideal to equip wheelchairs with seat belts. However, in that case, even at speeds of 50-60 km / h, an impact of up to 20G (gravitational acceleration) is generated, and the load generated by the user can exceed 1 ton. The wheelchair needs to absorb this load and then release it to the vehicle, placing a very large load on the frame and other parts, requiring high strength. Therefore, although major modifications or design changes to the vehicle are not necessary, the wheelchair needs a completely different design from conventional ones, making it expensive and increasing its weight. On the other hand, if the strength is insufficient, the wheelchair will deform during an impact and will not be able to absorb the user (load) (it will not be able to restrain them with tension).

[0005] Alternatively, it is conceivable to extend the seat belt from the vehicle and use it in conjunction with the wheelchair's seat belt. In this case, the load on the wheelchair would be relatively small, and therefore the design changes to the wheelchair would be minimal. However, the securing point of the shoulder belt would need to be located near the rear hatch of the vehicle, and the wheelchair might not be secured sufficiently. In that case, the load of the wheelchair would first be borne by the user before being transmitted to the seat belt, resulting in a greater load on the user and also causing the seat belt to stretch considerably.

[0006] Furthermore, stretchers used in ambulance vehicles also present similar problems related to securing them to the vehicle. In this specification, these stretchers and wheelchairs are collectively referred to as mobility assistance devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-173483 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a component that enables both the attachment of safety devices to mobility assistance devices and the securing of said mobility assistance devices to a vehicle, while minimizing the design changes required for the mobility assistance devices and vehicles, thereby achieving high safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a component for enabling the loading of a mobility assistance device, which can be moved while the user is protected by a safety device, onto a vehicle, and for protecting the user of the mobility assistance device with the safety device and for securing the mobility assistance device to the vehicle, characterized by comprising: a first locking portion for locking the end of the safety device; a second locking portion for connecting the first locking portion to the mobility assistance device; and a third locking portion for locking the end of a securing device extending from the vehicle to the second locking portion on the opposite side from the first locking portion.

[0010] According to the above configuration, when loading mobility assistance devices such as wheelchairs and stretchers onto a vehicle and securing the mobility assistance devices to the vehicle, the present invention uses special components to achieve both the attachment of safety devices to the mobility assistance devices and the securing of the mobility assistance devices to the vehicle. These components are provided, for example, in pairs on both sides of the mobility assistance devices.

[0011] First, the user is protected by the mobility assistance device by a safety device, such as a seat belt in a wheelchair, being stretched between both sides of the device. Next, the mobility assistance device is loaded onto a vehicle using a lift or inclined surface and secured to the vehicle with fasteners such as belts or wires.

[0012] When securing this mobility assistance device to a vehicle, one end of the securing device is connected to the vehicle, and the other end is connected to a predetermined hook or the like formed on the mobility assistance device, securing it with a predetermined tension (without slack). The components of the present invention are used as the hook.

[0013] The components include plates, belts, rods, and other members that allow the first to third locking parts to be arranged at predetermined intervals, for example, a pair of these parts are provided on both sides of the mobility assistance device. The second locking part is connected to both sides of the mobility assistance device, and the end of a safety device that protects the user, such as a seat belt, is locked to the first locking part on the user side of the mobility assistance device, and the other end of the securing device is locked to the third locking part on the side away from the user.

[0014] Therefore, when a load (gravitational acceleration) is applied to the user and the mobility assistance device due to a collision or the like, the load (gravitational acceleration) on the user is transmitted from the safety device - first locking part - third locking part of the component - securing device - vehicle. On the other hand, the load (gravitational acceleration) on the mobility assistance device is transmitted from the second locking part - third locking part of the component - securing device - vehicle.

[0015] This design allows the load (gravitational acceleration) on the user to be directly transmitted to the vehicle, eliminating the need to unnecessarily increase the strength of the mobility assistance device (against frame deformation, etc.). Furthermore, the load (gravitational acceleration) on the mobility assistance device is transmitted directly to the vehicle without being absorbed by the user, thus improving user safety. Moreover, it eliminates the need to loop the vehicle's seat belt around both the user and the mobility assistance device, making it easier to handle. It also allows for appropriate force to protect the user from the mobility assistance device and secure the device to the vehicle, further enhancing safety. Additionally, on the vehicle side, there is no need to install a securing point near the rear hatch to connect one end of the securing device; a securing point near the floor is sufficient, minimizing vehicle modifications.

[0016] Furthermore, the components of the present invention are formed in the shape of a long plate or strip, and the first to third locking portions are arranged in a substantially straight line in the longitudinal direction.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the component consists of a rigid longitudinal plate or a flexible strip, and the first to third locking portions are formed in substantially straight lines along the longitudinal direction of the plate or strip.

[0018] Therefore, the direction in which the safety device is pulled out from the component toward the user, the longitudinal direction of the component, and the direction in which the securing device is pulled out from the component toward the vehicle are aligned in a nearly straight line, resulting in a nearly straight load path. Consequently, there is no need to unnecessarily increase the strength of the component, and costs can be reduced.

[0019] Furthermore, the components of the present invention are formed in a plate shape, and the first locking portion consists of a locking hole formed in an oval shape with both ends of an elongated hole rounded into a semicircular arc, through which the seat belt, which serves as the safety device, is passed when folded in half.

[0020] According to the above configuration, when using the components of the present invention as a mobility assistance device in a wheelchair equipped with a seat belt for automobiles, etc., the first locking part will lock the end of the seat belt, and this locking is done by passing the seat belt through the locking hole, which is the first locking part. The locking hole is formed in an oval shape, for example, with a major axis of 24 mm and a minor axis of 8 mm, with both ends of the elongated hole rounded into semicircles, and the seat belt is passed through this locking hole after being folded in half.

[0021] Therefore, wrinkles in the seat belt and bias towards one end of the slot, which can occur when a strip-shaped seat belt is passed through a straight slot, are suppressed, and the seat belt can be held uniformly throughout the entire locking hole.

[0022] Furthermore, the components of the present invention consist of perforated (punched) SPFH steel plates, and the third locking portion is characterized by being a hook hole with a diameter of 60 mm for locking a hook connected to the end of the fastening.

[0023] According to the above configuration, for example, the S-shaped hook connected to the other end of the fastener from the vehicle has a diameter of φ = 10 mm and a thickness of 5 mm, so this component can be easily locked.

[0024] In addition, the plate thickness of the component and the ring width of the hook hole may be determined according to the tensile strength of the SPFH steel sheet (hot-rolled high-tensile steel sheet and steel strip for automobiles). Assuming that the load applied to the seat belt during a 50 km collision is 16 kN, when using SPFH590 with a tensile strength of 590 MPa and a yield point of 420 MPa and a plate thickness of 5 mm, the ring width of the hook hole will be 12 mm or more.

[0025] Preferably, the mobility assistance welfare device is a wheelchair equipped with a seat belt as the safety device, and includes the component of the present invention used when attaching the seat belt to the wheelchair and the fastener, thereby constituting a fastening device.

[0026] According to the above configuration, when mounting the wheelchair on the vehicle, the component of the present invention is used in the fastening device for fastening the wheelchair to the vehicle, and the component and the fastener are provided to constitute a restraint and fastening device for the user and the wheelchair to the vehicle.

[0027] Therefore, it is possible to realize a fastening device for a wheelchair to a vehicle with less load (gravitational acceleration) on the wheelchair and the user during impact, low cost, and easy handling.

[0028] Also preferably, the mobility assistance welfare device is a wheelchair characterized by including a seat belt as the safety device and the component of the present invention.

[0029] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a wheelchair with a seat belt that can be safely and easily fastened to a vehicle, without the need to unnecessarily increase the strength, and with a small burden on the user. <好ましくは、前記移動介助福祉用具は、前記安全具としてシートベルトを備える車椅子であり、該車椅子に前記シートベルトを取付ける際に用いられる本発明の構成部品と、前記固縛具とを備えて、固縛装置を構成することができる。

[0030] More preferably, the second locking portion is a hole through which an inwardly extending axle of a rear wheel, which is individually attached to both side frames constituting the wheelchair, passes.

[0031] According to the above configuration, the components of the present invention that receive the load (gravitational acceleration) on the user and the wheelchair during a collision are attached to the rear wheels, which have the highest strength on the wheelchair. Therefore, it is not necessary to unnecessarily increase the frame strength of the wheelchair, and a low-cost wheelchair can be realized.

[0032] Preferably, in the wheelchair, one end of the safety device is fixed to a belt anchor attached to the component provided on one side of the wheelchair, and the other end is wound around a retractor provided at the rear of the same side, with a tongue passing through the middle portion so as to be folded back, the tongue being detachable from a buckle attached to the component provided on the other side of the wheelchair, and a shoulder anchor is provided on the upper part of the backrest of the wheelchair on one side of the wheelchair to fold back the safety device between the tongue and the retractor.

[0033] According to the above configuration, a wheelchair equipped with a three-point seat belt can be realized in which the portion from the belt anchor to the tongue becomes a wrap belt portion that protects the user's waist and abdomen, and the portion from the tongue to the shoulder anchor becomes a shoulder belt portion that protects the user's chest.

[0034] More preferably, in the wheelchair, the retractor is provided behind the side frame on one side such that its winding shaft is substantially parallel to the axle of the rear wheel, and a U-shaped recess is formed in the side frame on one side at the top of the backrest, cutting horizontally inward from the side, and this recess serves as the shoulder anchor.

[0035] According to the above configuration, if the upper part of the backrest is extended to the extent that it forms a headrest, a recess is formed in the side frame of one side, cutting inward from the side, so that this recess can function as a shoulder anchor to fold back the safety device between the tongue and the retractor. Furthermore, if the recess is formed by cutting horizontally in a U shape, and the retractor's winding shaft is positioned parallel to the rear wheel axle, the seat belt, which is a safety device, can be passed over the user's shoulders and from the inside (next to the neck), parallel to (closely against) the chest, and like a sash.

[0036] Therefore, it is possible to create a wheelchair equipped with a highly safe three-point seat belt that minimizes chest deflection (deformation of the chest) to a level comparable to that of a rear seat, for example, within 40 mm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] As described above, the components of the present invention are components used when mounting and securing mobility assistance welfare equipment, such as wheelchairs and stretchers, to a vehicle. For example, they include a first locking part that locks the end of a safety device that is stretched between both sides of a user to protect the user, a second locking part that connects the first locking part to the mobility assistance welfare equipment, and a third locking part that, on the opposite side from the first locking part to the second locking part, locks a securing device from the vehicle to the mobility assistance welfare equipment, thereby securing the mobility assistance welfare equipment to the vehicle.

[0038] Therefore, when a load (gravitational acceleration) is applied to the user and the mobility assistance device due to a collision or other incident, the load (gravitational acceleration) on the user is transmitted from the safety device - first locking part - third locking part of the component - securing device - vehicle. On the other hand, the load (gravitational acceleration) on the mobility assistance device is transmitted from the second locking part - third locking part of the component - securing device - vehicle. As a result, by providing this component, a high level of safety can be achieved while minimizing design changes to the mobility assistance device and vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view from the left front of a wheelchair equipped with components for simultaneously attaching a safety device to a mobility assistance device and securing the mobility assistance device to a vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the frame showing the skeletal structure of the aforementioned wheelchair. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a seat belt device in the wheelchair and a restraint device according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprising the aforementioned components. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the aforementioned component. [Figure 5] This is a side view of the aforementioned component, seen from the left. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a wheelchair 2 equipped with components (hereinafter simply referred to as components) 11 and 12 that enable both the attachment of a safety device to a mobility assistance device and the securing of the mobility assistance device to a vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame 3 showing only the skeletal structure of the wheelchair 2. To make the drawings easier to understand, some parts are shown disassembled in Figure 1. In this specification, front, back, left, and right indicate directions as seen from the perspective of a user riding in the wheelchair 2. Components 11 and 12 will be described in detail later. The wheelchair 2, as a mobility assistance device to which components 11 and 12 of this embodiment are applied, is used mounted on a care vehicle or the like, and therefore has high rigidity and is not foldable.

[0041] Wheelchair 2 is constructed by attaching a fabric seat 41, backrest 42, headrest 43 and legrest 44 to a frame 3, and further attaching left and right rear wheels (drive wheels) 511, 512, front wheels (casters) 521, 522, parking brakes 531, 532, side guards 541, 542, armrests 551, 552, footrests 561, 562, and the aforementioned components 11, 12 as well as the seat belt device 6 described later. The frame 3 is assembled by welding and bolting pipes and plates together as described later.

[0042] The rear wheels 511 and 512 are constructed such that, for example, rims 5112 and 5122 fitted with rubber tires 5111 and 5121 are connected to hubs 5114 and 5124 by spokes 5113 and 5123, and these hubs 5114 and 5124 are pivotally supported by axles 5115 and 5125 that extend independently from the frame 3 to the left and right, allowing them to rotate in opposite directions to each other. Support posts 5116 and 5126 are erected on the rims 5112 and 5122 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, for example, every 90 degrees, and handrims 5117 and 5127 are attached to these support posts 5116 and 5126, allowing the rider to drive the rear wheels 511 and 512. The front wheels 521 and 522 are rotatable around the horizontal axis and also around the vertical axis by holders 5211 and 5221, and together with the rear wheels 511 and 512, enable driving and steering (direction).

[0043] Frame 3 is generally constructed by connecting left and right members 31 and 32 with connecting members 33, 34, and 35. Members 31 and 32 are comprised of main frames 311 and 321, backrest pipes 312 and 322, seat pipes 313 and 323, armrest pipes 314 and 324, and legrest pipes 315 and 325.

[0044] Bearing holes 3122 and 3222 are formed at a predetermined height on the lower ends 3121 and 3221 of the backrest pipes 312 and 322, and the axles 5115 and 5125 of the rear wheels 511 and 512 are inserted through each bearing hole 3122 and 3222. Push handles 3129 and 3229 extend rearward from the upper ends 3123 and 3223 of the backrest pipes 312 and 322.

[0045] Below frame 3, the lower ends 3121 and 3221 of the backrest pipes 312 and 322 are connected to the rear ends 3111 and 3211 of the main frames 311 and 321 which extend in the front-rear direction, and the backrest pipes 312 and 322 are erected with a slight backward tilt. The approximately middle portions 3124 and 3224 of the backrest pipes 312 and 3222 and the front ends 3112 and 3212 of the main frames 311 and 321 are connected and reinforced by armrest pipes 314 and 324. Seat pipes 313 and 323 are connected between the predetermined height positions 3141 and 3241 of the armrest pipes 314 and 3241 and the predetermined height positions 3125 and 3225 of the backrest pipes 312 and 3222 which are above the bearing holes 3122 and 3222. A seat 41 is stretched between the left and right seat pipes 313 and 323 using tapping screws or the like. Cushioning materials (not shown) can be attached to the seat 41 as needed using hook-and-loop fasteners or the like.

[0046] The backrest 42 is stretched from the portion of the backrest pipes 312, 322 above the height of the seat pipes 313, 323 towards the upper end portions 3123, 3223, using tapping screws or the like. A mesh pocket or the like (not shown) is appropriately provided on the back of the backrest 42. Side guards 541, 542 are attached between the armrest pipes 314, 324 and the central portions 3132, 3232 of the seat pipes 313, 323. Armrest receivers 3142, 3242 are attached to the upper side of the armrest pipes 314, 324, i.e., towards the backrest pipes 312, 322, and armrests 551, 552 are attached to these armrest receivers 3142, 3242.

[0047] Holders 5211 and 5221 for the front wheels 521 and 522 are attached to the front ends 3112 and 3212 of the main frames 311 and 321. The rear ends 3111 and 3211 of the main frames 311 and 3211 are cut off at an angle from the front top to the rear bottom, forming tipping levers 3113 and 3213.

[0048] Brackets 3114 and 3214 are erected on the main frames 311 and 321 behind the mounting portions of the armrest pipes 314 and 324, and the parking brakes 531 and 532 are mounted on these brackets 3114 and 3214. Hooks 3115 and 3215 for securing S-shaped hooks of wires for securing the vehicle are provided on the front of the bottom surface of the main frames 311 and 321.

[0049] Leg rest pipes 315 and 325 are attached between the front ends 3112 and 3212 of the main frames 311 and 321, from the predetermined height positions 3141 and 3241 on the armrest pipes 314 and 324. Rotating shafts 5611 and 5621, which can tilt between a nearly horizontal front-to-back direction and an upright position, are pivotally supported from the lower ends 3151 and 3251 of the leg rest pipes 315 and 325. Footrests 561 and 562 are attached around these rotating shafts 5611 and 5621 so that they can be raised and retracted to the left and right sides from a nearly horizontal position. In addition, a leg rest 44 is stretched over the intermediate portions 3152 and 3252 of the leg rest pipes 315 and 325.

[0050] In the left and right members 31 and 32 configured as described above, the insides of the main frames 311 and 321 are interconnected by members 33 and 34. More specifically, members 33 and 34 are each composed of two pipes 331, 332; 341, and 342, connected at their midpoints 333 and 343 in an X-shape that can be opened and closed. In this X-shaped open state, the lower ends 3321, 3421; 3311, and 341 of the pipes 332, 342; 331, and 341 are connected to the left and right members 31 and 32, respectively. The upper ends 3312, 3412; 3322, and 3422 of the pipes 331, 341; 332, and 342 are fixed to the left and right seat pipes 313 and 323. In this way, members 33 and 34 are maintained in an X-shaped open state, and the seat 41 is also maintained in an expanded state (stretched).

[0051] The upper ends 3123 and 3223 of the backrest pipes 312 and 322 are detachably fitted with members 35 that can connect them to each other. These members 35 consist of extensions 351 and 352 that fit onto the backrest pipes 312 and 322 to raise the height of the backrest, and a horizontal section 353 that connects the upper ends of the extensions 351 and 352. A headrest 43 is stretched between these extensions 351 and 352 and the horizontal section 353.

[0052] As described above, this wheelchair 2 is designed for vehicle use with improved rigidity. In addition to the basic structure of the wheelchair 2 described above, the wheelchair 2 of this embodiment is equipped with a three-point seat belt device 6. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the seat belt device 6 and a restraint device of one embodiment that includes the aforementioned components 11 and 12. In the seat belt device 6 of this embodiment, similar to the right-hand seat of a car, the seat belt 61 is pulled out from the right shoulder of the passenger. Therefore, a belt anchor 62, a retractor 63, and a shoulder anchor 64 are provided on the right side of the passenger in the wheelchair 2, and the tongue 65 is attached to the buckle 66 on the left side by wrapping the seat belt 61 around from the right side to the left side. Thus, the portion from the belt anchor 62 to the tongue 65 becomes a wrap belt portion 611 that protects the passenger's waist and abdomen, and the portion from the tongue 65 to the shoulder anchor 64 becomes a shoulder belt portion 612 that protects the passenger's chest, realizing the above three-point seat belt.

[0053] The retractor 63 is attached to the seat 41 near the backrest pipe 322 on the right side by an L-shaped bracket 329. The L-shaped bracket 329 ensures that the winding shaft of the retractor 63 is approximately parallel to the axles 5115 and 5125 of the rear wheels 511 and 512. In the upper member 35 of the backrest 42, a U-shaped recess is formed in the right extension 352, which cuts horizontally inward from the side, and this recess becomes the shoulder anchor 64. In this embodiment, a shoulder anchor 64 is also formed in the left extension 351 to allow for parts sharing and to change the seat belt to be pulled out from the user's left shoulder by reversing the mounting of the belt anchor 62, retractor 63, and buckle 66.

[0054] Figure 4 is a perspective view of components 11 and 12 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a side view from the left of a securing device of one embodiment equipped with components 11 and 12. In both components 11 and 12, the left side is the front of the wheelchair 2 and the right side is the rear in the plane of Figure 5. Components 11 and 12 of this embodiment are used to secure the wheelchair 2, which is a mobility assistance welfare device for moving users, to a vehicle when the wheelchair 2 is loaded onto the vehicle. One end of the securing devices 71 and 72 is connected to the rear of the vehicle, and the other end is connected to these components 11 and 12, thereby securing and restraining the wheelchair 2 and the user riding in it to the vehicle in the event of an impact, as will be described later. In the example of Figure 3, the securing devices 71 and 72 are configured with S-shaped hooks 711 and 721 at the ends of wires 712 and 722. The fastening devices 71, 72 and components 11, 12 shown in Figure 5 constitute the device for securing the wheelchair 2 to the vehicle. The wheelchair 2 is also configured with these components 11, 12 together with the seat belt device 6. Fastening devices 71, 72 may also be provided on the front hooks 3115, 3215 of the wheelchair 2, and in this embodiment, the wheelchair 2 is secured to the vehicle at least four points.

[0055] The components 11 and 12 of this embodiment are made of, for example, punched SPFH steel sheets (workable hot-rolled high-tensile steel sheets and strips for automobiles), with a thickness of t=5mm. The first to third locking parts have through-holes 111, 121; 112, 122; 113, 123 formed by the punching process. The external shape of the components 11 and 12 is roughly that of a pear cross-section. The first locking holes 111 and 121 are formed on the narrow top side of the pear, the third locking holes 113 and 123 are formed on the wide bottom side, and the second locking holes 112 and 122 are formed between the first locking holes 111 and 121 and the third locking holes 113 and 123.

[0056] The second locking holes 112,122 of these components 11,12 are through which the portions of the wheels 51,52 that extend inward from the axles 5115,5125 are inserted. For example, the total length L of the components 11,12 is 147 mm, the diameter φ2 of the second locking holes 112,122 is 13 or 14 mm to match the diameter of the axles 5115,5125, and the diameter φ3 of the third locking holes 113,123 is 60 mm. The first locking holes 111,121 are formed in an oval shape with rounded (R-shaped) ends, for example, the major axis W1 is 24 mm, the minor axis W3 is 8 mm, and therefore both ends are semicircular arcs with a diameter of 8 mm, and the length W2 of the parallel portion is 16 mm.

[0057] In the components 11 and 12 configured in this way, as shown in Figure 3, a buckle 66 is attached to the first locking hole 111 in component 11. The buckle 66 is formed by connecting a buckle body 662, which locks the tongue 65 when it is inserted and releases it when the release button 661 is operated, to the first locking hole 111 with a belt 663. The belt 663 is pulled out from the buckle body 662, inserted through the first locking hole 111, and returned to the buckle body 662, thereby connecting the buckle body 662 to the head side of component 11. At this time, the width of the belt 663 is about 50 mm, similar to a standard car seat belt, and the portion that is inserted through the first locking hole 111 is folded in half, and the major axis W1 and minor axis W3 of the first locking holes 111 and 121 are matched to this. The S-shaped hook 711 of the fastening device 71 is hooked into the third locking hole 113.

[0058] In component 12, a belt anchor 62 is attached to the first locking hole 121. The belt anchor 62 is used to lock (fix) the end of the seat belt 61 to it by sewing it to the first locking hole 121. The belt anchor 62 is constructed by connecting an anchor body 621 to which the end of the seat belt 61 is sewn, to the first locking hole 121 with a belt 622. Similar to the buckle 66, the belt 622 is pulled out from the anchor body 621, inserted through the first locking hole 121, and returned to the anchor body 622, thereby connecting the anchor body 622 to the head side of component 12. At this time, the belt 622 is also folded in half where it is inserted through the first locking hole 121. The S-shaped hook 721 of the fastening device 72 is hooked onto the third locking hole 123.

[0059] The securing device and wheelchair 2, using the components 11 and 12 configured in this way, secure the wheelchair 2 to a vehicle when the wheelchair 2, with a user inside, is loaded onto the vehicle for transport. First, the user gets into the wheelchair 2 and, either by themselves or with the help of an assistant, moves the tongue 65 from the right shoulder towards the left abdomen and inserts it into the buckle 66. At this point, the seat belt 61 is pulled out from the retractor 63 and becomes a sash, and both ends of the lap belt portion 611 of the seat belt 61 are locked at the first locking holes 121 and 111, which are the first locking parts on the user's side. The shoulder belt portion 612 is also locked by the retractor 63 through the first locking hole 111 and the shoulder anchor 64, and the user is protected by the wheelchair 2.

[0060] Next, the wheelchair 2 is loaded onto the vehicle using a lift or inclined surface, and on both sides of the wheelchair 2, the third locking holes 113, 123 and front hooks 3115, 3215, which are the third locking parts on the side furthest from the user, are secured to the vehicle with a predetermined tension (without slack) by fasteners 71, 72. Here, the components 11, 12 are connected to both sides of the wheelchair 2 (axles 5115, 5125) by the second locking holes 112, 122, which are the second locking parts, and the first locking holes 111, 121 and the third locking holes 113, 123 are on opposite sides of each other relative to these second locking holes 112, 122. Therefore, depending on how the front and rear fasteners 71 and 72 are tensioned, as shown in Figure 5, the fasteners 71 and 72 will be tensioned within a predetermined angular range θ from the center line V of the first locking holes 111 and 121, the second locking holes 112 and 122, and the third locking holes 113 and 123, which are aligned in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the components 11 and 12. The direction in which the lap belt portion 611 is pulled out will also be approximately in the direction of the center line V.

[0061] Furthermore, the statement that the third locking holes 113, 123 are provided in the opposite direction to the first locking holes 111, 121 relative to the second locking holes 112, 122 means that the third locking holes 113, 123 and the first locking holes 111, 121 should be located on opposite sides of each other, with a line H passing through the center of the second locking holes 112, 122 and perpendicular to the center line V as the boundary. However, the predetermined angular range θ is a predetermined angular range from the center line V and will depend on how the front and rear fasteners 71, 72 are tensioned.

[0062] Therefore, when a load (gravitational acceleration) is applied to the user and wheelchair 2 due to a collision or the like, the load (gravitational acceleration) on the user is transmitted from the seat belt 61 - first locking holes 111, 121 to the third locking holes 113, 123 of components 11, 12 - restraints 71, 72 - vehicle. On the other hand, the load (gravitational acceleration) on wheelchair 2 is transmitted from the second locking holes 112, 122 to the third locking holes 113, 123 of components 11, 12 - restraints 71, 72 - vehicle.

[0063] As a result, by providing these components 11 and 12, the load on the user (gravitational acceleration) can be directly transmitted to the vehicle, eliminating the need to unnecessarily increase the strength of the wheelchair 2 (against deformation of the frame 3, etc.). Furthermore, since the load on the wheelchair 2 (gravitational acceleration) is transmitted directly to the vehicle without being absorbed by the user, user safety can be improved. Moreover, since the seat belt 61 does not need to be stretched between the user and the wheelchair 2, handling is easier, and the protection of the user from the wheelchair 2 and the securing of the wheelchair 2 to the vehicle can be appropriately performed with appropriate tension, further improving safety. In addition, on the vehicle side, there is no need to provide a securing point near the rear hatch to connect one end of the securing devices 71 and 72, and only a securing point near the floor is needed, reducing the need for vehicle modifications.

[0064] Furthermore, in the components 11 and 12 of this embodiment, the first to third locking holes 111, 121; 112, 122; 113, 123, which constitute the first to third locking parts, are arranged in substantially straight lines along the center line V extending in the longitudinal direction of the components 11 and 12. As a result, the direction in which the seat belt 61 is pulled out from the components 11 and 12 toward the user, the longitudinal direction of the components 11 and 12, and the direction in which the fasteners 71 and 72 are pulled out from the components 11 and 12 toward the vehicle are all aligned in substantially straight lines along the center line V, so that the load path is also substantially straight. Therefore, there is no need to unnecessarily increase the strength of the components 11 and 12, and costs can be reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, in the components 11 and 12 of this embodiment, the first locking holes 111 and 121, which are the first locking parts, are formed in an oval shape with both ends of the elongated holes rounded. The belts 622 and 663, which are both ends of the lap belt portion 611 of the seat belt 61, are folded in half and passed through these first locking holes 111 and 121. Therefore, wrinkles in the seat belt and bias towards one end of the elongated hole, which would occur if a strip-shaped seat belt were passed through, for example, a straight elongated hole, are suppressed, and the seat belt 61 can be held uniformly by the entire first locking holes 111 and 121.

[0066] Furthermore, the components 11 and 12 of this embodiment are made from perforated (punched) SPFH steel plates, and the third locking holes 113 and 123, which are the third locking parts, are hook holes with a diameter of φ3 = 60 mm. Therefore, since the S-shaped hooks 711 and 721 connected to the other ends of the fastening devices 71 and 72 from the vehicle are approximately φ = 10 mm and 5 mm thick, the components 11 and 12 can easily lock them.

[0067] Furthermore, the plate thickness of the components 11 and 12 and the ring width W4 of the hook holes (third locking holes 113 and 123) can be determined according to the tensile strength of the SPFH steel plate. Assuming that the load applied to the seat belt during a 50km collision is 16kN, if SPFH590 has a tensile strength of 590MPa and a yield point of 420MPa, and the plate thickness t is 5mm as described above, then the ring width W4 will be 12mm or more.

[0068] In addition to the plate material used in this embodiment, components 11 and 12 can be made of other materials such as belts or rods, which can be used to arrange the first to third locking holes 111, 121; 112, 122; 113, 123, which constitute the first to third locking parts, at predetermined intervals. However, a plate material that is rigid (does not bend or deform) and can expand the rings of the third locking holes 113 and 123 (increases the diameter φ3) is preferable, especially to make it easier to hook the S-shaped hooks 711 and 721.

[0069] Furthermore, by incorporating the components 11 and 12 described above, it is possible to realize a wheelchair 2 with a vehicle-mountable seat belt device 6 that can be securely and easily fastened to a vehicle without the need to unnecessarily increase its strength and with minimal burden on the user. In addition, by configuring the fastening device with the components 11 and 12 described above and the fastening devices 71 and 72, it is possible to realize a fastening device that can easily and inexpensively restrain the user and fasten the wheelchair 2 in the event of an impact.

[0070] In the wheelchair 2, the axles 5115 and 5125 of the rear wheels 511 and 512, which are individually attached to the side frames (31 and 32), are extended inward and fitted into the second locking holes 112 and 122, which serve as second locking parts. Therefore, since these components 11 and 12, which receive the load (gravitational acceleration) on the user and the wheelchair 2 during a collision, are attached to the rear wheels 511 and 512, which have the highest strength in the wheelchair 2, there is no need to unnecessarily increase the strength of the frame 3 of the wheelchair 2, and a wheelchair 2 to which components 11 and 12 can be applied can be realized at a low cost.

[0071] The seat belt 61 of wheelchair 2 may be a two-point seat belt without a retraction mechanism, such as those used in airplanes or express buses. In that case, the ends of the two-point seat belt consisting only of the lap belt portion 611 should be connected to the first locking holes 111 and 121 of the components 11 and 12. However, by using a three-point seat belt device 6 equipped with a retraction mechanism (retractor 63) that also includes the shoulder belt portion 612 and shoulder anchor 64 as described above, and in conjunction with the straightening of the load path of the components 11 and 12, it is possible to realize a wheelchair 2 equipped with a highly safe three-point seat belt, where chest deflection (deformation of the chest) is reduced to, for example, 40 mm or less, which is comparable to that of the rear seat of a car.

[0072] Furthermore, the recesses that function as shoulder anchors 64 are formed by cutting horizontally in a U-shape from the extensions 351 and 352, and the winding shaft of the retractor 63 is positioned so as to be approximately parallel to the axles 5115 and 5125 of the rear wheels 51 and 52. This allows the seat belt 61 to be passed over the user's shoulders and from the inside (next to the neck), parallel to (close to) the chest, and like a sash, thereby reducing chest sagging. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 11,12 Components 111,121 First locking hole 112,122 Second locking hole 113,123 Third locking hole 2 Wheelchairs 3 frames 31,32;33,34;35 Members 311,321 Mainframes 3115, 3215 hooks 312,322 Backrest pipe 3122,3222 bearing holes 313,323 Seat pipe 314,324 Armrest pipe 315,325 Leg rest pipes 331,332; 341,342 pipes 351,352 Extension 353 Horizontal part 41 sheets 42 Backrest 43 Headrest 44 Leg Rest 511, 512 Rear wheels 5115, 5125 axles 521, 522 Front wheels 531,532 Parking brake 541, 542 Side Guard 551,552 Armrest 561,562 Footrest 6. Seat belt system 61 Seat belts 611 Wrap belt section 612 Shoulder strap section 62 Belt Anchor 621 Anchor body 622 Belt 63 Retractor 64 Shoulder Anchor 65 Tang 66 Buckle 661 Release Button 662 Buckle body 663 belt 71,72 Restraining devices 711,721 S-shaped hooks 712,722 wires

Claims

1. In order to enable the loading of a mobility assistance device, which can be moved while the user is protected by safety devices, into a vehicle, the components used to protect the user of the mobility assistance device with the safety devices and to secure the mobility assistance device to the vehicle are as follows: A first locking portion for locking the end of the safety device, A second locking part connects the first locking part to the mobility assistance device, A component for achieving both the attachment of a safety device to a mobility assistance device and the securing of the mobility assistance device to a vehicle, characterized by comprising a third locking portion that locks the end of a securing device extending from the vehicle to the second locking portion, on the opposite side from the first locking portion.

2. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed in the shape of a long plate or strip, and the first to third locking portions are arranged in a substantially straight line in the longitudinal direction.

3. Formed in the shape of a long plate, it is provided as a pair on the left and right of the aforementioned mobility assistance welfare device. The component according to claim 2, characterized in that the first locking portion consists of a locking hole formed in an oval shape with both ends of the elongated hole rounded into semicircular arcs, and the safety device is passed through it after being folded in half.

4. It consists of perforated SPFH steel plates. The component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the third locking portion is a hook hole with a diameter of 60 mm for locking a hook connected to the end of the fastening device.

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