Stairlifts and buildings

Abstract

This device prevents wheelchair users from sliding off the seat when moving their wheelchairs from the ramp, thereby improving the safety of wheelchair users using the ramp. [Solution] The step-removing device 20 for transferring to a vehicle V comprises a table 25 on which a wheelchair W can be placed, a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the table relative to the installation surface 7, a bridge 27 whose upper part when upright is attached to the upper end of the table on the vehicle side via a rotating shaft 27c, and an extendable member 28 that is stored in the space below the table and is configured to extend and retract toward the vehicle. The bridge is configured to be rotatable from an upright state to a horizontal state and to be movable in the horizontal direction. When the extendable member extends toward the vehicle, the bridge rotates from an upright state to a horizontal state and is supported from below by the extendable member, and moves toward the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a step eliminating machine and a building.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a step eliminating elevator that is capable of lowering a wheelchair from a floor of a building to the ground by being provided with a table on which a wheelchair can be placed, an elevating mechanism capable of elevating the table from the height of the floor of the building to the ground, and a moving mechanism capable of moving the table in the horizontal direction at the height of the floor of the building. Further, for example, in order to make it easier to place the wheelchair on the table over a location with uneven portions or to unload the wheelchair from the table, bridges are formed at the front and rear end portions of the table.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] If bridges are formed at the front and rear end portions of the table as in the conventional art, depending on the angle of the bridges, for example, in the case of a user with reduced muscle strength, there is a concern that the wheelchair may slip off the seat when tilted on the bridge, and improvement in safety is required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress slipping of a wheelchair user from the seat when moving the wheelchair from the step eliminating machine, and to improve the safety of the wheelchair user using the step eliminating machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a step-raising device 20 for a wheelchair W used when transferring from a building 1 to a vehicle V, as shown in Figures 1 to 9, The aforementioned wheelchair W is placed on a table 25, A lifting mechanism (link mechanism 23 and actuator 24) for raising and lowering the table 25 relative to the installation surface 7, When in an upright position, the upper part is a bridge 27 attached via a rotating shaft 27c to the upper end of the table 25 at the end on the vehicle V side, The system includes an extendable member 28 housed in the space below the table 25 and configured to extend and retract toward the vehicle V, The bridge 27 is configured to be rotatable from an upright position to a horizontal position, with the pivot point of the rotation axis 27c, and to be movable in the horizontal direction from the horizontal position. When the telescopic member 28 extends toward the vehicle V, the bridge 27 rotates from an upright position to a horizontal position and is supported from below by the telescopic member 28, and further moves toward the vehicle V.

[0007] According to the invention described in claim 1, the upper part of the bridge 27 when it is upright is attached to the upper end of the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side via a pivot shaft 27c, and the telescopic member 28 is stored in the space below the table 25 and is configured to extend and retract toward the vehicle V, so the mounting position of the bridge 27 is located above the position where the telescopic member 28 is stored. The bridge 27 is rotatable from an upright state to a horizontal state with the pivot shaft 27c as the pivot point, and is also configured to move horizontally from the horizontal state. When the telescopic member 28 extends toward the vehicle V, the bridge 27 rotates as if swung up from an upright state to a horizontal state by the telescopic member 28 and is supported from below, and then moves toward the vehicle V, so that the bridge 27 does not tilt at a steep angle. This prevents the wheelchair user from sliding off the seat when moving the wheelchair W from the ramp 20, and improves the safety of the wheelchair user using the ramp 20.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is, for example, as shown in Figures 3 to 9, in the step-raising machine 20 described in claim 1, A connecting portion 26 is integrally provided at the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side, the connecting portion 26 having an elongated hole 26a through which the rotating shaft 27c passes. The elongated hole 26a is located at the upper end of the connecting portion 26 and is formed to be elongated in the direction of expansion and contraction of the expandable member 28.

[0009] According to the invention described in claim 2, a connecting portion 26 is integrally provided at the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side, and the elongated hole 26a is formed to be elongated in the direction of expansion and contraction of the expandable member 28, so that the rotating shaft 27c passed through the elongated hole 26a can move along the elongated hole 26a. Therefore, the bridge 27 attached via the rotating shaft 27c does not simply rotate with the rotating shaft 27c as a pivot point, but is connected to the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side with a play equal to the length of the elongated hole 26a. Furthermore, since the elongated hole 26a is located at the upper end of the connecting portion 26, the lower end of the bridge 27 can be rotated upward with the rotating shaft 27c as a pivot point, making it easy to position the entire bridge 27 horizontally. As a result, the bridge 27 can rotate smoothly by utilizing the play equal to the length of the elongated hole 26a.

[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is, for example, as shown in Figures 6 to 9, in the step-raising machine 20 described in claim 1, The bridge 27 is provided with a stopper portion 27e on the lower space side of the bridge 27 when it is in an upright position. The stopper portion 27e is characterized in that it receives the extension movement of the expandable member 28 that extends toward the vehicle V, and then converts this into an action that moves the bridge 27 toward the vehicle V.

[0011] According to the invention described in claim 3, the bridge 27 is provided with a stopper portion 27e on the lower space side of the bridge 27 when it is in an upright position. The stopper portion 27e receives the extension movement of the telescopic member 28 that extends toward the vehicle V and converts it into a movement that moves the bridge 27 toward the vehicle V. By extending the telescopic member 28 and making contact with the stopper portion 27e, the bridge 27 can be rotated upward and positioned horizontally before being moved toward the vehicle V, and the bridge 27 in that state can be supported from below. This prevents the bridge 27 from tilting at a steep angle, thus preventing the wheelchair user from sliding off the seat when moving the wheelchair W away from the ramp 20, and improving the safety of the wheelchair user using the ramp 20.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is, for example, as shown in Figures 6 to 9, in the step-raising machine 20 described in claim 3, The bridge 27 is provided on the surface of the bridge 27 facing the lower space when it is in an upright position, and is arranged parallel to the stopper portion 27e, and includes a guide portion 27d for guiding the extension and retraction movement of the extension member 28. The guide portion 27d has a guide surface that the expandable member 28 moves in contact with, The bridge 27 is characterized in that, as the telescopic member 28 in contact with the guide surface extends, the bridge 27 rotates with the rotation axis 27c as a pivot point.

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 4, as the telescopic member 28 extends in contact with the guide surface of the guide portion 27d, which is arranged parallel to the stopper portion 27e, the bridge 27 rotates with the rotation axis 27c as a pivot point. This allows for a smooth series of operations, from guiding the extension and retraction of the telescopic member 28 with the guide surface of the guide portion 27d, to stopping the extension of the telescopic member 28 with the stopper portion 27e.

[0014] The invention described in claim 5 is, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, in the step-raising machine 20 described in claim 1, When the expandable member 28 is retracted and stored in the lower space, the lower end of the bridge 27 protrudes below the table 25, shielding the lower space, and the upper end of the bridge 27 protrudes above the table 25.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 5, when the telescopic member 28 is retracted and stored in the space below, the lower end of the bridge 27 protrudes below the table 25, shielding the space below. This improves the appearance and prevents people from putting their hands or fingers into the space below the table 25, thereby improving the safety of people, including wheelchair users, who use the stairlift 20. Furthermore, since the upper end of the bridge 27 protrudes above the table 25, the upper end of the bridge 27 functions as a wall to prevent the wheelchair W from falling off during normal operation or when the table 25 is being raised or lowered. This improves the safety of wheelchair users who use the stairlift 20.

[0016] The invention described in claim 6 is the step-raising device 20 described in claim 1, The device is characterized by having a biasing member that biases the bridge 27 in the opposite direction to the vehicle V when the expandable member 28 contracts in the opposite direction to the vehicle V.

[0017] According to the invention described in claim 6, when the telescopic member 28 is retracted in the direction opposite to the vehicle V, a biasing member is provided that biases the bridge 27 in the direction opposite to the vehicle V. Therefore, when the telescopic member 28 is retracted in the direction opposite to the vehicle V, the biasing member can move the bridge 27 in the direction opposite to the vehicle V. If the bridge 27, which has moved in the direction opposite to the vehicle V, is no longer supported from below by the telescopic member 28, it will rotate around the pivot point 27c and return from a horizontal to an upright position.

[0018] The invention described in claim 7 includes, for example, an outer wall 2 provided with an entrance / exit 4, as shown in Figures 1 to 9. A building 1 in which the step eliminating device 20 according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is arranged close to the outer wall 2 at a position facing the entrance 4, A terrace 6 is provided on the outer side of the outer wall 2, The terrace 6 has a floor 9 extending outdoors from the outer wall 2, and a recess 6a that is recessed from the floor 9 to the ground at a position facing the entrance 4 and is open to the side opposite to the outer wall 2, The step eliminating device 20 is installed at the bottom of the recess 6a, wherein the upper surface of the table 25 in the state of being lifted by the lifting means 23, 24 is flush with the floor 9.

[0019] According to the invention recited in claim 7, the step eliminating device 20 can be installed at the bottom of the recess 6a formed in the terrace 6, and the upper surface of the table 25 of the step eliminating device 20 in the state of being lifted by the lifting means 23, 24 is flush with the floor 9. Therefore, the step eliminating device 20 can be normally used as a part of the terrace 6, and transfer to the vehicle V can be performed from the outdoor terrace 6, which provides excellent convenience. Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the wheelchair user from slipping off the seat when moving the wheelchair from the step eliminating device, and improve the safety of the wheelchair user using the step eliminating device. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the terrace provided on the outer side of the outer wall of the building. [Figure 2] It is a top view showing the step eliminating device and the building. [Figure 3] It is a side view showing the step eliminating device. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing the step eliminating device. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing the table of the step eliminating device. [Figure 6]This is a schematic side view illustrating how the bridge rotates in conjunction with the movement of the expandable member. [Figure 7] This is a schematic side view illustrating how the bridge rotates in conjunction with the movement of the expandable member. [Figure 8] This is a schematic side view illustrating how the bridge rotates in conjunction with the movement of the expandable member. [Figure 9] This is a schematic side view illustrating how the bridge rotates in conjunction with the movement of the expandable member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are subject to various technically preferred limitations for carrying out the present invention, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0023] Note that the directions in the following embodiments and illustrated examples are set solely for the purpose of explanation, with the step-raising device 20, which is the main component, serving as the starting point. Arrow X indicates the front (direction of travel) of vehicle V, arrow X' indicates the rear of vehicle V, arrow Y indicates the side of vehicle V, arrow Y' indicates the side of building 1, arrow Z indicates upward, and arrow Z' indicates downward. Furthermore, arrows X and X' are the same as the front-to-back direction of building 1, with arrow X indicating the right side of the front-to-back direction of building 1 and arrow X' indicating the left side of the front-to-back direction of building 1. In addition, arrows Y and Y' are the same as the front-to-back direction (front-to-back direction) of terrace 6 including the step-raising device 20, with arrow Y indicating the front (front side) and arrow Y' indicating the rear (back side).

[0024] <1. Building Overview> In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a building. This building 1 is equipped with a structure that resists external forces such as earthquakes and the load of the building 1 itself, and the type, material, and construction method of the structure may be any. For example, building 1 may be made of wood, light steel frame, heavy steel frame, reinforced concrete, or steel-reinforced concrete. Building 1 may have a wall structure, a rigid frame structure, or both as its structure. Building 1 may be constructed using a panel method, a wooden frame method, a frame panel method, a frame wall method, a unit method, a steel frame method, a reinforced concrete method, or a steel-reinforced concrete method, or a combination of two or more of these. In one example, building 1 is a wooden house with a wall structure constructed using a wood panel bonding method. It may also be a building for purposes other than residential use.

[0025] Building 1 has an exterior wall 2 on the outer perimeter of its first floor that separates the interior from the exterior. The exterior wall 2 is provided with an entrance 4 through which residents can pass. Specifically, an opening 3 is formed in the exterior wall 2 so as to extend from the floor surface of the first floor to near the ceiling, and a sash 5 is attached to the opening 3. The sash 5 is a sliding patio door sash. However, the sash 5 may be a single-sliding or pocket-type patio door. In addition, the sash 5 may be a sash other than a patio door sash, such as an opening and closing door sash such as a back door sash.

[0026] Building 1 has a terrace 6 installed on the outside of the outer wall 2. Terrace 6 is constructed outdoors on a concrete foundation 7 built on the ground near the exterior wall 2.

[0027] <2. Terraces and step-climbing devices> The concrete base 7 is exposed above the ground surface. The upper surface 7a of the concrete base 7 is level ground, and its upper surface 7a is set one step lower than the lower end of the entrance 4 of the outer wall 2. The concrete base 7 may be installed integrally with the foundation of the building 1, or it may be installed separately from the foundation. The concrete base 7 may also be a walkway.

[0028] A concave pit 8 is formed in the upper surface 7a of the concrete base 7 at a position facing the entrance 4. The inner circumferential surface and bottom of the pit 8 form the surface of the concrete base 7. The pit 8 is a rectangular recess, and its inner circumferential surface is a rectangular prism. The inner circumferential surface slopes vertically down from the edge of the upper surface 7a surrounding the pit 8. A water slope is formed at the bottom of the pit to allow for drainage.

[0029] On both the left and right sides of pit 8 (both sides in the X-X' direction), floor 9 extends outdoors from the lower part of outer wall 2. The floor 9 is in contact with the lower part of the exterior wall 2. The floor 9 may also be fixed to the lower part of the exterior wall 2. The floor 9 consists of floorboards supported from below by a support structure. For example, the support structure has multiple joists and multiple beams, the joists are fixed to the concrete foundation 7 while standing upright on the concrete foundation 7, the beams are horizontally stretched between the upper ends of the joists so as to be parallel to the outer surface of the exterior wall 2, and the floorboards, which constitute the floor 9, are laid on the beams. If necessary, the support structure may have multiple joists perpendicular to the outer surface of the exterior wall 2, these joists may be stretched between the beams, and the floorboards, which constitute the floor 9, may be laid on the joists. The floor 9 is formed by arranging multiple floorboards side by side to form a deck floor.

[0030] The floorboards forming floor 9 may be made of wood or resin. Incidentally, in recent years, there has been a growing demand for the realization of a decarbonized society through the promotion of carbon neutrality, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to virtually zero, and for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the construction industry... In addition, efforts are underway to make buildings out of wood, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions. If wood is used as the material for the floor, that floor can contribute to promoting carbon neutrality, realizing a decarbonized society, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

[0031] The floorboards forming the floor 9 may be resin molded products in which wood powder is dispersed in a resin base material. If wood powder is used as a raw material for resin molded products, the amount of resin used can be reduced, and wood powder generated at lumber mills can be effectively utilized. The use of wood powder contributes to the realization of an energy-saving society, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, the realization of a decarbonized society, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[0032] The floorboards forming floor 9 may be made of non-combustible material. Alternatively, tiles made of non-combustible material may be used instead of deck flooring. In other words, floor 9 may be formed by arranging multiple tiles on the upper surface of a tile base.

[0033] The height of the floor 9 is aligned with the height of the lower edge of the doorway 4, or slightly lower than the height of the lower edge of the doorway 4. The height of the floor 9 is aligned with the height of the floor in the area inside the exterior wall 2, for example, a room or corridor, or slightly lower than the height of the floor in that area. In this embodiment, the area inside the exterior wall 2 is defined as room 1a.

[0034] Of the terrace 6, the area between the left and right floors 9,9 and facing the entrance 4 is a recessed area 6a with a pit 8 at its bottom. That is, the recessed area 6a is recessed from the floor 9 down to the upper surface 7a of the concrete base 7. The recessed area 6a is open to the upper side and also to the opposite side of the outer wall 2. Both the left and right sides of the recessed area 6a (both sides in the X-X' direction) are closed off by fall prevention walls 10 to prevent the wheelchair W from falling out.

[0035] A step-leveling device 20 is positioned in such a recess 6a. More specifically, the step-raising device 20 is fitted into the pit 8 and positioned between the left and right floors 9 and the left and right fall-prevention walls 10. Furthermore, the step-raising device 20 is positioned as close to the outer wall 2 as possible without hindering its operation, and is positioned such that when the window of the sash 5 is opened and the opening 3 is opened, it is possible to immediately move from room 1a onto the step-raising device 20.

[0036] The step-climbing device 20 is an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic lifter, and more specifically, a table lifter. A table lifter is also called a lift table. The stairlift 20 is placed at the bottom of the pit 8 and is detachably fixed to the pit 8. As shown in Figure 2, the stairlift 20 is used to lift and lower a wheelchair W and / or a person on it. When the step-raising device 20 is raised, the top surface of the step-raising device 20 is flush with the floor 9. When the step-raising device 20 is lowered, the top surface of the step-raising device 70 becomes flush with the top surface 7a of the concrete base 7. Normally, the stairlift 20 is stopped in the raised position, but it operates when a wheelchair W and / or a person is being raised or lowered.

[0037] As shown in Figures 4 to 9, the step-climbing machine 20 comprises a base 21, a link mechanism 23, an actuator 24, a table 25, a bridge 27, and a linear actuator 28.

[0038] The base 21 is provided in a rectangular frame shape. The base 21 is placed at the bottom of the pit 8. The base 21 is detachably fixed to the side of the pit 8 by, for example, multiple screw-type braces (not shown). These screw-type braces are arranged along the rectangular frame shape of the base 21.

[0039] The link mechanism 23 is a foldable cross-link mechanism, such as a scissor mechanism. The lower part of the link mechanism 23 is connected to the base 21. The link mechanism 23 unfolds upward and folds downward. Since such a cross-link mechanism is used in the step-lifting device 20, the step-lifting device 20 is also called a scissor lifter.

[0040] The actuator 24 is connected to the link mechanism 23. The actuator 24 drives the link mechanism 23 to fold or unfold it. The actuator 24 consists of a ball screw transmission mechanism and a motor, etc. The actuator 24 may be a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

[0041] The table 25 maintains a horizontal position and is connected to the top of the link mechanism 23. When the link mechanism 23 is extended, the table 25 rises, and when the link mechanism 23 is folded, the table 25 lowers. When table 25 is raised and stopped, it is adjacent to the lower edge of doorway 4, and the height of table 25 is either the same as the height of the lower edge of doorway 4 or slightly lower than the height of the lower edge of doorway 4. When table 25 is raised and stopped, the top surface of table 25 is flush with the floor 9. When table 25 is lowered and stopped, the top surface of table 25 is flush with the top surface 7a of concrete base 7.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 to 9, the bridge 27 is rotatably attached to the upper end of the vehicle V-side end (arrow Y-side end) of the table 25, and as shown in Figures 6 to 9, it rotates so as to swing upward as the linear actuator 28 moves toward the vehicle V-side (arrow Y-side). The upper surface of Bridge 27, which is swung upwards, is the surface through which wheelchairs W pass.

[0043] The area around the step-raising device 20 may be covered with a cover such as a bellows. For example, the upper end of the cover is attached to the perimeter of the table 25, and the cover hangs down from the table 25. The cover deforms vertically in accordance with the raising and lowering of the table 25.

[0044] The step-climbing device 20 can be operated by a remote controller or control panel (not shown) to operate the actuator 24 and the linear actuator 28. The remote controller may be an information and communication terminal such as a smartphone with dedicated application software installed.

[0045] <3. Detailed information on key components of the step-climbing device> The table 25 has a table body 25a, three side walls 25b, and a connecting portion 26.

[0046] The table body 25a refers to the part on which the wheelchair W is placed, and its top surface has the same design as the floor 9. That is, since the floor 9 is a deck floor as described above, the top surface of the table body 25a is also made up of multiple floorboards arranged to form a deck floor. As a result, when the table 25 is raised and stopped, the left and right floors 9 and the table body 25a are arranged side by side, forming what appears to be a continuous deck floor.

[0047] The three side walls 25b are fixed to the end face of the table body 25a on the building 1 side (Y' side) and to the end faces on one side and the other side (X side and X' side) in the frontage direction of the building 1. More specifically, the upper ends of these three side walls 25b are fixed to the three side end faces of the table body 25a and do not protrude above the upper surface of the table body 25a. As a result, unevenness caused by the three side walls 25b is less likely to occur between the left and right floors 9 and the table body 25a.

[0048] Furthermore, the lower ends of the three side walls 25b protrude below the underside of the table body 25a. This allows the space below the table body 25a to be shielded by the three side walls 25b.

[0049] Furthermore, the edge of the table body 25a on the vehicle V side does not have a side wall 25b because a wheelchair W will pass over it. In addition, the upper end of the vehicle V side end (front end: tip) of the table body 25a is provided with a mounting portion for the bridge body 27a of the bridge 27 to be rotatably attached. For this reason, the end face of the table body 25a on the vehicle V side (arrow Y side) does not have a side wall 25b.

[0050] The connecting portion 26 is integrally or integrally provided at the front end of each of the three side walls 25b, which are fixed to the end faces of one side and the other side (X side and X' side) in the frontage direction of the building 1. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 26 is formed in the shape of a right triangle or trapezoid when viewed from the side, with the right-angle portion positioned above and toward the side wall 25b.

[0051] Each connecting portion 26 has an elongated hole 26a formed therein. The elongated holes 26a are formed to be long in the front-to-back direction (Y-Y' direction) along the upper edge of the connecting portion 26. The rotating shaft 27c of the bridge 27, which will be described later, passes through this elongated hole 26a. The rotating shaft 27c is movable along the elongated hole 26a. As a result, the table 25 and the bridge 27 are connected via the connecting part 26.

[0052] The bridge 27 includes a bridge body 27a, a rib wall 27b, a rotating shaft 27c, a guide portion 27c, and a stopper portion 27e.

[0053] The bridge body 27a is a rectangular plate in plan view. The upper part of this bridge body 27a is attached to the vehicle V-side end of the table body 25a via a pivot shaft 27c. In other words, the bridge 27 (bridge body 27a) is rotatably attached to the vehicle V-side end of the table 25 (table body 25a).

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, when the step-climbing device 20 is raised and stopped, and when the step-climbing device 20 is moving up and down, the upper end of the bridge body 27a is located above the upper surface of the table 25, and the lower end is located below the upper surface of the table 25. In other words, the bridge body 27a is in a vertical position in both normal and upward / downward operation, and its upper end functions as a wall to prevent the wheelchair W from falling off. Furthermore, when the bridge body 27a is standing vertically, the height of its lower end relative to the table body 25a may be set to be approximately equal to the height of the lower ends of the three side walls 25b relative to the table body 25a. The space below the table body 25a is shielded on all four sides by the three side walls 25b and the vertically standing bridge body 27a.

[0055] On the other hand, when wheelchair W passes over the bridge, as shown in Figures 3 to 5 and 7 to 9, the bridge body 27a rotates so that its lower end swings upward as the linear actuator 28 moves toward the vehicle V, and the entire structure becomes horizontal. When the entire structure is horizontal, the parts that were located above the top surface of the table 25 when it was in a vertical position (both during normal operation and during raising / lowering) will now be in contact with the top surface of the table 25. Furthermore, all parts that were located below the top surface of the table 25 will now be positioned above the top surface of the table 25.

[0056] The tip of the bridge body 27a, which is now in a horizontal position, (the end on the vehicle V side) is placed on the tip of the vehicle-side bridge VB (the end on the building 1 side).

[0057] The rib walls 27a are integrally formed on the left and right edges (both sides in the X-X' direction) of the bridge body 27a when it is in a horizontal position. In other words, the bridge 27 has the bridge body 27a and the rib walls 27b, and is formed in a U-shape in cross-section. The rib wall 27a functions as a rib to prevent the wheelchair W from falling off in the X or X' direction, and only exhibits its effect of preventing the wheelchair W from falling off when the entire structure is in a horizontal position.

[0058] Although not shown in the diagram, the side wall of the pit 8 on the vehicle V side has grooves formed therein to house the rib walls 27a on both sides, which are integrally formed with the bridge body 27a.

[0059] The rotating shaft 27c is integrally formed with the bridge body 27e and the rib wall 27b, and protrudes laterally. The laterally protruding rotating shaft 27c passes through the elongated hole 26a formed in the connecting portion 26. Since the rotating shaft 27c is movable along the elongated hole 26a, the bridge 27 is also movable along the elongated hole 26a. In other words, there is a degree of play in the movement of the bridge 27 equal to the length of the elongated hole 26a. Furthermore, the tip of the rotating shaft 27c is provided with a disc-shaped retaining portion (not shown) that is larger in diameter than the rotating shaft 27c. The retaining portion is detachable from the rotating shaft 27c.

[0060] The guide section 27d is for guiding the extension and retraction of the rod 28a in the linear actuator 28, and is provided on the lower surface of the bridge body 27a. This guide section 27d comprises an inclined section having an inclined surface and a horizontal section having a downward-facing horizontal surface. When the bridge body 27a is positioned horizontally, the downward-facing horizontal surface of the horizontal section of the guide section 27d is located at the lowest position, and the inclined surface of the inclined section is formed to gradually slope toward the horizontal surface of the horizontal section. Therefore, the rod 28a extends along the inclined surface of the inclined section and then extends along the horizontal surface of the horizontal section. When the horizontal section rests on the rod 28a, the bridge body 27a is positioned horizontally.

[0061] The stopper portion 27e stops the extension movement of the rod 28a in the linear actuator 28, and is positioned adjacent to the guide portion 27d and provided on the lower surface of the bridge body 27a. When the bridge body 27a is positioned horizontally, the lower surface of the stopper portion 27e is located below the horizontal portion of the guide portion 27d. Therefore, the rod 28a extends along the horizontal plane of the horizontal portion of the guide portion 27d and then stops when it comes into contact with the side surface of the stopper portion 27e. Furthermore, when the bridge body 27a is positioned horizontally, the stopper portion 27e is positioned closer to the building 1 side than the front end surface (vehicle V side end surface) of the bridge body 27a. As a result, a space is formed at the front end of the bridge body 27a for the tip of the vehicle-side bridge VB to overlap.

[0062] Furthermore, an insertion hole may be formed on the side surface of the stopper portion 27e into which the tip of the rod 28a is inserted. When the rod 28a extends along the horizontal plane of the horizontal portion of the guide portion 27d and is then inserted into the insertion hole formed on the side surface of the stopper portion 27e, the bridge 27 is fixed at the position of the rotation axis 27c and the position of the insertion hole, making it less likely for the wheelchair W to sway from side to side when it passes over it.

[0063] The linear actuator 28 is mounted on the underside of the table body 25a and housed in the space below the table body 25a. This linear actuator 28 includes a rod 28a that extends and retracts along the direction of arrow Y-Y' from a main body attached to the lower surface of the table body 25a. As the tip of the rod 28a extends toward the vehicle V to make the bridge 27 horizontal, it comes into contact with the underside (back surface: the side opposite to the side through which the wheelchair W passes), the inclined and horizontal parts of the guide part 27d, and the stopper part 27e. Also, as the bridge 27 returns to its original state (vertically upright), the rod 28a retracts in the reverse order of extension, with its tip coming into contact with each part.

[0064] Furthermore, multiple linear actuators 28 may be provided. That is, multiple linear actuators 28 may be attached to the lower surface of the table body 25a and housed in the space below the table body 25a. In this case, the extension operation of the rods 28a in each linear actuator 28 will be performed synchronously. In addition, guide portions 27d and stopper portions 27e may be provided in the same number as the linear actuators 28, or guide portions 27d and stopper portions 27e formed to be wide in the X-X' direction may be used to accommodate multiple linear actuators 28.

[0065] <4. Vehicle-side bridge> The vehicle-side bridge VB is provided on vehicle V. More specifically, with the sliding door on the side of vehicle V open, it can be extended toward building 1 (Y' side) from the opening of the sliding door by sliding horizontally from a predetermined storage position in the floor section. The vehicle-side bridge VB has a width that allows wheelchair W to pass through. A drive unit (e.g., a linear actuator) for sliding the vehicle-side bridge VB is provided at a predetermined storage position in the floor section.

[0066] In this embodiment, the vehicle-side bridge VB slides horizontally to move toward the building 1 side (Y' side), but it is not limited to this, and may also be a structure that extends toward the building 1 side by rotating one end around a pivot axis. In this case, since it becomes difficult to adjust the movement dimension of the vehicle-side bridge VB in the Y-Y' direction, only the bridge body 29a is adjusted for movement in the Y-Y' direction.

[0067] The vehicle-side bridge VB can be operated by a remote controller (not shown) or by an operation panel mounted on the vehicle V. The remote controller may be an information and communication terminal such as a smartphone with dedicated application software installed. The information and communication terminal may be the same as the information and communication terminal used to operate the step-lifting device 20.

[0068] <5. How to use the terrace and the step-climbing device> Normally, the stair lift 20 is stopped in the raised position. Therefore, wheelchair users W and other residents can go outside from room 1a through the doorway 4 and spend time on the table 25 and the floor 9.

[0069] When a wheelchair user W boards vehicle V from terrace 6, first, vehicle V is parked with a predetermined distance between it and terrace 6, and the sliding door of the seat where the wheelchair user W will sit is opened. After opening the sliding door, the wheelchair user W or their caregiver operates the remote controller to activate the vehicle-side bridge VB. The vehicle-side bridge VB then slides horizontally from a predetermined storage position in the floor portion of vehicle V and extends from the opening on the side of vehicle V toward the building 1 side (Y' side).

[0070] When a wheelchair user W moves to vehicle V, the user remains in their wheelchair W and exits through the doorway 4 to the table 25 of the stairlift 20. The user or their caregiver operates the remote controller of the stairlift 20 to activate it. The actuator 24 then drives the link mechanism 23 to fold it, causing the table 25 to lower. At this time, the user can support themselves by placing their hands on the floor 9 while remaining in their wheelchair W. Once the table 25 has lowered to the target height for the vehicle-side bridge VB, the user operates the remote controller to stop the table 25 from lowering.

[0071] Next, the wheelchair user or caregiver operates the remote controller to extend the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28 toward the vehicle V. As shown in Figure 7, the bridge 27 is pushed up by the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28 and gradually rotates upward. Then, as the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28 is further extended and the tip of the rod 28a moves along the inclined surface of the inclined part of the guide part 27d, the bridge 27 is pushed up further and gradually rotates upward, as shown in Figure 8. As the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28 is further extended and the tip of the rod 28a moves along the horizontal plane of the horizontal part of the guide part 27d, the bridge 27 is positioned entirely horizontally, as shown in Figure 9. When the rod 28a is further extended, the tip of the rod 28a hits the stopper part 27e and stops. Furthermore, as the bridge 27 moves from a vertically positioned state to a horizontally positioned state, the rotation axis 27c moves appropriately along the elongated hole 26a. This allows the bridge 27 to rotate smoothly by utilizing the play equal to the length of the elongated hole 26a.

[0072] When bridge 27 is moved so that its tip overlaps the tip of vehicle-side bridge VB, which extends from vehicle V, the step-climbing device 20 and vehicle V are connected by both bridges 27 and VB. At this time, the wheelchair user or caregiver operates the remote controller to operate actuator 24 and drive link mechanism 23 to adjust the height of table 25 as appropriate, so that the tip of bridge 27 overlaps the tip of vehicle-side bridge VB, which extends from vehicle V. When this situation occurs, the user of wheelchair W moves along bridge 27 and vehicle-side bridge VB to approach the seat in vehicle V. Then, with wheelchair W close to the seat in vehicle V, the user of wheelchair W uses their own strength or the assistance of a caregiver to transfer from wheelchair W to the seat in vehicle V. This allows the user of wheelchair W to board vehicle V from terrace 6.

[0073] Wheelchair W will be loaded onto vehicle V or stored in building 1.

[0074] Conversely, when a wheelchair user W moves from vehicle V to terrace 6, first, vehicle V is parked with a predetermined distance between it and terrace 6, and the sliding door of the seat where the wheelchair user W will sit is opened. After opening the sliding door, the wheelchair user W or their caregiver operates the remote controller to move the vehicle-side bridge VB, extending the vehicle-side bridge VB from the opening on the side of vehicle V toward the building 1 side (Y' side).

[0075] Next, the wheelchair user or caregiver operates the remote controller to lower the table 25 of the ramp lift 20 to the target height position on the vehicle-side bridge VB. Once it reaches that height, they operate the remote controller to stop the table 25 from lowering.

[0076] Next, the wheelchair user or caregiver operates the remote controller to move the bridge 27 so that it extends toward the vehicle V side. Then, the bridge 27 is moved toward the vehicle V side until its tip overlaps with the tip of the vehicle-side bridge VB that has extended toward the vehicle V side. When this situation occurs, a wheelchair W is placed on bridge 27 and vehicle-side bridge VB. The user of wheelchair W then moves from their seat to wheelchair W using their own strength or with the help of a caregiver. After that, the user of wheelchair W moves across bridge 27 and vehicle-side bridge VB while seated in wheelchair W, and onto table 25. At this time, the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28 is returned to the building 1 side, and the bridge 27 is rotated to return to its original state. The step-climbing machine 20 is equipped with a biasing means that is activated when the rod 28a is retracted, and biases the bridge 27 in the direction from a horizontal position to an upright position. Although not shown in the figures, such a biasing means is, for example, a biasing member such as a coil spring provided between the side wall 25b and the rotating shaft 27c, and the biasing member can pull the bridge 27 towards the side wall 25b (table 25 side). In other words, the bridge 27 can be moved towards the building 1 side, which is in the opposite direction from the vehicle V. Since the biasing member is biasing the bridge 27 to move towards the building 1 side, when the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28 is returned to the building 1 side as described above, the rotating shaft 27c moves along the elongated hole 26a, and at the same time, the bridge 27 moves towards the building 1 side. Subsequently, the bridge 27 rotates with the pivot point 27c so that the end that was located on the vehicle V side moves downward. As a result, the bridge 27 returns from a horizontal position to an upright position. If a biasing member is not provided, the bridge 27 can be pushed back towards the building 1 by hand, thereby rotating the bridge 27 around the pivot point 27c and returning it from a horizontal to an upright position.

[0077] Subsequently, the user or caregiver operates the remote controller of the stairlift 20 to activate it. The actuator 24 then drives the link mechanism 23 to extend it, causing the table 25 to rise to the height of the floor 9 and move onto the terrace 6. At this point, the user can support themselves by placing their hands on the floor 9 while remaining in the wheelchair W. The user then enters the building through the doorway 4 from the table 25 of the stairlift 20 while still in the wheelchair W.

[0078] <6. Summary> (1) The upper part of the bridge 27 when it is upright is attached to the upper end of the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side via a pivot shaft 27c, and the linear actuator 28 is housed in the space below the table 25, and the rod 28a is configured to extend and retract toward the vehicle V, so the mounting position of the bridge 27 is located above the position where the linear actuator 28 is housed. The bridge 27 is configured to rotate freely from an upright position to a horizontal position with the pivot shaft 27c as the pivot point, and to move freely in the horizontal direction from the horizontal position, and when the rod 28a extends toward the vehicle V, the bridge 27 rotates as if being swung up from an upright position to a horizontal position by the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28 and is supported from below, and then moves toward the vehicle V, so that the bridge 27 does not tilt at a steep angle. This prevents the wheelchair user from sliding off the seat when moving the wheelchair W from the ramp 20, thereby improving the safety of the wheelchair user using the ramp 20.

[0079] (2) A connecting portion 26 is integrally provided at the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side, and the elongated hole 26a is formed to be elongated in the direction of extension and retraction of the rod 28a in the linear actuator 28, so that the rotating shaft 27c passed through the elongated hole 26a can move along the elongated hole 26a. Therefore, the bridge 27 attached via the rotating shaft 27c does not simply rotate with the rotating shaft 27c as the pivot point, but is connected to the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side with a play equal to the length of the elongated hole 26a. Furthermore, since the elongated hole 26a is located at the upper end of the connecting portion 26, the lower end of the bridge 27 can be rotated upward with the rotating shaft 27c as the pivot point, making it easy to position the entire bridge 27 horizontally. As a result, the bridge 27 can rotate smoothly by utilizing the play equal to the length of the elongated hole 26a.

[0080] (3) The bridge 27 is equipped with a stopper portion 27e on the lower side of the bridge 27 when it is in an upright position. The stopper portion 27e receives the extension movement of the rod 28a in the linear actuator 28 that extends toward the vehicle V, and converts this into a movement that moves the bridge 27 toward the vehicle V. By extending the rod 28a and making contact with the stopper portion 27e, the bridge 27 can be rotated upward and positioned horizontally before being moved toward the vehicle V, and the bridge 27 in that state can be supported from below. This prevents the bridge 27 from tilting at a steep angle, thus preventing the wheelchair user from sliding off the seat when moving the wheelchair W away from the ramp 20, and improving the safety of the wheelchair user using the ramp 20.

[0081] (4) As the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28, which is in contact with the guide surface of the guide portion 27d arranged parallel to the stopper portion 27e, extends, the bridge 27 rotates with the rotation axis 27c as the pivot point. This allows for a smooth series of operations, from guiding the extension and retraction of the rod 28a with the guide surface of the guide portion 27d, to stopping the extension of the rod 28a with the stopper portion 27e.

[0082] (5) When the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28 is retracted and stored in the space below, the lower end of the bridge 27 protrudes below the table 25 and shields the space below, thereby improving the appearance and preventing people from putting their hands or fingers into the space below the table 25, thereby improving the safety of people, including wheelchair users, who use the stairlift 20. Furthermore, since the upper end of the bridge 27 protrudes above the table 25, the upper end of the bridge 27 functions as a wall to prevent the wheelchair W from falling off during normal operation or when the table 25 is being raised or lowered. This improves the safety of wheelchair users who use the stairlift 20.

[0083] (6) When the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28 is retracted in the direction opposite to the vehicle V, a biasing member is provided that biases the bridge 27 in the direction opposite to the vehicle V. Therefore, when the rod 28a of the linear actuator 28 is retracted in the direction opposite to the vehicle V, the biasing member can move the bridge 27 in the direction opposite to the vehicle V. If the bridge 27 that has moved in the direction opposite to the vehicle V is no longer supported from below by the linear actuator 28, it will rotate around the pivot point 27c and return from a horizontal to an upright position.

[0084] (7) The step-raising device 20 can be installed at the bottom of the recess 6a formed in the terrace 6, and when the step-raising device 20 is raised by the lifting means 23, 24 the top surface of the table 25 becomes flush with the floor 9, so the step-raising device 20 can normally be used as part of the terrace 6, and it is convenient to be able to transfer from the outdoor terrace 6 when transferring to the vehicle V.

[0085] <7. Variation> The embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to those described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Modifications are described below. The following modifications may be combined as much as possible. Furthermore, in each of the following modifications, elements common to the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0086] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the elongated hole 26a is located at the upper end of the connecting portion 26 and is formed to be elongated along the extension and retraction direction of the rod 28a in the linear actuator 28. However, in this modified example, although not shown, the elongated hole is provided from the upper end to the lower end of the connecting portion and is formed to be elongated along a direction that intersects the extension and retraction direction of the rod 28a in the linear actuator 28 when viewed from the side. In other words, the elongated hole in this modified example is formed to be elongated in the vertical direction (Z-Z' direction) when viewed from the side, or it is formed to gradually incline upward as it approaches the vehicle V, and the upper end of the elongated hole is located above the upper surface of the table 25.

[0087] In this modified example, the bridge 27 is connected to the vehicle V-side end of the table 25 with a play equal to the length of the elongated hole. Furthermore, since the upper end of the elongated hole is located above the upper surface of the table 25 at the connection point, it is easy to rotate the lower end of the bridge 27 upward with the pivot point 27c, thereby positioning the entire bridge 27 horizontally. As a result, the bridge 27 can rotate smoothly by utilizing the play equal to the length of the elongated hole 26a.

[0088] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment, the guide portion 27d and the stopper portion 27e are arranged adjacent to each other. However, in this modified example, although not shown in the figures, the guide portion and the stopper portion are arranged side by side but spaced apart from each other. That is, a gap is formed between the guide portion and the stopper portion in this modified example. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] V Vehicle VB Vehicle-side bridge W Wheelchair 1. Building 2. Exterior walls 3 aperture 4 Entrance / exit 5 sash 6 Terrace 6a Recess 7. Concrete foundation 7a Top side 8 Pit 9 beds 10 Fall prevention wall 20 Step-climbing machine 21 Base 23 Link mechanism 24 Actuators 25 tables 25a Table body 25b side wall 26 Connecting part 26a long hole 27 Bridge 27a Bridge body 27b Rib wall 27c Rotation axis 27d Guide section 27e Stopper 28 Linear Actuator 28a Rod

Claims

1. A wheelchair ramp-climbing device used when transferring from a building to a vehicle, The aforementioned table on which the wheelchair can be placed, A lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the table relative to the installation surface, When in an upright position, the upper part is a bridge attached via a pivot axis to the upper end of the end of the table on the vehicle side, It comprises an extendable member that is housed in the space below the table and is configured to extend and retract toward the vehicle, The bridge is configured to be rotatable from an upright position to a horizontal position, with the pivot point of the rotation axis, and to be movable in the horizontal direction from the horizontal position. A step-leveling device characterized in that, when the telescopic member extends toward the vehicle, the bridge rotates from an upright position to a horizontal position and is supported from below by the telescopic member, and further moves toward the vehicle.

2. In the step-raising device according to claim 1, A connecting portion is integrally provided at the vehicle-side end of the table, through which the rotating shaft passes; The step-leveling device is characterized in that the elongated hole is located at the upper end of the connecting portion and is formed to be elongated in the direction of expansion and contraction of the expandable member.

3. In the step-raising device according to claim 1, The bridge is provided with a stopper on the lower space side of the bridge when it is in an upright position. The aforementioned stopper is characterized in that it receives the extension movement of the extendable member that extends toward the vehicle, and then converts that movement into a movement that moves the bridge toward the vehicle.

4. In the step-raising device according to claim 3, The bridge is provided on the lower space-side surface of the bridge when it is in an upright position and is arranged parallel to the stopper portion, and includes a guide portion for guiding the extension and retraction movement of the extension member. The guide portion has a guide surface that the expandable member contacts and moves with, A step-leveling device characterized in that, as the telescopic member in contact with the guide surface extends, the bridge rotates around the pivot point.

5. In the step-raising device according to claim 1, A step-leveling device characterized in that, when the expandable member is retracted and stored in the lower space, the lower end of the bridge protrudes below the table and obstructs the lower space, and the upper end of the bridge protrudes above the table.

6. In the step-raising device according to claim 1, A step-leveling device characterized by comprising a biasing member that biases the bridge in the direction opposite to the vehicle when the telescopic member is retracted in the direction opposite to the vehicle.

7. It has an exterior wall with an entrance / exit, A step-raising device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is located in a building where it is positioned close to the outer wall facing the entrance, A terrace is installed on the outside of the aforementioned exterior wall. The aforementioned terrace is The floor extending outdoors from the aforementioned exterior wall, It has a recess that extends from the floor to the ground at a position facing the aforementioned entrance and exit, and opens to the opposite side of the outer wall, The step-leveling device is installed at the bottom of the recess, A building characterized in that the upper surface of the table, when raised by the lifting mechanism, becomes flush with the floor.

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