Stairlifts and buildings

Abstract

This improves the overall safety of wheelchair users using the ramp by preventing wheelchair users from sliding off the seat when moving their wheelchairs from the ramp, and by preventing the wheelchairs from falling off. [Solution] A step-raising device 20 for a wheelchair W used when transferring from a building 1 to a vehicle V, comprising a table 25 on which the wheelchair W is placed, a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the table 25 relative to the installation surface 7, and a bridge 29 housed in the space below the table 25 and provided to be movable toward the vehicle V, wherein the bridge 29 has a flat bridge body 29a that does not have any parts protruding upward, the bridge body 29a is positioned horizontally and its upper surface is close to the lower surface of the table 25.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a step-eliminating elevator that can lower a wheelchair from a building floor to the ground by being provided with a table on which a wheelchair can be placed, an elevating mechanism capable of moving the table up and down from the height of the building floor to the ground, and a moving mechanism capable of moving the table horizontally at the height of the building floor. Further, for example, bridges are formed at the front and rear end portions of the table to make it easy to place the wheelchair on the table or remove the wheelchair from the table while crossing an uneven portion.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0003]

PATENT DOCUMENT 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] When bridges are formed at the front and rear end portions of the table as in the related 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 slide off the seat when tilted on the bridge. Further, improvement in safety is demanded including prevention of the wheelchair from falling off after being connected to the vehicle-side bridge.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to generally improve the safety of a wheelchair user using a step eliminator by suppressing the wheelchair user from sliding off the seat when moving the wheelchair from the step eliminator, preventing the wheelchair from falling off, and the like.

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 11, for example, 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, The system includes a bridge 29 housed in the space below the table 25 and provided to be movable toward the vehicle V, The bridge 29 has a flat bridge body 29a that does not have any portion that protrudes upward, The bridge body 29a is characterized by being positioned horizontally, with its upper surface close to the lower surface of the table 25.

[0007] According to the invention described in claim 1, the bridge 29 is housed in the space below the table 25 and is provided to be movable toward the vehicle V. The bridge 29 has a flat bridge body 29a that does not have any parts that protrude upward. The bridge body 29a is positioned horizontally and its upper surface is close to the lower surface of the table 25, so that the upper surface of the bridge body 29a can be brought as close as possible to the table 25. This makes it possible to minimize the height difference between the table 25 and the bridge 29, thereby preventing the wheelchair user from sliding off the seat when moving the wheelchair W from the ramp 20, and improving 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 11, in the step-raising machine 20 described in claim 1, The lifting means 23, 24 are further provided with fall prevention walls 10 erected on one and the other sides to prevent the wheelchair W placed on the table 25 from falling to the side. The aforementioned fall prevention wall 10 has a plurality of protective plates 11 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction and are standing upright. The multiple protective plates 11 are configured to be movable toward the vehicle V, On the surfaces of the multiple protective plates 11 facing the lifting means 23, 24, a groove 12 is formed that penetrates from the upper surface to the lower surface of the protective plate 11. The bridge 29 is characterized in that it further has protrusions 29b that are integrally or integrally provided on one and the other side ends of the bridge body 29a and are inserted into the grooves 12 of the protective plate 11.

[0009] According to the invention described in claim 2, a groove 12 is formed on the surface of the lifting means 23, 24 side of a plurality of protective plates 11 that are configured to be movable toward the vehicle V, and the protective plate 11 has a protrusion 29b that is integrally or integrally provided on one and the other side ends of the bridge body 29a and is inserted into the groove 12 of the protective plate 11. As a result, the height position of the bridge 29 can be freely changed along the groove 12 of the plurality of protective plates 11, and the protective plate 11 into which the protrusion 29b is inserted can also be moved toward the vehicle V in conjunction with the movement of the bridge 29 toward the vehicle V. In other words, as the bridge 29 is moved, the protective plate 11 that constitutes the fall prevention wall 10 can also be moved. As a result, even after the bridge 29 is connected to the vehicle-side bridge VB, the protective plate 11 can prevent the wheelchair W placed on the flat bridge body 29a, which does not have any upwardly protruding parts, from falling off, thereby improving the safety of wheelchair users using the step-climbing device 20.

[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is, for example, as shown in Figures 4 and 11, in the step-raising machine 20 described in claim 2, The vertical dimension of the protrusion 29b is set to be longer than the distance between adjacent upper and lower protective plates 11 in the vertical direction.

[0011] According to the invention described in claim 3, the vertical dimension of the protrusion 29b is set to be longer than the distance between adjacent upper and lower protective plates 11 in the vertical direction. Therefore, even if the protrusion 29b is positioned at an intermediate point between adjacent upper and lower protective plates 11 in the vertical direction, these adjacent upper and lower protective plates 11 can be moved simultaneously toward the vehicle V. As a result, even if the bridge 29 is moved toward the vehicle V at any height position, the protective plates 11 can function as fall prevention walls. Therefore, even after the bridge 29 is connected to the vehicle-side bridge VB, the protective plates 11 can prevent the wheelchair W placed on the flat bridge body 29a, which does not have any upwardly protruding parts, from falling, thereby improving the safety of wheelchair users using the step-climbing device 20.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is, for example, as shown in Figures 4 to 11, in the step-raising machine 20 described in claim 2, The upper end of the protrusion 29b is characterized in that it is formed to protrude above the upper surface of the bridge body 29a.

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 4, since the upper end of the protrusion 29b is formed to protrude above the upper surface of the bridge body 29a, the protective plate 11, into which the upper end of the protrusion 29b is inserted, is formed, can be reliably moved toward the vehicle V side as the bridge 29 moves. As a result, even after the bridge 29 is connected to the vehicle-side bridge VB, the protective plate 11 can prevent the wheelchair W, which is placed on the flat bridge body 29a that does not have any upwardly protruding parts, from falling off, thereby improving the safety of wheelchair users using the step-climbing device 20.

[0014] The invention described in claim 5 is, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, in the step-raising machine 20 described in claim 1, The lifting means 23, 24 are further provided with anti-drop walls 10 erected on one and the other sides to prevent the wheelchair W placed on the table 25 from falling to the side. The aforementioned fall prevention wall 10 is configured to be movable toward the vehicle V, A long groove 12 is formed on the surface of the fall prevention wall 10 on the side of the lifting means 23, 24, in the vertical direction. The bridge 29 is characterized in that it further has protrusions 29b that are integrally or integrally provided on one and the other side ends of the bridge body 29a and are inserted into the grooves 12 of the fall prevention wall 10.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 5, a vertically elongated groove 12 is formed on the surface of the anti-detachment wall 10, which is configured to be movable toward the vehicle V, on the side of the lifting means 23, 24, and the bridge 29 has a protrusion 29b that is integrally or integrally provided on one and the other side ends of the bridge body 29a and is inserted into the groove 12 of the anti-detachment wall 10. As a result, the height position of the bridge 29 can be freely changed along the groove 12, and the anti-detachment wall 10, into which the protrusion 29b is inserted in the groove 12, can also be moved toward the vehicle V in conjunction with the movement of the bridge 29 toward the vehicle V. In other words, since the anti-detachment wall 10 can be moved at the same time as the bridge 29 is moved, even after the bridge 29 is connected to the vehicle-side bridge VB, the anti-detachment wall 10 can prevent the wheelchair W placed on the flat bridge body 29a, which does not have any upwardly protruding parts, from falling off, thereby improving the safety of wheelchair users using the step-climbing device 20.

[0016] The invention described in claim 6 is, for example, as shown in Figures 1, 3, 8 to 11, in the step-raising machine 20 described in claim 1, When in an upright position, the upper end further includes a ramp plate 27 attached via a rotating shaft to the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side. The ramp plate 27 is characterized in that when the bridge 29 is moved toward the vehicle V side, the ramp plate 27 is supported from below by the bridge 29.

[0017] According to the invention recited in claim 6, since the slope plate 27 is attached to the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side, the attachment position of the slope plate 27 is located above the position where the bridge 29 is stored. The upper end of the slope plate 27 in the upright state is attached to the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side via a rotation shaft, and when the bridge 29 is moved to the vehicle V side, the slope plate 27 is supported from below by the bridge 29. Therefore, the slope plate 27, which is supported from below by the bridge 29 arranged as close to the table 25 as possible, can form a slope between the table 25 and the bridge 29 at a relatively gentle angle. This suppresses the wheelchair user from slipping off the seat when moving the wheelchair W from the step eliminating machine 20, and can improve the safety of the wheelchair user using the step eliminating machine 20.

[0018] The invention recited in claim 7, as shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 11, comprises an outer wall provided with an entrance, A building in which the step eliminating machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is arranged close to the outer wall at a position facing the entrance, A terrace is installed on the outer side of the outer wall, The terrace a floor extending outdoors from the outer wall, and a recess that is recessed from the floor to the ground at a position facing the entrance and is open to the side opposite to the outer wall, The step eliminating machine is installed at the bottom of the recess, wherein the upper surface of the table that has been raised by the elevating means is flush with the floor.

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

[0020] According to the present invention, the safety of wheelchair users using a stairlift can be improved overall by preventing the wheelchair user from sliding off the seat when moving the wheelchair from the stairlift, and by preventing the wheelchair from falling off. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a terrace located on the outside of the building's exterior wall. [Figure 2] This is a top view showing a stairlift and a building. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a step-climbing device. Note that the length of the fall prevention wall in the YY' direction is shown as shorter to illustrate the lifting mechanism. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the bridge body and the anti-detachment wall. [Figure 5] These are plan, side, and front views of the bridge. [Figure 6] These are plan, side, and front views showing the protective plate. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing the bridge's protruding portion inserted into the groove of the protective plate. [Figure 8] This is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the fall prevention wall and bridge, which are key components of the step-climbing machine. [Figure 9] This is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the fall prevention wall and bridge, which are key components of the step-climbing machine, and the movement mode of the bridge. [Figure 10] This is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the fall prevention wall and bridge, which are key components of the step-climbing machine, and an example of how the protective plate moves. [Figure 11] This is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the fall prevention wall and bridge, which are key components of the step-climbing machine, and an example of how the protective plate moves. [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 the fall prevention walls 10 of the step-climbing device 20. The fall prevention walls 10 can prevent the wheelchair W from falling off when transferring to the vehicle V side by the step-climbing device 20.

[0035] A step-leveling device 20 is positioned in the recess 6a. More specifically, the portion of the step-raising device 20 positioned between the left and right fall-prevention walls 10 is fitted into the pit 8. 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 in the lowered position, the top surface of the step-raising device 20 becomes flush with the upper 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 Figure 3, the step-climbing device 20 comprises a base 21, a link mechanism 23, an actuator 24, a table 25, a ramp plate 27, a drive unit 28, and a bridge 29.

[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 1 and 3, the ramp plate 27 is rotatably attached at its upper end to the vehicle V-side end (arrow Y-side end) of the table 25, and as shown in Figures 3, 8 to 11, it rotates so as to swing upward as the bridge 29 moves toward the vehicle V-side (arrow Y-side). The upper surface of the ramp board 27, which is swung upward, is the surface through which the wheelchair W passes.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 to 9, the bridge 29 is provided to be movable from the underside of the table 25 toward the vehicle V. The bridge 29 is positioned horizontally at least when moved toward the vehicle V, and the upper surface of the bridge 29 when moved toward the vehicle V is the surface through which the wheelchair W passes. Furthermore, the bridge 29 is configured to move back and forth between the space below the table 25 and the vehicle V side by means of a drive unit 28.

[0044] 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.

[0045] The step-climbing device 20 can be operated by a remote controller or control panel (not shown) to operate the actuator 24 and the drive unit 28. The remote controller may be an information and communication terminal such as a smartphone with dedicated application software installed.

[0046] <3. Detailed information on key components of the step-climbing device> The table 25 has a table body 25a and three side walls 25b.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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. Furthermore, the height of the lower ends of the three side walls 25b relative to the table body 25a is set to be approximately equal to the height of the lower end of the ramp body 27a relative to the table body 25a when the ramp body 27a, described later, is standing vertically. Therefore, the space below the table body 25a is shielded on all four sides by the three side walls 25b and the ramp body 27a when it is standing vertically.

[0050] 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 end (front end: tip) of the table body 25a on the vehicle V side is provided with a mounting portion for the ramp body 27a of the ramp plate 27 to be rotatably attached. For this reason, the end (front end: tip) of the table body 25a on the vehicle V side does not have a side wall 25b.

[0051] The ramp plate 27 has a ramp body 27a. The ramp plate 27 in this embodiment may also have a rib wall 27b. Note that some of the figures representing this embodiment show the rib wall 27b while others do not; however, this does not affect the understanding of the figures.

[0052] The ramp body 27a is a rectangular plate in plan view. Although not shown in the diagram, a mounting portion is provided on the side edge of the table body 25a of the ramp body 27a. This mounting portion is attached to the mounting portion on the vehicle V side end of the table body 25a via a pivot shaft, so that when the ramp is upright, the upper end of the ramp plate 27 (ramp body 27a) is rotatably attached to the vehicle V side end of the table 25 (table body 25a).

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, when the step-raising device 20 is in its normal state and stopped raised, and when the step-raising device 20 is moving up and down, the upper end of the ramp body 27a is located at approximately the same height as the table body 25a of the table 25, and the lower end is located below the table 25. In other words, the ramp body 27a is in a vertical position in both the normal state and when it is moving up and down, and the part located below the part attached to the table 25 (the attachment part mentioned above) functions as a shielding plate that blocks the space below the table body 25a.

[0054] On the other hand, when wheelchair W is passing through, as shown in Figures 8 to 11, the ramp body 27a rotates so that its lower end swings upward as the bridge 29 moves toward the vehicle V, resulting in the entire ramp becoming gently sloped. In other words, the slope body 27a is in a gently sloping state when its upper end is at the height of the vehicle V-side end of the table body 25a, and its lower end is at the height of the upper surface of the bridge body 29a of the bridge 29 that has moved to the vehicle V side. That is, there is a gentle downward slope from the building 1 side to the vehicle V side.

[0055] The tip of the slope body 27a, which has a gentle slope overall, (the end on the vehicle V side) comes into contact with the upper surface of the bridge body 29a of the bridge 29, which has moved towards the vehicle V side.

[0056] The rib walls 27a are integrally formed on both the left and right edges (both sides in the X-X' direction) of the slope body 27a. In other words, when the slope plate 27 has both the slope body 27a and the rib walls 27b, it 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.

[0057] If the ramp plate 27 has rib walls 27b, although not shown in the figures, grooves are formed in the side wall of the pit 8 on the vehicle V side to accommodate the rib walls 27a at both side edges which are integrally formed with the ramp body 27a.

[0058] The bridge 29 has a bridge body 29a and a protrusion 29b.

[0059] The bridge body 29a is a rectangular plate in plan view. This bridge body 29a is moved from a state where it is stored in the space below the table body 25a by being pushed out toward the vehicle V by the drive device 28, and is placed between it and the vehicle-side bridge VB, thereby functioning as a means of assisting wheelchair W from getting on and off. The bridge body 29a has no upwardly protruding parts, such as the rib wall 27a of the ramp plate 27, on its upper surface, which is the surface through which the wheelchair W passes. Furthermore, the bridge body 29a also has no downwardly protruding parts. In other words, the bridge body 29a of this embodiment has no protruding parts on either its upper or lower surface, except for the part to which the drive device 28 is connected.

[0060] The drive unit 28 is connected to the bridge body 29a and includes, for example, a linear actuator as the main body that moves the bridge body 29a back and forth between the space below and the vehicle V side. The drive unit 28 also includes a holding part 28a that holds such a main body within the space below the table body 25a. The holding part 28a is attached to the underside of the table body 25a, and the main body of the drive unit 28 and the bridge body 29a connected to the main body can be positioned as close as possible to the underside of the table body 25a.

[0061] In this embodiment, the bridge body 29a is consistently positioned horizontally from the state in which it is stored in the space below the table body 25a to the state after it has been moved toward the vehicle V side. Furthermore, the upper surface of the bridge body 29a is positioned close to the lower surface of the table body 25a. This makes it possible to minimize the height difference between the upper surface of the table body 25a and the upper surface of the bridge body 29a. Specifically, the height difference can be reduced to about the thickness of the table body 25a.

[0062] When the bridge 29 moves from its stored position in the space below the table body 25a to the position where it is placed across the vehicle-side bridge VB, its tip (the end on the vehicle V side) pushes the ramp plate 27 upward. After the tip moves beyond the lower end of the ramp plate 27 towards the vehicle V side, the upper surface of the bridge body 29a comes into contact with the lower end of the ramp plate 27.

[0063] The protrusions 29b are integrally provided on one and the other (X side and X' side) side ends of the bridge body 29a. Furthermore, the protrusions 29b are provided on the front ends (vehicle V side ends) of both ends of the bridge body 29a. The vertical dimension of the protrusion 29b is set to be longer than the thickness dimension of the bridge body 29a. Furthermore, the upper end of the protrusion 29b protrudes above the upper surface of the bridge body 29a, while the lower end (lower end surface) is flush with the lower surface of the bridge body 29a.

[0064] In this embodiment, the protrusion 29b is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. That is, in this embodiment, the bridge 29 has rectangular parallelepiped protrusions 29b attached to both sides of one end of the bridge body 29a, which is a rectangular plate material, so that they protrude upward. In this embodiment, the protrusion 29b is integrally provided with the bridge body 29a by welding or the like, but it may also be integrally provided by, for example, screw fastening.

[0065] Such protrusions 29b are inserted into grooves 12 formed in the multiple protective plates 11 that constitute the fall prevention wall 10, and are slidable along the grooves 12.

[0066] <4. Fall prevention wall> Next, we will describe the fall prevention wall 10 provided by the step-climbing device 20, which closes both the left and right sides (both sides in the X-X' direction) of the recess 6a and prevents the wheelchair W placed on the table 25 and bridge 29 from falling to the side.

[0067] Each of the left and right fall prevention walls 10 has a plurality of protective plates 11 arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction and standing upright, and a support means (not shown) for supporting the plurality of protective plates 11.

[0068] Multiple protective plates 11 are arranged so as to be aligned along the same vertical plane. That is, each of the multiple protective plates 11 is standing vertically, and these protective plates 11 are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, the fall prevention wall 10 having multiple protective plates 11 is perceived as if it were a single wall.

[0069] Of the protective plate 11, a groove 12 is formed on the front end of the protective plate 11, on the side facing the link mechanism 23 and actuator 24, which are the lifting and lowering means, extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the protective plate 11. In the state before the bridge 29 is operated, the grooves 12 formed on each of the multiple protective plates 11 are arranged in a straight line along the vertical direction.

[0070] The protrusion 29b of the bridge 29 is inserted into the groove 12. As the table 25 moves vertically by the link mechanism 23 and actuator 24, the protrusion 29b of the bridge 29 moves along the upper and lower grooves 12 in the multiple protective plates 11.

[0071] The groove width of the recessed groove 12 is set to be slightly shorter than the thickness dimension of the protrusion 29b. Also, the groove depth of the recessed groove 12 is set to be shorter than the protrusion dimension of the protrusion 29b from the bridge body 29a. As a result, when the protrusion 29b is inserted into the recessed groove 12, it can slide freely along the recessed groove 12.

[0072] The support means, although not shown in the figures, is configured to support multiple protective plates 11 in a vertically upright position, and to support multiple protective plates 11 in a manner that allows them to move toward the vehicle V. The support means in this embodiment are, for example, support columns installed on the front end (vehicle V side) and rear end (building 1 side) of each of the left and right fall prevention walls 10. The support column has a first divided column erected on the side of the lifting mechanism of the multiple protective plates 11 and a second divided column erected on the opposite side, and the multiple protective plates 11 are arranged between these first and second divided columns. Furthermore, the first and second divided columns have support parts that support each protective plate 11 in a state where it can slide freely in the Y-Y' direction. As a means of supporting the protective plates 11 so that they can slide freely in the Y-Y' direction, mechanisms such as rails, pulleys, rollers, and bearing units may be appropriately employed. Furthermore, because each protective plate 11 is capable of sliding freely, a small gap is formed between adjacent protective plates 11 in the vertical direction.

[0073] The fall prevention wall 10, configured as described above, is designed so that each protective plate 11 slides by being pushed out toward the vehicle V side or pulled back toward the building 1 side by a protrusion 29b provided on the side end of the bridge body 29a. The upper end of the protrusion 29b is formed to protrude above the upper surface of the bridge body 29a. Therefore, when a protective plate 11 slides toward the vehicle V side by the protrusion 29b, it is always positioned above the upper surface of the bridge body 29a, and thus the protective plate 11 can perform its function of preventing the wheelchair W from falling to the side.

[0074] Furthermore, the vertical dimension of the protrusion 29b is set to be longer than the distance between adjacent upper and lower protective plates 11 in the vertical direction. As a result, even if the protrusion 29b is positioned midway between adjacent upper and lower protective plates 11 in the vertical direction, the adjacent protective plates 11 can be slid simultaneously.

[0075] <5. 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] <6. 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.

[0079] 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).

[0080] 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 stairlift 20's remote controller to activate it. The actuator 24 then drives the link mechanism 23 to fold it, causing the table 25 to lower. As the table 25 lowers, the protrusion 29b of the bridge 29 slides along the groove 12 of the fall prevention wall 10. As the table 25 descends, the user can support themselves by placing their hands on the floor 9 while remaining in the wheelchair W. Once the table 25 has descended to the target height position on the vehicle-side bridge VB, the descent of the table 25 is stopped by operating the remote controller.

[0081] Next, the wheelchair user or caregiver operates the remote controller to move the bridge 29 so that it extends toward the vehicle V side. At this time, the ramp plate 27 is pushed up by the bridge 29 and rotates upward. After the tip of the bridge 29 has moved toward the vehicle V side beyond the lower end of the ramp plate 27, the upper surface of the bridge body 29a comes into contact with the lower end of the ramp plate 27. As the bridge 29 continues to move toward the vehicle V side, the entire ramp plate 27 becomes gently inclined.

[0082] Furthermore, as the bridge 29 moves, the protective plates 11 on the left and right fall prevention walls 10 also move simultaneously. That is, when the table 25 is lowered to an arbitrary height position and the bridge body 29a is slid toward the vehicle V side, the protrusion 29b inserted into the groove 12 causes the protective plate 11 to slide toward the vehicle V side at the same time. The protective plate 11, which has been slid toward the vehicle V side by the protrusion 29b, can prevent the wheelchair W from falling to the side.

[0083] When the bridge 29 is moved so that its tip overlaps the tip of the vehicle-side bridge VB that extends from the vehicle V side, the step-climbing device 20 and the vehicle V are connected by both bridges 29 and VB. At this time, the wheelchair user or caregiver operates the remote controller to operate the actuator 24 and drive the link mechanism 23 to adjust the height of the table 25 as appropriate, so that the tip of the bridge 29 overlaps the tip of the vehicle-side bridge VB that extends from the vehicle V side. At this time, it is preferable to adjust the height so that the protrusion 29b does not protrude from the groove 12.

[0084] When the tip of bridge 29 and the tip of vehicle-side bridge VB overlap, the user of wheelchair W moves along the ramp board 27, bridge 29, and vehicle-side bridge VB to approach the seat of vehicle V. Then, with wheelchair W close to the seat of vehicle V, the user of wheelchair W uses their own strength or the help of an assistant to transfer from wheelchair W to the seat of vehicle V. This allows the user of wheelchair W to board vehicle V from terrace 6.

[0085] Wheelchair W will be loaded onto vehicle V or stored in building 1.

[0086] 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).

[0087] Next, the wheelchair user or caregiver operates the remote controller to lower the table 25 of the ramp lift 20 to the desired height on the vehicle-side bridge VB. Once it reaches that height, they operate the remote controller to stop the table 25 from descending. As the table 25 descends, the protrusion 29b of the bridge 29 slides along the groove 12 of the fall prevention wall 10.

[0088] Next, the wheelchair user or caregiver operates the remote controller to move the bridge 29 so that it extends toward the vehicle V side. Then, the bridge 29 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. Furthermore, as the bridge 29 moves, the protective plates 11 on the left and right fall prevention walls 10 also move simultaneously.

[0089] When this situation occurs, a wheelchair W is placed on the bridge 29 and the vehicle-side bridge VB. The user of the wheelchair W then transfers from the seat to the wheelchair W using their own strength or with the help of a caregiver. After that, the user of the wheelchair W moves across the bridge 29 and the vehicle-side bridge VB, and also across the ramp board 27, to reach the table 25. At this time, the bridge 29 is slid towards the building 1 side, and at the same time, the protective board 11 is also moved towards the building 1 side to return to its original position. The ramp board 27 also rotates to return to its original position.

[0090] 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 deploy, causing the table 25 to rise to the height of the floor 9 and move onto the terrace 6. As the table 25 rises, the protrusion 29b of the bridge 29 slides along the groove 12 of the fall prevention wall 10. As the table 25 rises to the height of the floor 9, the user can support themselves by placing their hands on the floor 9 while remaining in their wheelchair W. Afterwards, the user enters the building through the entrance 4 from the top of the table 25 of the ramp 20 while still in their wheelchair W.

[0091] <7. Summary> (1) The bridge 29 is housed in the space below the table 25 and is movably mounted toward the vehicle V. The bridge 29 has a flat bridge body 29a that does not have any parts protruding upward. The bridge body 29a is positioned horizontally, and its upper surface is close to the lower surface of the table 25. This allows the upper surface of the bridge body 29a to be brought as close as possible to the table 25. This minimizes the height difference between the table 25 and the bridge 29, thereby preventing the wheelchair user from sliding off the seat when moving the wheelchair W from the ramp 20, and improving the safety of the wheelchair user using the ramp 20.

[0092] (2) A groove 12 is formed on the surface of the multiple protective plates 11 that are configured to move toward the vehicle V, on the side of the lifting means 23, 24, and penetrates from the upper surface to the lower surface of the protective plate 11. The bridge 29 has a protrusion 29b that is integrally or integrally provided on one and the other side ends of the bridge body 29a and is inserted into the groove 12 of the protective plate 11. As a result, the height position of the bridge 29 can be freely changed along the groove 12 of the multiple protective plates 11, and the protective plate 11 into which the protrusion 29b is inserted can also be moved toward the vehicle V in conjunction with the movement of the bridge 29 toward the vehicle V. In other words, as the bridge 29 is moved, the protective plate 11 that constitutes the fall prevention wall 10 can also be moved. As a result, even after the bridge 29 is connected to the vehicle-side bridge VB, the protective plate 11 can prevent the wheelchair W placed on the flat bridge body 29a, which does not have any upwardly protruding parts, from falling off, thereby improving the safety of wheelchair users using the step-climbing device 20.

[0093] (3) The vertical dimension of the protrusion 29b is set to be longer than the distance between adjacent upper and lower protective plates 11 in the vertical direction. Therefore, even if the protrusion 29b is positioned at the midpoint between adjacent upper and lower protective plates 11 in the vertical direction, these adjacent upper and lower protective plates 11 can be moved simultaneously toward the vehicle V. As a result, even if the bridge 29 is moved toward the vehicle V at any height position, the protective plates 11 can function as fall prevention walls. Therefore, even after the bridge 29 is connected to the vehicle-side bridge VB, the protective plates 11 can prevent the wheelchair W placed on the flat bridge body 29a, which does not have any upwardly protruding parts, from falling, thereby improving the safety of wheelchair users using the step-climbing device 20.

[0094] (4) Since the upper end of the protrusion 29b is formed to protrude above the upper surface of the bridge body 29a, the protective plate 11, into which the upper end of the protrusion 29b is inserted, is formed, can be reliably moved toward the vehicle V side as the bridge 29 moves. As a result, even after the bridge 29 is connected to the vehicle-side bridge VB, the protective plate 11 can prevent the wheelchair W, which is placed on the flat bridge body 29a that does not have any upwardly protruding parts, from falling off, thereby improving the safety of wheelchair users using the step-climbing device 20.

[0095] (5) Since the ramp plate 27 is attached to the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side, the mounting position of the ramp plate 27 is located above the position where the bridge 29 is stored. When the ramp plate 27 is upright, its upper end is attached to the end of the table 25 on the vehicle V side via a pivot axis, and when the bridge 29 is moved to the vehicle V side, the ramp plate 27 is supported from below by the bridge 29. Therefore, the ramp plate 27, which is supported from below by the bridge 29 which is positioned as close as possible to the table 25, can form a ramp between the table 25 and the bridge 29 at a relatively gentle angle. This suppresses 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.

[0096] (6) 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.

[0097] <8. 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.

[0098] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the fall prevention wall 10 had a configuration having multiple protective plates 11 arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction and standing vertically. However, the fall prevention wall in this modified example is composed of a single wall body (which may also be described as a single plate, a single wall, etc.). More specifically, the fall prevention wall 10 in this modified example is configured to be movable toward the vehicle V, and a vertically elongated groove 12 is formed on the side of the fall prevention wall 10 that is on the side of the link mechanism 23 and actuator 24, which are the means of raising and lowering. The bridge 29 has protrusions 29b that are integrally or integrally provided on one and the other side ends of the bridge body 29a and are inserted into the groove 12 of the fall prevention wall 10. In other words, the fall prevention wall 10 in this modified example slides by being pushed toward the vehicle V side or pulled back toward the building 1 side by the protrusions 29b provided on the side ends of the bridge body 29a.

[0099] Furthermore, the upper end of the fall prevention wall 10 is formed to protrude above the upper surface of the bridge body 29a. Furthermore, the upper end of the fall prevention wall 10 is positioned below or at the same height as the upper surface of the table body 25a when it is in its highest position. In other words, the upper end of the fall prevention wall 10 is not positioned above the upper surface of the table body 25a when it is in its highest position.

[0100] In this modified example, the fall prevention wall 10 is supported by a support means (not shown), similar to the embodiment described above. That is, the support means in this modified example is configured to support the fall prevention wall 10 in a vertically upright position, and to support the fall prevention wall 10 in a state that allows it to move back and forth between the vertically erected positions on one and the other sides of the link mechanism 23 and actuator 24, which are the lifting and lowering means, and the vehicle V side.

[0101] With the step-climbing machine 20 equipped with the fall-prevention wall 10 configured as described above, when the table 25 is lowered to any height position and the bridge body 29a is slid toward the vehicle V side, the protrusion 29b inserted into the groove 12 causes the fall-prevention wall 10 to slide toward the vehicle V side at the same time. In other words, no matter what height position the table 25 is set to, when the bridge body 29a is slid toward the vehicle V side, the entire fall-prevention wall 10 moves toward the vehicle V side.

[0102] According to this modified example, a vertically elongated groove 12 is formed on the surface of the anti-detachment wall 10, which is configured to be movable toward the vehicle V, on the side of the lifting means 23, 24. The bridge 29 has protrusions 29b that are integrally or integrally provided on one and the other side ends of the bridge body 29a and inserted into the groove 12 of the anti-detachment wall 10. As a result, the height position of the bridge 29 can be freely changed along the groove 12, and the anti-detachment wall 10, into which the protrusions 29b are inserted, can also be moved toward the vehicle V in conjunction with the movement of the bridge 29 toward the vehicle V. In other words, since the anti-detachment wall 10 can be moved at the same time as the bridge 29 is moved, even after the bridge 29 is connected to the vehicle-side bridge VB, the anti-detachment wall 10 can prevent the wheelchair W placed on the flat bridge body 29a, which does not have any upwardly protruding parts, from falling off, thereby improving the safety of wheelchair users using the step-climbing device 20.

[0103] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment, the protrusion 29b is provided at the front end of the bridge body 29a and the groove 12 is formed at the front end of the fall prevention wall 10 (multiple protective plates 11). However, in this modified example, the protrusion 29b is provided at the rear end of the bridge body 29a and the groove 12 is formed near the rear end of the fall prevention wall 10 (multiple protective plates 11). However, it is not limited to this, and the protrusion 29b may be provided in the center of the bridge body 29a in the front-rear direction, and the groove 12 may also be formed near the center of the fall prevention wall 10 (multiple protective plates 11) in the front-rear direction. In this modified example, the positional relationship between the protrusion 29b and the recessed groove 12 and the bridge body 29a and the fall prevention wall 10 (multiple protective plates 11) refers to the view from a plan perspective.

[0104] In other words, the position of the protrusion 29b relative to the bridge body 29a and the position of the groove 12 relative to the fall prevention wall 10 (multiple protective plates 11) can be appropriately changed within a range that does not hinder the operation of other elements such as the table 25, the ramp plate 27, and the bridge 29. Furthermore, the protrusions 29b may be provided at the front and rear ends of the bridge body 29a, and correspondingly, the grooves 12 may be provided near the front and rear ends of the fall prevention wall 10 (multiple protective plates 11). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0105] 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 11 Protective plate 12 grooves 20 Step-climbing machine 21 Base 23 Link mechanism 24 Actuators 25 tables 25a Table body 25b side wall 27 Slope board 28 Drive unit 28a Holding part 29 Bridge 29a Bridge body 29b Convex part

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, It comprises a bridge housed in the space below the table and provided to be movable toward the vehicle, The bridge has a flat bridge body that does not have any portion that protrudes upward, The bridge body is positioned horizontally, and its upper surface is close to the lower surface of the table, making it a step-leveling device.

2. In the step-raising device according to claim 1, The lifting mechanism is further equipped with anti-slip walls erected on one and the other sides to prevent the wheelchair placed on the table from falling to the side. The aforementioned fall prevention wall has a plurality of protective plates arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction and positioned vertically. The multiple protective plates are configured to be movable toward the vehicle, On the surface of the multiple protective plates facing the lifting mechanism, a groove is formed that penetrates from the upper surface to the lower surface of the protective plate. The step-leveling device is characterized in that the bridge further has protrusions that are integrally or integrally provided on one and the other side ends of the bridge body and are inserted into the grooves of the protective plate.

3. In the step-raising device according to claim 2, A step-leveling device characterized in that the vertical dimension of the protrusion is set to be longer than the distance between adjacent upper and lower protective plates in the vertical direction.

4. In the step-raising device according to claim 2, The step-leveling device is characterized in that the upper end of the protrusion is formed to protrude above the upper surface of the bridge body.

5. In the step-raising device according to claim 1, The lifting mechanism is further provided with anti-slip walls erected on one and the other sides to prevent the wheelchair placed on the table from falling to the side. The aforementioned fall prevention wall is configured to be movable toward the vehicle, A long groove in the vertical direction is formed on the surface of the fall prevention wall on the side of the lifting mechanism. The step-leveling device is characterized in that the bridge further has protrusions that are integrally or integrally provided on one and the other side ends of the bridge body and are inserted into the grooves of the fall-prevention wall.

6. In the step-raising device according to claim 1, When in an upright position, the upper end further includes a ramp plate attached via a rotating shaft to the vehicle-side end of the table, A step-leveling device characterized in that, when the bridge is moved toward the vehicle, the ramp plate is supported from below by the bridge.

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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