Wheelchair aids and wheelchair devices

Abstract

To provide an auxiliary tool for a wheelchair having both a function of lifting the front wheels of the wheelchair and a function of preventing the wheelchair from tilting backward. [Solution] A wheelchair auxiliary device 40 that can be attached to and detached from a wheelchair 10 having a frame 90 with a first front wheel 30 and a support axle 82, and a first rear wheel 28 rotatably supported by the support axle, the wheelchair auxiliary device having an attachment part that is attached to and detached from the frame at a point rearward of the support axle, a footrest connected to the attachment part and on which the assistant can step with his or her foot, and a protrusion 47 connected to the attachment part and protruding in the vertical direction, the attachment part being configured to be changeable between a first attachment state in which the protrusion 47 faces vertically upwards, and a second attachment state in which the protrusion 47 faces vertically downwards.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wheelchair aid and a wheelchair device that are provided on a wheelchair. [Background technology]

[0002] Examples of wheelchair auxiliary devices provided on wheelchairs are described in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Non-Patent Document 1, and Non-Patent Document 2. The wheelchair auxiliary step (auxiliary device) described in Patent Document 1 is an auxiliary step attached to a step in order to lift the front wheel of the wheelchair with a light force. The auxiliary step has step protrusions extending rearward from both the left and right steps, and step recesses connecting the step protrusions. By stepping on the auxiliary step while operating the wheelchair, the caregiver can easily perform operations such as lifting the front wheel to get over a step.

[0003] The wheelchair backward tip-over prevention device (assistance device) described in Patent Document 2 drives the left and right rear wheels of the electric wheelchair with a motor inside a power unit attached to the inside surface of the rear wheels. Also, brackets with an inverted concave cross section are protruding from the rear of the left and right power units, and the front end of a swing arm with a tip-over prevention wheel axially attached to its rear end is rotatably attached to the bracket. Furthermore, the swing arm is biased by a spring so that the upper surface of the swing arm hits a stopper attached to the upper rear part of the bracket.

[0004] Non-Patent Document 1 shows a diagram in which a tipping prevention device is provided on the tipping lever of a wheelchair to prevent the wheelchair from tipping backwards.

[0005] Non-Patent Document 2 shows a diagram in which a tipping lever of a wheelchair is provided with an anti-tip bar to prevent the wheelchair from tipping backwards. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-71174 [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-170114 A [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Seating Research Institute, Seating Course, Basics of Seating, 1. Basic Structure and Name of Wheelchair, [Retrieved November 8, 2024], Internet<https: / / seating.jp / seating-lecture / seatingbasic / 01basic / > [Non-Patent Document 2] Wheel Chair Miki, wheelchair products, names of wheelchair parts and their functions, [searched on November 8, 2024], Internet<https: / / www.kurumaisu-miki.co.jp / wheelchair / column / detail.html> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The inventors of the present application recognized that the wheelchair assist devices described in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Non-Patent Document 1, and Non-Patent Document 2 do not recognize wheelchair assist devices that have both the function of lifting the front wheels of the wheelchair to overcome steps and the function of preventing the wheelchair from tilting backwards, and that there is room for improvement in this regard.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wheelchair assist device and a wheelchair apparatus that have both a function of lifting the front wheels of the wheelchair and a function of preventing the wheelchair from tilting backward. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The wheelchair auxiliary device disclosed herein is a wheelchair auxiliary device that can be attached to and detached from a location rear of the support axle on a wheelchair having a frame to which front wheels are attached, a support axle positioned rearward of the front wheels and attached to the frame, and a rear wheel rotatably supported by the support axle, and has a mounting part that is attached to and detached from the frame at a location rearward of the support axle, a foot step connected to the mounting part and on which an assistant can step with his or her foot when the mounting part is attached to the frame, and a protrusion connected to the mounting part and protruding vertically when the mounting part is attached to the frame, and the mounting part is configured so that the assistant can change between a first mounting state in which the protrusion faces vertically upwards and a second mounting state in which the protrusion faces vertically downwards. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a wheelchair assist device that has both the function of lifting the front wheels of the wheelchair and the function of preventing the wheelchair from tilting backward. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an entire wheelchair apparatus with a wheelchair auxiliary device in a first mounting state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the entire wheelchair device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the entire wheelchair device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a partial plan view showing an example of attaching and detaching a wheelchair aid to a wheelchair. [Diagram 5] 13(A) and (B) are partial rear views showing the attached state of the wheelchair assist device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the entire wheelchair device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the entire wheelchair apparatus with the wheelchair aid in a second mounting state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] (Overview of the embodiment) The wheelchair device of this embodiment includes a wheelchair and a wheelchair auxiliary tool. The wheelchair auxiliary tool has a configuration that allows it to be attached to and detached from the wheelchair. When the wheelchair auxiliary tool is attached to the wheelchair, it can be changed between a first attachment state and a second attachment state. When the wheelchair auxiliary tool is attached to the wheelchair in the first attachment state, the assistant can lift the front wheel of the wheelchair by stepping on the wheelchair auxiliary tool with his / her foot. Also, when the wheelchair auxiliary tool is attached to the wheelchair in the second attachment state, the wheelchair auxiliary tool comes into contact with the place of use, thereby preventing the wheelchair from tilting backward. The wheelchair device is composed of the wheelchair and the wheelchair auxiliary tool. Specific examples of the wheelchair device, the wheelchair, and the wheelchair auxiliary tool will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (Specific examples of wheelchair devices and wheelchairs) The wheelchair device 80 shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is composed of a wheelchair 10 and a wheelchair assisting device 40. The wheelchair 10 is placed at a place of use 11, and a target person 12 uses it in a sitting position. The target person 12 includes a physically disabled person, a person requiring care, and the like. The assistant 13 assists the use of the wheelchair 10 from behind the wheelchair 10, for example, stopping the wheelchair 10, moving the wheelchair 10, and changing the direction of the wheelchair 10. The assistant 13 includes a caregiver, a medical professional, and the like. The wheelchair 10 has a first arm support frame 14, a second arm support frame 15, a first foot support frame 16, a second foot support frame 17, a first tipping lever 18, a second tipping lever 19, a first push handle 20, a second push handle 21, and the like.

[0015] Wheelchair 10 also has first arm support 22, second arm support 23, first side guard 24, second side guard 25, seat 27, first rear wheel 28, second rear wheel 29, first front wheel 30, second front wheel 31, first foot support 32, second foot support 33, folding frames 34, 58, etc. When wheelchair 10 is in use, first front wheel 30, second front wheel 31, first rear wheel 28, and second rear wheel 29 are in contact with (grounded on) place of use 11.

[0016] The first frame 90 is made up of the first arm support frame 14, the first foot support frame 16, the first tipping lever 18, and the first push handle 20. The second frame 91 is made up of the second arm support frame 15, the second foot support frame 17, the second tipping lever 19, and the second push handle 21. The first frame 90, the second frame 91, the first rear wheel 28, the second rear wheel 29, the first front wheel 30, and the second front wheel 31 are elements that play a role in supporting the weight of the subject 12 seated in the wheelchair 10. The first frame 90 and the second frame 91 are elements that play a role in maintaining the shape of the wheelchair 10.

[0017] The materials of the components such as the first arm support frame 14, the second arm support frame 15, the first foot support frame 16, the second foot support frame 17, the first tipping lever 18, the second tipping lever 19, the first push handle 20, the second push handle 21, the first arm support 22, the second arm support 23, and the folding frames 34, 58 are metal, such as aluminum, steel, titanium, stainless steel, etc.

[0018] The wheelchair 10 can move along the forward / rearward direction A1. More specifically, the wheelchair 10 can move forward, backward, and change direction. The wheelchair 10 can be switched between a folded state and an unfolded usable state by operating the folding frames 34, 58. The folded state of the wheelchair 10 is a state in which the first frame 90 and the second frame 91 are close to each other. The usable state of the wheelchair 10 is a state in which the first frame 90 and the second frame 91 are separated from each other.

[0019] When the wheelchair 10 is in use, as shown in FIG. 2, when the wheelchair 10 is viewed from the front, the first frame 90 and the second frame 91 are arranged on both sides of a virtual line C1 along the vertical direction. The vertical direction is the direction of gravity. The virtual line C1 is located at the center of the wheelchair 10 in the left-right direction B1 of the wheelchair 10, that is, it is a straight line passing through the center. Thus, the wheelchair 10 has a shape and structure that are symmetrical with respect to the virtual line C1. Also, when the wheelchair 10 is viewed from above as shown in FIG. 3, the wheelchair 10 has a shape and structure that are symmetrical with respect to the virtual line C2 along the front-rear direction A1. The virtual line C2 is a straight line that passes through the center of the wheelchair 10 in the left-right direction B1 of the wheelchair 10.

[0020] To specifically explain the positions of the elements constituting the wheelchair 10 when the wheelchair 10 is in use, the first arm support frame 14 and the second arm support frame 15 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction B1 intersecting with the front-rear direction A1. The first foot support frame 16 and the second foot support frame 17 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction B1. The first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction B1. The first push handle 20 and the second push handle 21 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction B1.

[0021] The first arm support 22 and the second arm support 23 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction B1. The first side guard 24 and the second side guard 25 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction B1. The first rear wheel 28 and the second rear wheel 29 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction B1. The first front wheel 30 and the second front wheel 31 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction B1. The first foot support 32 and the second foot support 33 are arranged at an interval in the left-right direction B1.

[0022] The first arm support frame 14 has a portion extending in the vertical direction and a portion extending in the front-rear direction A1. The first front wheel 30 is rotatably attached to the lower end of the first arm support frame 14 via a caster 35. The second arm support frame 15 has a portion extending in the vertical direction and a portion extending in the front-rear direction A1. The second front wheel 31 is rotatably attached to the lower end of the second arm support frame 15 via a caster 36. The outer diameter of the first front wheel 30 and the outer diameter of the second front wheel 31 are the same. The first tipping lever 18 is a rod-shaped pipe member and is disposed, that is, extended, along the front-rear direction A1. The first foot support frame 16 has a portion extending along the front-rear direction A1 and a portion extending downward from the front end of the portion extending along the front-rear direction A1.

[0023] The front end of the first tipping lever 18 in the front-rear direction A1 is fixed to a portion of the first foot support frame 16 that extends downward. The second tipping lever 19 is a rod-shaped pipe member and is disposed, i.e., extends, along the front-rear direction A1. The second foot support frame 17 has a portion that extends along the front-rear direction A1 and a portion that extends downward from the front end of the portion that extends along the front-rear direction A1. The front end of the second tipping lever 19 in the front-rear direction A1 is fixed to a portion of the second foot support frame 17 that extends downward.

[0024] The first push handle 20 has a portion extending in the vertical direction, and the lower end of the first push handle 20 is fixed to the first tipping lever 18. The upper end of the first push handle 20 is bent backward in the front-to-rear direction A1, and a grip 53 is attached to the rear end of the first push handle 20. The second push handle 21 has a portion extending in the vertical direction, and the lower end of the second push handle 21 is fixed to the second tipping lever 19. The upper end of the second push handle 21 is bent backward in the front-to-rear direction A1, and a grip 54 is attached to the rear end of the second push handle 21. The grips 53, 54 are portions that the assistant 13 holds with his / her hand 55.

[0025] The rear end of the first arm support frame 14 is fixed to a first push handle 20, and the first arm support frame 14 and the first foot support frame 16 are connected to each other. A first arm support 22 is attached to a portion of the first arm support frame 14 extending along the front-rear direction A1. The rear end of the second arm support frame 15 is fixed to a second push handle 21, and the second arm support frame 15 and the second foot support frame 17 are connected to each other.

[0026] The second arm support 23 is attached to a portion of the second arm support frame 15 extending along the front-rear direction A1. The first arm support frame 14 and the second arm support frame 15 are both constructed by covering a cushioning material with a covering material such as leather, synthetic leather, leather, etc. The rear end of the first foot support frame 16 is fixed to the first push handle 20. The rear end of the second foot support frame 17 is fixed to the second push handle 21.

[0027] The first rear wheel 28 is rotatably supported by a first support shaft 82. The first support shaft 82 is attached to the connection point between the first push handle 20 and the first tipping lever 18. The second rear wheel 29 is rotatably supported by a second support shaft 83. The second support shaft 83 is attached to the connection point between the second push handle 21 and the second tipping lever 19. The first support shaft 82 and the second support shaft 83 are arranged coaxially. In the front-rear direction A1 of the wheelchair 10, the first support shaft 82 and the second support shaft 83 are arranged rearward of the first front wheel 30 and the second front wheel 31. The outer diameter of the first rear wheel 28 and the outer diameter of the second rear wheel 29 are the same. The outer diameters of the first rear wheel 28 and the second rear wheel 29 are larger than the outer diameters of the first front wheel 30 and the second front wheel 31.

[0028] The first foot support 32 is attached to the lower end of the first foot support frame 16 so as to be unfoldable and foldable. The second foot support 33 is attached to the lower end of the second foot support frame 17 so as to be unfoldable and foldable. The first foot support 32 and the second foot support 33 play a role in supporting the feet of the subject 12. The first foot support 32 and the second foot support 33 are made of a material such as a synthetic resin or a metal.

[0029] The leg support 37 is attached across the first foot support frame 16 and the second foot support frame 17. The leg support 37 serves to support the calves of the subject 12. The leg support 37 is made of a foldable and unfoldable material, such as synthetic resin, synthetic leather, leather, etc.

[0030] The first side guard 24 is attached below the first arm support 22, from the first arm support frame 14 to the first push handle 20. The second side guard 25 is attached below the second arm support 23, from the second arm support frame 15 to the second push handle 21. The first side guard 24 and the second side guard 25 play a role in restricting the range of movement of the torso of the subject 12 in the left-right direction. The first side guard 24 and the second side guard 25 are made of a material such as synthetic resin, synthetic leather, or leather.

[0031] The seat 27 is attached from the first foot support frame 16 to the second foot support frame 17. The seat 27 is where the subject 12 sits, and serves to support the weight of the subject 12. The seat 27 is composed of a foldable and unfoldable base material and a cushion. The cushion is layered on top of the base material. The base material is made of, for example, synthetic resin, synthetic leather, leather, etc., and the cushion is, for example, sponge. The seat 27 is configured to be foldable and unfoldable.

[0032] The back sheet 38 is attached from the first push handle 20 to the second push handle 21. The back sheet 38 serves as a backrest that supports the back of the subject 12. The back sheet 38 is made of a foldable and unfoldable material, such as synthetic resin, synthetic leather, leather, etc.

[0033] When the wheelchair 10 is unfolded and in use, the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19 are arranged in parallel, and the first rear wheel 28 and the second rear wheel 29 are arranged in parallel, when the wheelchair 10 is viewed from above as in Figure 3. In addition, when the wheelchair 10 is viewed from above as in Figure 3, the first frame 90 and the second frame 91 are located between the first rear wheel 28 and the second rear wheel 29 in the left-right direction B1.

[0034] The folding frames 34, 58 are arranged in a crossed state, and the crossed portion is operably connected. The lower end of the folding frame 34 is connected to the first tipping lever 18, and the upper end of the folding frame 34 is connected to the second arm support frame 15. The lower end of the folding frame 58 is connected to the second tipping lever 19, and the upper end of the folding frame 58 is connected to the first arm support frame 14. When the folding frames 34, 58 are operated around the crossed portion, the wheelchair 10 is switched between a folded state and an unfolded use state.

[0035] (Examples of wheelchair aids) Specific examples of wheelchair assist devices are shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5(A) and (B). The wheelchair assist device 40 is configured to be attached to and detached from the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19. The assistant 13 can step on the wheelchair assist device 40 attached to the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19 with the foot 56. When the wheelchair assist device 40 is stepped on with the foot 56, a force is generated to lift the first front wheel 30 and the second front wheel 31 of the wheelchair 10. In addition, when the wheelchair assist device 40 is attached to the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19, the wheelchair 10 can be prevented from tilting backward.

[0036] In the front-rear direction A1 of the wheelchair 10 shown in Fig. 4, the rear end 41 of the first tipping lever 18 and the rear end 42 of the second tipping lever 19 are located rearward of the imaginary line C2. Also, in the front-rear direction A1 of the wheelchair 10 shown in Fig. 4, the rear end 41 of the first tipping lever 18 and the rear end 42 of the second tipping lever 19 are located forward of the rear end 43 of the first rear wheel 28 and the rear end 44 of the second rear wheel 29. Furthermore, in the front-rear direction A1 of the wheelchair 10 shown in Fig. 4, the rear end 41 of the first tipping lever 18 and the rear end 42 of the second tipping lever 19 are at the same position.

[0037] The wheelchair aid 40 has attachment parts 45, 46, protruding parts 47, 48, footrest parts 49, 50, and connecting parts 51, 52. The attachment parts 45, 46, protruding parts 47, 48, footrest parts 49, 50, and connecting parts 51, 52 are made of, for example, pipe material. The attachment parts 45, 46, protruding parts 47, 48, footrest parts 49, 50, and connecting parts 51, 52 are made of, for example, metal or hard synthetic resin. The metal can be selected from aluminum, steel, titanium, stainless steel, etc. The hard synthetic resin can be selected from polytetrafluoroethylene resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, etc.

[0038] The mounting parts 45, 46 have the same shape, structure and dimensions. The inner diameter of the pipe-shaped mounting parts 45, 46 is larger than the outer diameter of the rear end 41 of the first tipping lever 18 and the outer diameter of the rear end 42 of the second tipping lever 19. The protruding parts 47, 48 have the same shape, structure and dimensions. The foot steps 49, 50 have the same shape, structure and dimensions. The connecting parts 51, 52 have a symmetrical shape and structure. The mounting part 45, the protruding part 47, and the foot steps 49, 50 are connected (coupled) to each other by the connecting part 51. The mounting part 46, the protruding part 48, and the foot steps 49, 50 are connected (coupled) to each other by the connecting part 52.

[0039] 4, the assistant 13 can attach the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 to the wheelchair 10 and detach the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 from the wheelchair 10 by moving the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 toward and away from the wheelchair 10. The states in which the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 is attached to the wheelchair 10 include a first attachment state and a second attachment state.

[0040] The first attachment state of the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 is a state in which the rear end 41 of the first tipping lever 18 is inserted into the attachment portion 45 and the rear end 42 of the second tipping lever 19 is inserted into the attachment portion 46, so that the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 is attached to the wheelchair 10, as shown in Fig. 4. When the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 is in the first attachment state, the protrusions 47, 48 protrude vertically upward from the connecting portions 51, 52, as shown in Fig. 5(A).

[0041] When the assistant 13 moves the wheelchair assist device 40, which is attached in the first attachment state, backward relative to the wheelchair 10, the wheelchair assist device 40 is detached from the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19, as shown in Figure 4.

[0042] The second attachment state of the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 is a state in which the rear end 41 of the first tipping lever 18 is inserted into the attachment portion 46 and the rear end 42 of the second tipping lever 19 is inserted into the attachment portion 45 to attach the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 to the wheelchair 10. When the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 is in the second attachment state, the protrusions 47, 48 protrude vertically downward from the connecting portions 51, 52 as shown in Fig. 5(B). When the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 is in the second attachment state, the protrusions 47, 48 are located rearward of the first support shaft 82 and the second support shaft 83 in the front-rear direction A1 of the wheelchair 10.

[0043] When the assistant 13 moves the wheelchair assist device 40 attached in the second attachment state backward relative to the wheelchair 10, the wheelchair assist device 40 is removed from the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19.

[0044] The mounting parts 45, 46 made of pipe material may each be provided on their inner surfaces with a stopper 57 as shown in Fig. 4. The stopper 57 is provided to prevent the mounting parts 45, 46 from accidentally coming off the first tipping lever 18 or the second tipping lever 19. The stopper 57 is formed, for example, of synthetic rubber joined to the inner surfaces of the mounting parts 45, 46, or a protrusion provided on the inner surfaces of the mounting parts 45, 46, respectively.

[0045] 5(A) and 5(B) may have stoppers 84 attached to the tips of the protruding parts 47 and 48. The stoppers 84 are configured to be movable and stoppable in the longitudinal direction of the protruding parts 47 and 48. For example, the stoppers 84 are connected to the protruding parts 47 and 48 by a screw mechanism, and when the stoppers 84 are rotated in the first direction or the second direction, the stoppers 84 are moved to either of the longitudinal directions of the protruding parts 47 and 48.

[0046] (Example of wheelchair device use) An example of how the wheelchair device 80 is used is as follows. The wheelchair 10 is placed in a use state, with the first front wheel 30, the second front wheel 31, the first rear wheel 28, and the second rear wheel 29 touching the ground at the place of use 11 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The subject 12 sits on the seat 27 and places his / her back in contact with the back seat 38. Furthermore, the subject 12 places his / her feet on the first foot support 32 and the second foot support 33. The assistant 13 stands behind the wheelchair 10 at the place of use 11. The wheelchair assisting device 40 is attached to the wheelchair 10 in the first attachment state.

[0047] When assistant 13 holds grip 53 with hand 55 and walks in a direction to move wheelchair 10 forward at place of use 11, first front wheel 30, second front wheel 31, first rear wheel 28, and second rear wheel 29 are rotated, and wheelchair 10 moves forward. Also, when assistant 13 holds grip 53 with hand 55 and walks in a direction to move wheelchair 10 backward at place of use 11, first front wheel 30, second front wheel 31, first rear wheel 28, and second rear wheel 29 are rotated, and wheelchair 10 moves backward. Furthermore, assistant 13 can also change the direction of wheelchair 10.

[0048] When there is a step 81 in front of the wheelchair 10, the assistant 13 places one foot 56 on the footrests 49, 50 as shown in Fig. 4, and applies a stepping force to the foot 56. Then, a clockwise moment F1 in Fig. 6 is applied to the first frame 90 and the second frame 91 about the first support shaft 82 and the second support shaft 83. As a result, the first front wheel 30 and the second front wheel 31 are lifted up from the place of use 11.

[0049] Then, the assistant 13 moves the wheelchair 10 forward, and places the first front wheel 30 and the second front wheel 31 on the upper step 11A of the place of use 11. Furthermore, the assistant 13 removes his feet 56 from the footrests 49, 50. Furthermore, the assistant 13 moves the wheelchair 10 forward, and the first rear wheel 28 and the second rear wheel 29 reach just before the step 81. Then, when the assistant 13 lifts the grips 53, 54, the wheelchair 10 lifts forward with the first front wheel 30 and the second front wheel 31 as fulcrums, and the first rear wheel 28 and the second rear wheel 29 move away from the place of use 11.

[0050] Furthermore, the assistant 13 moves the wheelchair 10 forward with the first front wheel 30 and the second front wheel 31 in contact with the upper step 11A. Then, when the first rear wheel 28 and the second rear wheel 29 reach the top of the upper step 11A, the assistant 13 reduces the force supporting the grips 53, 54, and the first rear wheel 28 and the second rear wheel 29 in contact with the upper step 11A. In this way, the wheelchair 10 can get over the step 81.

[0051] Meanwhile, the assistant 13 can stop the wheelchair 10 at the place of use 11 and change the attachment state of the wheelchair assist device 40 from the first attachment state to the second attachment state. When the wheelchair assist device 40 is in the second attachment state, the tips, i.e., the lower ends, of the protruding parts 47, 48 are located lower than the rear ends 41, 42. To be more specific, the lower ends of the protruding parts 47, 48 are in a state immediately before they come into contact with the place of use 11.

[0052] Here, when the subject 12 leans strongly against the seat back 38, a moment is applied to the wheelchair 10 around the first support shaft 82 and the second support shaft 83 shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, in the wheelchair 10 shown in FIG. 7, a clockwise moment 71 is generated around the first support shafts 82 and 83. Then, the lower ends of the protruding parts 47 and 48 shown in FIG. 5(B) immediately touch the ground at the use place 11 in FIG. 7 at a position P1. The position P1 is behind the grounding point P2 where the first rear wheel 28 and the second rear wheel 29 touch the ground at the use place 11. The grounding point P2 is located directly below the first support shaft 82 and the second support shaft 83 in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to prevent the wheelchair 10 from tilting backward or tipping over backward.

[0053] (Effects of the embodiment) The wheelchair auxiliary device 40 can realize both the function of lifting the first front wheel 30 and the second front wheel 31 and the function of preventing the wheelchair 10 from tilting backwards by changing the state of attachment to the wheelchair 10 between a first attachment state and a second attachment state. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts of the wheelchair 10. In addition, the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 can be attached to and detached from the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19 that are originally provided. Therefore, the shape and structure of the wheelchair 10 to which the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 is attached are not limited, improving convenience.

[0054] In addition, the wheelchair assist device 40 can be attached to and detached from the wheelchair 10. When the wheelchair assist device 40 is detached from the wheelchair 10, the assistant 13 can change the state of the wheelchair 10 between a folded state and a used state.

[0055] Furthermore, the wheelchair assist device 40 is attached to the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19. Therefore, when the foot steps 49, 50 are stepped on by the foot 56, a moment of the same magnitude is simultaneously applied to the first frame 90 and the second frame 91. Therefore, the first frame 90 and the second frame 91 move smoothly around the first support shaft 82 and the second support shaft 83.

[0056] Furthermore, when the stopper 57 is provided, the stopper 57 is pressed against the rear ends 41, 42 when the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 is attached to the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19. When a force is generated that causes the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 to inadvertently come off the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19, the frictional resistance of the contact portion between the stopper 57 and the rear ends 41, 42 can prevent the attachment portions 45, 46 from coming off the first tipping lever 18 or the second tipping lever 19. When the assistant 13 intentionally removes the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 from the first tipping lever 18 and the second tipping lever 19, he or she only needs to apply a force to the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 that exceeds the frictional resistance of the contact portion between the stopper 57 and the rear ends 41, 42.

[0057] Furthermore, when stopper 84 is provided, when a clockwise moment in Fig. 7 is applied to wheelchair 10, stopper 84 comes into contact with place of use 11, preventing wheelchair 10 from tilting. By adjusting the amount that stopper 84 protrudes from protrusions 47, 48, the amount that wheelchair 10 in Fig. 7 tilts due to a clockwise moment can be adjusted.

[0058] (supplementary explanation) An example of the technical meaning of the matters described in this embodiment is as follows. The wheelchair device 80 is an example of a wheelchair device. The wheelchair 10 is an example of a wheelchair. The wheelchair auxiliary device 40 is an example of a wheelchair auxiliary device. The first frame 90 and the second frame 91 are an example of a frame. The mounting parts 45, 46 are an example of an attachment part. The mounting part 45 is an example of a first attachment part. The mounting part 46 is an example of a second attachment part. The footrest parts 49, 50 are an example of a footrest part. The protrusion parts 47, 48 are an example of a protrusion part. The protrusion part 47 is an example of a first protrusion part. The protrusion part 48 is an example of a second protrusion part. The first rear wheel 28 and the second rear wheel 29 are an example of a rear wheel. The first front wheel 30 and the second front wheel 31 are an example of a front wheel. The first support shaft 82 and the second support shaft 83 are an example of a support shaft. The virtual line C1 is an example of a virtual line.

[0059] This embodiment is not limited to those disclosed using the drawings, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the inner diameter of the rear end 41 of the pipe-shaped first tipping lever 18 and the inner diameter of the rear end 42 of the second tipping lever 19 may be set to be larger than the outer diameter of the mounting parts 45, 46. In this case, the rear end 41 of the first tipping lever 18 or the rear end 42 of the second tipping lever 19 is inserted into the mounting parts 45, 46 to mount the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 to the wheelchair 10. The stopper is provided on the outer surface of the mounting parts 45, 46. Furthermore, the wheelchair auxiliary device 40 may be provided with either one of the footrest parts 49, 50.

[0060] Furthermore, if the mounting portion 45, the protruding portion 47, and the foot steps 49 and 50 are made of metal, they may be joined to each other by welding or soldering without providing the connecting portion 51. If the mounting portion 46, the protruding portion 48, and the foot steps 49 and 50 are made of metal, they may be joined to each other by welding or soldering without providing the connecting portion 52. Furthermore, if the mounting portions 45 and 46, the protruding portions 47 and 48, and the foot steps 49 and 50 are made of hard synthetic resin, they may be joined to each other and integrated without providing the connecting portions 51 and 52. [Industrial Applicability]

[0061] This embodiment can be used as a wheelchair aid that can be attached to and detached from a wheelchair, and as a wheelchair device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] Reference Signs List 10...wheelchair, 28...first rear wheel, 29...second rear wheel, 30...first front wheel, 31...second front wheel, 40...wheelchair aid, 45, 46...mounting portion, 47, 48...projection portion, 49, 50...footrest portion, 80...wheelchair device, 82...first support axis, 83...second support axis, 90...first frame, 91...second frame, C1...phantom line

Claims

1. A wheelchair auxiliary device that can be attached to and detached from a wheelchair having a frame to which a front wheel is attached, a support shaft disposed on the frame rearward of the front wheel, and a rear wheel rotatably supported by the support shaft, the wheelchair auxiliary device being capable of being attached to and detached from a position rearward of the support shaft, an attachment portion that is attached to and detached from the frame at a location rearward of the support shaft; a stepping part that is connected to the mounting part and that an assistant can step on with his / her foot in a state where the mounting part is attached to the frame; a protrusion connected to the mounting portion and protruding in a vertical direction in a state in which the mounting portion is attached to the frame; having The mounting portion is a first mounting state in which the protrusion faces vertically upward; a second mounting state in which the protrusion faces vertically downward; A wheelchair aid that can be changed by an assistant.

2. 2. The wheelchair aid according to claim 1, The frame includes a first frame and a second frame that are disposed across a vertical imaginary line when the wheelchair is viewed from the front, The mounting portion is a first attachment portion that is attached to and detached from the first frame or the second frame; a second mounting portion that is attached to and detached from the first frame or the second frame; and having The protrusion is A first protrusion connected to the first mounting portion; A second protrusion connected to the second mounting portion; having A wheelchair assist device, wherein the footrest is connected to the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion.

3. A wheelchair having a frame to which a front wheel is attached, a support shaft disposed on the frame rearward of the front wheel, and a rear wheel rotatably supported by the support shaft; A wheelchair auxiliary device that can be attached to and detached from the wheelchair at a location rearward of the support axis; A wheelchair device comprising: The wheelchair aid comprises: an attachment portion that is attached to and detached from the frame at a location rearward of the support shaft; a stepping part that is connected to the mounting part and that an assistant can step on with his / her foot in a state where the mounting part is attached to the frame; a protrusion connected to the mounting portion and protruding in a vertical direction in a state in which the mounting portion is attached to the frame; having The mounting portion is a first mounting state in which the protrusion faces vertically upward; a second mounting state in which the protrusion faces vertically downward; The wheelchair device has a configuration that can be changed by an assistant.

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