Walker

Abstract

To provide a wheeled walker with excellent stability and maneuverability, designed to assist users in walking. [Solution] The walker 10 comprises a pair of side frames 20, 20 arranged in the left-right direction, connecting parts 40 (41, 42) that connect the pair of side frames 20, 20 to each other, and a pair of first casters 50 provided on the lower ends 22A of the pair of side frames 20. Each first caster 50 comprises a wheel 51 and a mounting part 52 for attaching the wheel 51 to the lower end 22A of the side frame 20. The mounting part 52 is configured to allow adjustment of the left-right position of the wheel 51.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a walking aid.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a walking aid for assisting a user's walking, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known. The walking aid described in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of side frames arranged side by side and a connecting portion connecting them. The lower end portion of the side frame forms a flat surface, and the flat surface is configured to contact the ground so as to stably support the user's body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there are some models of walking aids that have wheels at the lower end of the walking aid. While providing wheels makes traveling easier, the stability tends to decrease. Therefore, in order to improve the stability, for example, if the lateral width of the side frame is increased, it becomes difficult to pass through a narrow passage and the versatility decreases.

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to realize a wheel-equipped walking aid excellent in stability and versatility.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As a means to solve the above problems, the walker disclosed herein comprises a pair of side frames arranged in the left-right direction, a connecting portion connecting the pair of side frames together, and a pair of first casters provided at the lower ends of the pair of side frames, wherein each of the first casters comprises a wheel and a mounting portion for attaching the wheel to the lower end of the side frame, and the mounting portion is configured to allow adjustment of the left-right position of the wheel.

[0007] Furthermore, in the above-described walker, the mounting portion comprises a fixing portion for fixing the wheel to the lower end of the side frame and a connecting portion for connecting the fixing portion and the wheel, and the lower end of the side frame is provided with a plurality of mounting holes for fixing the fixing portion along the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the side frame, the fixing position of the fixing portion can be adjusted by changing the selection of the plurality of mounting holes, and the wheel may be provided in a manner that allows adjustment so that its axis of rotation is aligned with the left-right direction.

[0008] Furthermore, in the above-described walker, the connecting portion may have a first connecting portion which is a cylindrical body whose axial direction is aligned with the vertical direction, and the rotation axis of the wheel may be provided so as to be rotatable around the central axis of the first connecting portion.

[0009] Furthermore, in the above-described walker, grooves may be formed at predetermined angular intervals on the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion, and protrusions that engage with the grooves may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion which is connected to the rotation axis of the wheel and inserted into the first connecting portion.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned walker, the angle interval may be 60°.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above-described walker, each side frame comprises a longitudinal front leg portion extending in the vertical direction and a longitudinal rear leg portion extending in the vertical direction and positioned behind the front leg portion, and the first caster may be a rear leg caster provided at the lower end of the rear leg portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, a walker with wheels excellent in stability and traveling performance can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the walker according to the embodiment as viewed from the rear (rear wheels in normal position) [Figure 2] Enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the rear wheels in FIG. 1 [Figure 3] Perspective view of FIG. 2 as viewed from another direction [Figure 4] Perspective view of the walker as viewed from the rear (rear wheels in widened position) [Figure 5] Enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the rear wheels in FIG. 4 [Figure 6A] Diagram showing the procedure for changing the rear wheels from the normal position to the widened position (rear wheels in normal position) [Figure 6B] Diagram showing the procedure following FIG. 6A [Figure 6C] Diagram showing the procedure following FIG. 6B [Figure 6D] Diagram showing the procedure following FIG. 6C [Figure 6E] Diagram of FIG. 6D as viewed from another direction [Figure 6F] Diagram showing the procedure following FIG. 6E [Figure 6G] Diagram showing the procedure following FIG. 6F (rear wheels in widened position)

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6G. As shown in FIG. 1, the walker 10 according to this embodiment includes a pair of side frames 20, 20 arranged in the left-right direction, a connecting portion 40 that connects the pair of side frames 20, 20, a pair of rear leg casters 50 (an example of a first caster), and a pair of front leg casters 60 (an example of a second caster).

[0015] In the following description, when the user walks using the walker 10, the traveling direction (forward direction) is defined as the front side, and the side opposite to the traveling direction is defined as the rear side. Also, the right side and the left side are defined as the right side and the left side with respect to the traveling direction. In some drawings, the directions are indicated using the symbols F, B, L, R, U, D, which represent the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively. For a plurality of identical members, one member may be labeled with a reference numeral and the reference numerals of other members may be omitted.

[0016] The side frame 20 (side frame) is a member that constitutes the side portion of the walker 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the side frame 20 is mainly composed of, for example, a metal pipe. The side frame 20 includes a longitudinal front leg portion 21 extending in the vertical direction, a longitudinal rear leg portion 22 extending in the vertical direction and disposed on the rear side of the front leg portion 21, a front-rear connecting portion 23 connecting the upper portions of the front leg portion 21 and the rear leg portion 22, and a lower connecting portion 24 connecting the front leg portion 21 and the rear leg portion 22.

[0017] The front leg portion 21, the rear leg portion 22, and the front-rear connecting portion 23 form a U-shaped that opens downward and are formed by bending a single pipe. Therefore, the connection portions between the front-rear connecting portion 23 and the front leg portion 21, and between the front-rear connecting portion 23 and the rear leg portion 22 each have an R shape.

[0018] A gripping portion 25 for the user to grip is provided at the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the front-rear connecting portion 23. The gripping portion 25 is formed of, for example, a soft material (such as foamed resin or synthetic rubber). The lower connecting portion 24 improves the strength and rigidity of the lower part of the side frame 20.

[0019] The left-right connecting portion 40 includes a first left-right connecting portion 41 extending in the left-right direction and a second left-right connecting portion 42 extending in the left-right direction and disposed below the first left-right connecting portion 41. The first left-right connecting portion 41 connects the front-rear connecting portions 23, 23 of the pair of side frames 20, 20. The second left-right connecting portion 42 connects the front leg portions 21 of the pair of side frames 20, 20.

[0020] A pair of rear leg casters 50 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Each rear leg caster 50 is provided on the lower end 22A of the rear leg portion 22 of the side frame 20. This lower end 22A is made of a pipe separate from the upper part of the rear leg portion 21. As shown in Figure 3, a plurality of insertion openings 22A1 are formed on the outer surface of this pipe, arranged in the vertical direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, a button 22B, which is located on the pipe that forms the upper part of the rear leg 21, is inserted into the insertion opening 22A1. By pressing the button 22B, the user can change the insertion opening 22A1 into which the button 22B is inserted. This allows the position of the lower end 22A to be displaced, and the length of the rear leg 22 can be switched in multiple stages.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the rear leg caster 50 comprises a rear wheel 51 (an example of a wheel) and a mounting portion 52 for attaching the rear wheel 51 to the lower end portion 22A of the rear leg portion 22 of the side frame 20. The mounting portion 52 comprises a fixing portion 53 for fixing the rear wheel 51 to the lower end portion 22A and a connecting portion 55 for connecting the fixing portion 53 and the rear wheel 51. The material of the mounting portion 52 is, for example, hard resin.

[0023] The fixing portion 53 is hollow and cylindrical, and the lower end portion 22A of the rear leg portion 22 of the side frame 20 is inserted inside it. The fixing portion 53 is fixed to the lower end portion 22A by a first fastening member 71 (for example, a bolt and a nut). Multiple mounting holes 22A2 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end portion 22A at predetermined angular intervals along the circumferential direction (see Figure 6B). In this embodiment, six mounting holes 22A2 are formed at 60° intervals along the circumferential direction, and the first fastening member 71 is fixed to one of these mounting holes 22A2.

[0024] The connecting portion 55 includes a first connecting portion 56 and a second connecting portion 57. The first connecting portion 56 is formed to be horizontally adjacent to the fixing portion 53 and is a cylindrical body that extends along the vertical direction. The first connecting portion 56 has a hollow cylindrical shape with its axial direction aligned with the vertical direction. The insertion portion 57A of the second connecting portion 57, which will be described later, is inserted into the inner circumferential surface 56A of the first connecting portion 56 (see Figures 6D to 6F). The inner circumferential surface 56A has an uneven shape that conforms to the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 57A. More specifically, grooves 56A1 into which the protrusions 57A1 of the insertion portion 57A are inserted are formed on the inner circumferential surface 56A at 60° intervals along the circumferential direction.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 56 is integrally formed with the fixing portion 53, but it may also be formed as a separate component from the fixing portion 53 and connected to the first connecting portion 56 using a connecting member or the like.

[0026] The second connecting portion 57 comprises an insertion portion 57A inserted into the first connecting portion 56 and a support portion 57B that supports the rotation axis 51A of the rear wheel 51. The insertion portion 57A is cylindrical in shape and extends vertically as a whole. Multiple protrusions 57A1 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 57A at predetermined angular intervals along the circumferential direction (see Figures 6D to 6F). In this embodiment, six protrusions 57A1 are formed at 60° intervals along the circumferential direction. Each protrusion 57A1 extends vertically.

[0027] The insertion portion 57A has a greater vertical length than the first connecting portion 56 into which it is inserted, and therefore has a portion that protrudes upward from the first connecting portion 56. This protruding portion is covered from above by a cap 58 and fixed to the cap 58 by a second fastening member 72 (for example, a screw).

[0028] The support portion 57B extends horizontally, with one end connected to the rotating shaft 51A of the rear wheel 51 and the other end connected to the lower end of the insertion portion 57A.

[0029] Furthermore, the rear leg caster 50 configured as described above is configured to allow adjustment of the lateral position of the rear wheel 51. More specifically, the lateral position of the pair of rear leg casters 50 is configured to be adjustable between the normal position shown in Figure 1 and the widened position shown in Figure 4. Below, the procedure for changing the rear wheel 51 from the normal position to the widened position will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 6A to 6G. Note that the procedure for changing from the widened position to the normal position is the reverse of the procedure for changing from the normal position to the widened position, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0030] First, the first fastening member 71 is removed from the rear leg caster 50 (Figure 6A) when the rear wheels 51 are in their normal position (the distance between the pair of rear wheels 51 in the left-right direction is L1) (Figure 6B). Then, the fixing part 53 of the mounting part 52 is rotated by 60° (60° clockwise when viewed from above) so that the fixing hole 53A of the fixing part 53 is aligned with another mounting hole 22A2. As previously described, there are six mounting holes 22A2 formed at 60° intervals on the lower end 22A of the rear leg part 22 of the side frame 20. Therefore, when the fixing part 53 is rotated by 60°, the fixing hole 53A of the fixing part 53 will align with another adjacent mounting hole 22A2 at an angular interval of 60°. Then, the first fastening member 71 is attached to the aligned fixing hole 53A and mounting hole 22A2 (Figure 6C). At this time, the axial direction of the rotation axis 51A of the rear wheel 51 is rotated 60° (60° clockwise when viewed from above) from the normal position shown in Figure 6A.

[0031] Next, by removing the second fastening member 72 of the cap 58, the insertion portion 57A of the second connecting portion 57 is pulled out from inside the first connecting portion 56 (Figures 6D and 6E). Then, with the insertion portion 57A rotated by 60° (60° counterclockwise when viewed from above), it is inserted back into the first connecting portion 56 (Figure 6F). As previously described, grooves 56A1 are formed on the inner circumferential surface 56A of the first connecting portion 56 at 60° intervals. Therefore, the protrusion 57A1 of the insertion portion 57A, which has been rotated by 60°, is inserted into another groove 56A1 adjacent to the groove 56A1 from which it was pulled out, at an angular interval of 60°.

[0032] By rotating the insertion part 57A in this way (rotating it 60° counterclockwise when viewed from above) and inserting it, the rotation axis 51A of the rear wheel 51 can be returned to its normal position, aligned with the left-right direction. By aligning the rotation axis 51A with the left-right direction, the rear wheel 51 can move appropriately along the front-rear direction. In other words, rotating the insertion part 57A by 60° means rotating the rotation axis 51A of the rear wheel 51, which is connected to the insertion part 57A via the support part 57B, by 60° around the central axis of the insertion part 57A (the central axis of the first connection part 56). The rotation axis 51A of the rear wheel 51 is provided by the mounting part 62 so as to be rotatable around the central axis of the first connection part 56.

[0033] Finally, the cap 58 and the second fastening member 72 are reattached (Figure 6G). This changes the rear wheels 51 of the rear leg caster 50 to the widened position (the distance between the pair of rear wheels 51 in the left-right direction is L2, L2>L1) (Figure 4).

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the front wheel caster 60 comprises a front wheel 61 and a mounting portion 62 for attaching the front wheel 61 to the lower end portion 21A of the front leg portion 21 of the side frame 20. Unlike the rear wheel caster 50, the front wheel caster 60 is provided so that the front wheel 61 can rotate 360°, but the left-right position of the pair of front wheels 61 is not adjustable. However, the configuration of the front wheel caster 60 is not limited, and various known configurations can be used. The same configuration as the rear wheel caster 50 may also be adopted for the front wheel caster 60, and the left-right position of the pair of front wheels 61 may also be adjustable.

[0035] As described above, the walker 10 according to this embodiment comprises a pair of side frames 20, 20 arranged in the left-right direction, a connecting portion 40 that connects the pair of side frames 20, 20 together, and a pair of first casters (rear leg casters) 50 provided on the lower end portions 22A of the pair of side frames 20. Each rear leg caster 50 comprises a rear wheel 51 and a mounting portion 52 for attaching the rear wheel 51 to the lower end portion 22A of the side frame 20. The mounting portion 52 is configured to allow adjustment of the left-right position of the rear wheel 51.

[0036] In this way, by adjusting the lateral position of the rear wheels 51, the stability of the walker 10 can be improved even when wheels (rear wheels 51 and front wheels 61) are added to the walker 10. More specifically, by changing the lateral position of the rear wheels 51 from the normal position to the widened position, the distance between the pair of rear wheels 51, 51 can be increased from L1 to L2, thereby improving the stability of the walker 10. Also, if the width of the passage through which the walker 10 passes is narrow, changing the lateral position of the rear wheels 51 from the widened position to the normal position allows passage through narrow passages, thus ensuring versatility. As a result, a wheeled walker 10 with excellent stability and versatility can be realized.

[0037] Furthermore, the mounting portion 62 includes a fixing portion 53 for fixing the rear wheel 51 to the lower end portion 22A of the side frame 20, and a connecting portion 55 for connecting the fixing portion 53 and the rear wheel 51. Multiple mounting holes 22A2 for fixing the fixing portion 53 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the side frame 20 at the lower end portion 22A of the side frame 20. The fixing position of the fixing portion 53 can be adjusted by changing the selection of the multiple mounting holes 22A2. The rear wheel 51 is provided (attached to the connecting portion 55) so that its rotation axis 51A is aligned in the left-right direction.

[0038] In this way, by changing the selection of mounting holes 22A2 to which the fixing part 53 is fixed, the fixing position of the fixing part 53 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the left-right position of the rear wheels 51 (the distance between the pair of rear wheels 51, 51). Furthermore, when attaching the rear wheels 51 to the connecting part 55, by attaching them so that the rotation axis 51A of the rear wheels 51 is aligned in the left-right direction, the rear wheels 51 can move suitably along the front-rear direction even when the fixing position of the fixing part 53 is adjusted by changing the selection of mounting holes 22A2.

[0039] Furthermore, the connecting portion 55 has a first connecting portion 56 which is a cylindrical body whose axial direction is aligned vertically, and the rotation axis 51A of the rear wheel 51 is provided to be rotatable around the central axis of the first connecting portion 56.

[0040] In this way, when attaching the rear wheel 51 to the connection part 55, the rotation axis 51A of the rear wheel 51 is rotated around the central axis of the first connection part 56, so that the rotation axis 51A of the rear wheel 51 is aligned in the left-right direction.

[0041] Furthermore, grooves 56A1 are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 56 at predetermined angular intervals (60°), and protrusions 57A1 that engage with the grooves 56A1 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 57A, which is connected to the rotating shaft 51A of the rear wheel 51 and inserted into the first connecting portion 56.

[0042] In this way, by engaging the groove 56A1 on the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 56 with the protrusion 57A1 on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 57A that is inserted into the first connecting portion 56, the rotation axis 51A of the rear wheel 51 can be rotated to a desired angle.

[0043] Each side frame 20 also includes a longitudinal front leg portion 21 extending vertically and a longitudinal rear leg portion 22 extending vertically and positioned behind the front leg portion 21. The first caster is a rear leg caster 50 provided at the lower end portion 22A of the rear leg portion 22.

[0044] By adopting a first caster, whose position in the left-right direction can be adjusted, as a rear wheel caster 50 provided at the lower end 22A of the rear leg portion 22, the stability of the walker 10 can be more reliably improved.

[0045] <Other Embodiments> The technologies disclosed herein are not limited to the embodiments described above in the description and drawings, but also include, for example, the following embodiments. (1) The groove 56A1 on the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 56, and the protrusion 57A1 of the insertion portion 57A that engages therewith do not have to be formed at an angle of 60°, and the angle may be less than 60° or greater than 60°. (2) The shape of the side frame 20 is not limited to the figure and can be changed as appropriate, as long as it can form the side frame of the walker 10. (3) The connecting portion 40 of the side frame 20 may consist of either the first left-right connecting portion 41 or the second left-right connecting portion 42, or it may consist of three or more left-right connecting portions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10…Walker, 20…Side frame, 21…Front leg, 22…Rear leg, 22A…Lower end, 22A2…Mounting hole, 40…Connecting part, 50…Rear leg caster (first caster), 51…Rear wheel, 51A…Rotation axis, 52…Mounting part, 53…Fixing part, 55…Connection part, 56…First connection part, 56A…Inner circumferential surface, 56A1…Groove, 57A…Insertion part, Protrusion…57A1

Claims

1. A pair of side frames arranged in the left-right direction, A connecting portion that connects the pair of side frames, The system includes a pair of first casters provided at the lower ends of the pair of side frames, Each of the aforementioned first casters is Wheels and, The vehicle comprises a mounting portion for attaching the wheel to the lower end of the side frame, The mounting portion is configured to allow adjustment of the left-right position of the wheel in a walker.

2. The aforementioned mounting portion is A fixing part for fixing the wheel to the lower end of the side frame, It comprises a connecting part that connects the fixed part and the wheel, The lower end of the side frame is provided with a plurality of mounting holes for fixing the fixing portion along the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the side frame. The fixing part is designed so that the fixing position can be adjusted by changing the selection of the multiple mounting holes. The walker according to claim 1, wherein the wheels are provided in a manner that allows their axis of rotation to be adjusted to align with the left-right direction.

3. The aforementioned connecting portion has a first connecting portion which is a cylindrical body whose axial direction is aligned vertically, The walking device according to claim 2, wherein the rotation axis of the wheel is provided to be rotatable around the central axis of the first connecting portion.

4. Grooves are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion at predetermined angular intervals. The walker according to claim 3, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion, which is connected to the rotation shaft of the wheel and inserted into the first connection portion, is provided with a protrusion that engages with the groove.

5. The walker according to claim 4, wherein the angle interval is 60°.

6. Each of the aforementioned side frames is Elongated front legs extending vertically, It has a longitudinal shape extending along the vertical direction and comprises a rear leg portion positioned behind the front leg portion, The walker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first caster is a rear leg caster provided at the lower end of the rear leg portion.

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