Wheelchair

Abstract

To provide a wheelchair that can demonstrate improving effect of a sitting comfort and suppressing effect of a bedsore and that enables a user to sit in a desired posture.SOLUTION: A belt-like waist support member and a belt-like back support member which can adjust amount of deflection to the dorsal part respectively are installed between a left and a right backrest frame parts 13. There are also provided with a waist cushion 91 supported by the belt-like waist support member and back part cushions 81, 81 supported by the belt-like back support member. The waist cushion 91 and the back part cushion 81 are composed of a cushion body having air permeability, a non-air permeable cover member that hermetically includes the cushion body, and a valve body that can control amount of air inside the cover member. According to such structure, because of stable maintenance of the waist cushion 91 and the back part cushion 81 in a deformed state at the time of seating, sitting comfort can be improved and occurrence of bedsore can be suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheelchair.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a wheelchair in which cushions are provided on a seating portion and a backrest portion. This cushion includes a cushion body and a covering material in which the cushion body is housed, and is respectively attached to the seating portion and the backrest portion of the wheelchair. Further, in the cushion attached to the seating portion, concave portions and convex portions along the shapes of the left and right buttocks are respectively formed in two cushion bodies, and in the cushion attached to the backrest portion, concave portions and convex portions along the shapes of the left and right backs and waists are respectively formed in two cushion bodies. According to such a configuration, it is excellent in sitting comfort and posture stability, and local compression of the body can be suppressed by the concave and convex portions, and the occurrence of bedsores can be suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the above-described conventional configuration has the effects of being excellent in sitting comfort and the like and suppressing the occurrence of bedsores by the cushions provided on the seating portion and the backrest portion. However, in a wheelchair, a configuration capable of further improving such effects is desired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair that can improve sitting comfort and can improve the effect of suppressing bedsores.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a wheelchair having a seating portion and a backrest portion for supporting the back of a user seated on the seating portion, and includes a main body frame having a pair of left and right backrest frame portions constituting the backrest portion, one or a plurality of belt-shaped waist support members installed between the lower portions of the left and right backrest frame portions and capable of adjusting the amount of deflection backward, one or a plurality of belt-shaped back support members installed between the backrest frame portions above the belt-shaped waist support members and capable of adjusting the amount of deflection backward, a cushion body having air permeability, an airtight covering member that hermetically encloses the cushion body, and a valve body capable of controlling the amount of air inside the covering member. A waist cushion disposed on the front side of the belt-shaped waist support member and supported by the belt-shaped waist support member, a cushion body having air permeability, an airtight covering member that hermetically encloses the cushion body, and a valve body capable of controlling the amount of air inside the covering member. A back cushion disposed on the front side of the belt-shaped back support member and supported by the belt-shaped back support member. In a state where the user is seated, the waist cushion supports the waist of the user, and the back cushion supports the upper back of the user. This is a characteristic wheelchair.

[0007] Here, the waist cushion and the back cushion are configured such that the valve body can keep the amount of air inside the covering member constant so that the cushion body can be deformed by external pressure and maintain the deformed state even after the pressure is released.

[0008] In such a configuration, the waist cushion and the back cushion can be deformed according to the body shape of the user (including distortion of the left-right balance due to disabilities, etc.), and the shapes of these cushions are maintained in the deformed state during seating. As a result, the pressure on the protruding parts of the body where the body pressure tends to concentrate and the parts where the load is applied can be dispersed throughout the body. Also, when sitting down next time, since the cushions in the deformed state suitable for the user can be used, an excellent sitting comfort and an effect of suppressing the occurrence of bedsores can be stably exhibited over a long period.

[0009] Furthermore, since this configuration can adjust the amount of deflection of each of the belt-shaped lumbar support member and the belt-shaped back support member according to the body shape of the seated user or the user's unique sitting posture, in the sitting state of the user, each of the cushions can be supported in a moderately tense state (a state with tension applied). As a result, even when using a cushion having a structure capable of maintaining a deformed state, when the user stands up from a wheelchair or the like, an appropriate reaction force is generated by the belt-shaped lumbar support member and the belt-shaped back support member against the local pressure acting at that time, and it is expected that the operation will be facilitated by utilizing the reaction force. Furthermore, since this configuration has an independent configuration of the lumbar cushion and the back cushion, for example, when strong pressure acts on one side when trying to stand up, it is possible to prevent the other side from being deformed by the pressure action. As a result, it is considered that the deformation of the cushion generated during the standing-up operation can be limited to either the lumbar region or the back region, and it is possible to suppress the difficulty of performing the operation due to the influence of the cushion deformation.

[0010] In addition, in the wheelchair of the present invention described above, a configuration is proposed in which the belt-shaped back support member and the back cushion are directly or indirectly detachably joined, while the belt-shaped lumbar support member is not joined to the lumbar cushion.

[0011] In such a configuration, since the belt-shaped back support member and the back cushion are joined to each other, when the user is seated, the belt-shaped back support member is restricted by the back cushion and the adjustment operation of the amount of deflection is not performed. On the other hand, since the belt-shaped lumbar support member is not joined to the lumbar cushion, even when the user is seated, the belt-shaped lumbar support member can perform the adjustment operation of the amount of deflection without being restricted by the lumbar cushion. Then, in the state where the user is seated, without changing the position of the user's back (in other words, with the position of the user's back as a reference), it becomes possible to adjust only the amount of deflection of the belt-shaped lumbar support member, so that the adjustment operation of the amount of deflection is simplified and a desired posture is more likely to be obtained, and the user is not forced to perform unreasonable movements.

[0012] Further, in the wheelchair of the present invention described above, at least one of the belt-like waist support member and the belt-like back support member includes a long main support belt portion having one end connected to one of the left and right backrest frame portions, and is connected to the other of the left and right backrest frame portions and engaged with the main support belt portion. A configuration is proposed in which the amount of deflection can be adjusted by changing the engagement position of the main support belt portion engaged with the sub-support belt portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] In such a configuration, the amount of deflection can be adjusted relatively easily by changing the engagement position of the main support belt portion engaged with the sub-support belt portion.

[0014] Further, in the wheelchair of the present invention described above, at least one of the belt-like waist support member and the belt-like back support member includes a long main support belt portion and a pair of left and right sub-support belt portions that are respectively connected to the left and right backrest frame portions in an opposing manner and engaged with the main support belt portion. A configuration is proposed in which the amount of deflection can be adjusted by changing the left and right engagement positions of the main support belt portion engaged with each sub-support belt portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] In such a configuration, the amount of deflection can be adjusted relatively easily by changing each engagement position of the main support belt portion engaged with the left and right sub-support belt portions. Incidentally, the amount of deflection can be adjusted only by changing the engagement position of the main support belt portion with one of the sub-support belt portions.

[0016] Furthermore, in such a configuration, the belt-like back support member includes a pair of left and right main support belt portions respectively engaged with the left and right sub-support belt portions, the left and right main support belt portions include backrest portions protruding from the left and right side edges to the left and right sides, and a configuration is proposed in which the belt-like back support member supports the back cushion via the backrest portions.

[0017] In such a configuration, by adjusting each engagement position of the left and right main support belt portions at once, the backrest portion can be arranged relatively easily and quickly at approximately the center between the left and right backrest frame portions.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] As described above, the wheelchair of the present invention is supported by a belt-shaped waist support member and a belt-shaped back support member whose deflection amount can be adjusted according to the body type and sitting posture of the user, and is deformed and held in accordance with the body type of the user when sitting. Therefore, excellent sitting comfort and the effect of suppressing the occurrence of pressure sores can be stably exhibited over a long period of time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment includes a main body frame 2 composed of metal pipes. The main body frame 2 includes a pair of left and right side frames 10, 10, and each side frame 10 includes a base frame portion 11 arranged in the front-rear direction, an up-down rear leg frame portion 12 joined to the rear portion of the base frame portion 11, a backrest frame portion 13 extending upward from the upper end of the rear leg frame portion 12, and an upper frame portion 15 extending forward from the upper end portion of the rear leg frame portion 12. Further, concave groove-shaped seat frame support portions 16, 16 are respectively arranged on the left and right upper frame portions 15, 15, and a pair of left and right seat frame portions 22, 22 extending in the front-rear direction are respectively placed on each seat frame support portion 16, 16.

[0021] The main wheels 3 are arranged on the above-described rear leg frame portion 12. Since conventionally used ones can be applied to the main wheels 3, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0022] A cross frame portion 19 is arranged between the pair of left and right side frames 10, 10, and a pair of rod members are rotatably connected at their respective centers. The lower ends of the pair of rod members of the cross frame portion 19 are rotatably connected to the left and right base frame portions 11, 11 constituting the side frames 10, 10, and the upper ends of the pair of rod members are rotatably connected to the left and right seat frame portions 22, 22.

[0023] Further, casters 24 are attached to the front end portions of the base frame portions 11. Since conventionally used ones can be applied to the casters 24, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0024] The main body frame 2 is configured such that the left and right side frames 10, 10 are connected by the cross frame portion 19. When the left and right seat frame portions 22, 22 are placed on the seat frame support portions 16, 16, the left and right side frames 10, 10 are held in a state of being separated from each other by a predetermined interval in the left - right direction. This state is the usable state in which a user can sit. When the left and right seat frame portions 22, 22 are lifted from such a usable state, both left and right ends of the cross frame portion 19 come close to each other, and accordingly, the left and right side frames 10, 10 come close to each other. Thereby, the main body frame 2 (that is, the wheelchair 1) is folded. In addition, since a conventionally used cross frame portion 19 can be applied, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0025] Next, the main part of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, on the left and right backrest frame portions 13, 13, an upper back support member 41 is stretched over the upper part thereof, and three belt - shaped waist support members 51 are respectively stretched over the lower part of the upper back support member 41 at intervals in the vertical direction.

[0026] The upper back support member 41 includes three strip-shaped back support members 31 that are respectively spanned over the left and right backrest frame parts 13, 13 at intervals in the vertical direction, and a backrest member 42 that is supported by the strip-shaped back support members 31 and disposed between the left and right backrest frame parts 13, 13. Here, the strip-shaped back support member 31 is composed of a non-stretchable cloth band. As shown in FIG. 5, it includes a main support band part 32 connected to one of the backrest frame parts 13 and a sub-support band part 33 connected to the other backrest frame part 13. The main support band part 32 includes a strip part 32a that is long in the left-right direction and an annular part 32b that is integrally formed at one end of the strip part 32a. With the annular part 32b inserted through one of the backrest frame parts 13, it is fixed to the backrest frame part 13 by a screw 30 (see FIG. 4). Further, a hook-and-loop fastener part 34 is provided on the back surface of the strip part 32a of the main support band part 32 at a position closer to the other end. On the other hand, the sub-support band part 33 includes a short strip part 33a in the left-right direction. A substantially rectangular annular buckle part 36 is connected to one end of the strip part 33a, and an annular part 33b is integrally formed at the other end of the strip part 33a. The sub-support band part 33 is fixed to the backrest frame part 13 by a screw 30 with the annular part 33b inserted through the other backrest frame part 13 (see FIG. 4).

[0027] The backrest member 42 is made of a non-stretchable substantially rectangular cloth. On the back surface, three insertion parts 43 for inserting the main support band part 32 of the strip-shaped back support member 31 in the left-right direction are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. And hook-and-loop fastener parts 44 are respectively provided on the back surfaces of the respective insertion parts 43. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, two hook-and-loop fastener parts 45, 45 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction on the front surface of the backrest member 42.

[0028] The upper back support member 41 composed of such three strip-shaped back support members 31 and the backrest member 42 is installed on the left and right backrest frame parts 13, 13 by engaging the main support band parts 32 connected to one of the backrest frame parts 13 and the sub-support band parts 33 connected to the other backrest frame part 13. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the main support belt portion 32 and the sub-support belt portion 33 that are connected at the same height are engaged by folding back the belt portion 32a of the main support belt portion 32 through the buckle portion 36 of the sub-support belt portion 33 and detachably joining the hook-and-loop fastener portion 34 of the belt portion 32a to the hook-and-loop fastener portion 44 of the backrest member 42. And overall, the upper back support member 41 is installed between the backrest frames 13, 13 (see FIG. 4). Further, the upper back support member 41 can adjust the amount of deflection of each strip-shaped back support member 31 backward by changing the engagement position (the length from the loop portion 32b to the folded-back portion) of folding back the belt portion 32a of each strip-shaped back support member 31 with the buckle portion 36.

[0029] Next, the strip-shaped waist support member 51 will be described. The above-described strip-shaped waist support member 51 is composed of a non-elastic cloth band. As shown in FIG. 7(A), it includes a main support belt portion 52 connected to one backrest frame portion 13 and a sub-support belt portion 53 connected to the other backrest frame portion 13. The main support belt portion 52 includes a belt portion 52a that is long in the left-right direction and a loop portion 52b that is integrally formed at one end of the belt portion 52a. With the loop portion 52b inserted through one backrest frame portion 13, it is fixed to the backrest frame portion 13 by a screw 30 (see FIG. 6). Further, a hook-and-loop fastener portion 54 is provided on the back surface of the belt portion 52a of the main support belt portion 52 at a position closer to the other end, and a hook-and-loop fastener portion 55 is provided on the back surface of the belt portion 52a at a position closer to one end than the hook-and-loop fastener portion 54. On the other hand, the sub-support belt portion 53 includes a short belt portion 53a in the left-right direction. A substantially rectangular ring-shaped buckle portion 56 is connected to one end of the belt portion 53a, and a loop portion 53b is integrally formed at the other end of the belt portion 53a. The sub-support belt portion 53 is fixed to the backrest frame portion 13 by a screw 30 with the loop portion 53b inserted through the other backrest frame portion 13 (see FIG. 4).

[0030] The three belt-shaped waist support members 51 are installed on the left and right backrest frame parts 13, 13 by engaging a main support belt part 52 and a sub-support belt part 53 that are respectively connected to the left and right backrest frame parts 13, 13 at the same height position. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7(B) and (C), the belt part 52a of the main support belt part 52 connected to one backrest frame part 13 is folded back through the buckle part 56 of the sub-support belt part 53 connected to the other backrest frame part 13, and is detachably joined to the hook-and-loop fastener part 54 and the hook-and-loop fastener part 55 of the belt part 53a to be engaged. In this way, each belt-shaped waist support member 51 is installed on the left and right backrest frame parts 13, 13 (see FIG. 4). And each belt-shaped waist support member 51 can adjust the amount of deflection backward respectively by changing the engagement position (the length from the ring part 52b to the folding part) where the belt part 52a of the main support belt part 52 is folded back by the buckle part 56.

[0031] Here, the adjustment of the amount of deflection of the belt-shaped waist support member 51 will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 8(A), if the length of the belt-shaped waist support member 51 between the backrest frame parts 13, 13 is relatively shortened, the maximum amount of deflection S1 of the belt-shaped waist support member 51 backward will be relatively small. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8(B), if the length of the belt-shaped waist support member 51 between the backrest frame parts 13, 13 is relatively lengthened, the maximum amount of deflection S2 of the belt-shaped waist support member 51 backward will be relatively large. In other words, by lengthening the length of the belt-shaped waist support member 51 between the backrest frame parts 13, 13, the belt-shaped waist support member 51 can increase the amount of deflection backward, and by shortening the length, the amount of deflection backward can be decreased. Here, the "backward" indicates the rearward direction in a direction perpendicular to the virtual plane P including the left and right backrest frame parts 13, 13 (each center line) described above.

[0032] The same applies to the upper back support member 41 in terms of the adjustment operation of the amount of deflection.

[0033] In this embodiment, the belt-shaped back support member 31 and the belt-shaped waist support member 51 described above are formed of the same cloth.

[0034] In addition, a rectangular seating support member (not shown) made of a non-stretchable fabric material is spanned across the left and right seat frame portions 22, 22 described above, with its left and right side edges fixed by screws (not shown). A hook-and-loop fastener portion (not shown) is provided on the surface of this seating support member.

[0035] Further, a seat member 61 shown in FIG. 9 is detachably attached to the main body frame 2 to which the upper back support member 41 and the belt-like waist support member 51 are attached in this manner.

[0036] To describe the seat member 61 in more detail, the single-piece seat member 61 is made of a relatively flexible and thin fabric and includes a seating seat portion 62 and a backrest seat portion 63. The backrest seat portion 63 is integrally formed from the rear edge of the seating seat portion 62.

[0037] The seating seat portion 62 is substantially rectangular and is placed on the seating support member spanned across the left and right seat frame portions 22, 22 described above. A hook-and-loop fastener portion (not shown) is provided on the back surface of this seating seat portion 62 and is detachably joined to the hook-and-loop fastener portion provided on the surface of the seating support member.

[0038] Hook-and-loop fastener portions 64, 64 extending in the left-right direction are arranged in parallel front and back on the surface of this seating seat portion 62, enabling the seating cushions 71, 71 described later to be attached.

[0039] In addition, the backrest seat portion 63 is substantially rectangular and is disposed in front of the upper back support member 41 and the belt-like waist support member 51 installed on the backrest frame portions 13, 13.

[0040] A hook-and-loop fastener portion (not shown) is appropriately provided on the upper back surface of the backrest seat portion 63 and can be joined to the hook-and-loop fastener portions 45, 45 of the upper back support member 41. Note that the backrest seat portion 63 is supported in a non-joined state by the three belt-like waist support members 51 described above.

[0041] Furthermore, on the front surface of the backrest seat portion 63, surface fastener portions 65, 65 extending in the left - right direction are arranged vertically side by side, enabling the attachment of a waist cushion 91 and a back cushion 81, which will be described later.

[0042] In this way, the seat member 61 is appropriately fixed at the desired position by joining the seating seat portion 62 to the seating support member and the backrest seat portion 63 to the upper back support member 41.

[0043] In addition, in this embodiment, the seating portion 6 according to the present invention is constituted by the seat frame portions 22, 22 and the seating seat portion 62 in a state where the seat member 61 is attached to the seat frame portions 22, 22 and the backrest frame portions 13, 13. And seating cushions 71, 71, which will be described later, are placed on this seating portion 6. Also, the backrest portion 7 according to the present invention is constituted by the backrest frame portions 13, 13, the backrest seat portion 63 in a state where the seat member 61 is attached to the seat frame portions 22, 22 and the backrest frame portions 13, 13, the upper back support members 41 (belt - like back support members 31) and the belt - like waist support members 51 installed on the left - and - right backrest frame portions 13, 13. And back cushions 81, 81 and a waist cushion 91, which will be described later, are arranged on this backrest portion 7.

[0044] Next, the seating cushion 71, the back cushion 81, and the waist cushion 91 attached to the seat member 61 will be described.

[0045] In the configuration of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, two seating cushions 71, 71 are attached side by side on the left and right to the seating seat portion 62 in the use state. Also, one waist cushion 91 is attached to the lower part of the backrest seat portion 63. In addition, two back cushions 81, 81 are attached side by side on the left and right above the waist cushion 91.

[0046] The seating cushion 71 is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape, with the width in the left-right direction set to approximately 1 / 2 of the left-right width of the seating seat portion 62, and the length in the front-rear direction set to be substantially the same as the front-rear length of the seating seat portion 62. As a result, the two seating cushions 71, 71 are placed side by side on the seating seat portion 62, thereby being disposed across the left-right width of the seating seat portion 62 and covering the entire upper surface of the seating seat portion 62. And the seating cushions 71, 71 will be supported by the seating seat portion 62 installed on the left and right seat frame portions 22, 22.

[0047] More specifically, the seating cushion 71 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cushion body 72 as shown in FIG. 10, and a covering member 73 that encloses the cushion body 72 in a sealed manner. The cushion body 72 is made of a foamed urethane material and has air permeability. The covering member 73 is formed of a non-breathable resin sheet material, and is provided with a valve body 74 that can be converted between an open state in which the inside communicates with the outside and a closed state in which the inside is closed. Further, in this embodiment, a mesh-like cover member 75 that entirely covers the covering member 73 is provided, and the covering member 73 that encloses the cushion body 72 is enclosed by the cover member 75. The cover member 75 is provided with a through hole (not shown) that penetrates the valve body 74, and in a state where the covering member 73 is enclosed, the valve body 74 protrudes outward.

[0048] Here, the valve body 74 is provided such that its tip portion can rotate forward and backward, and by rotating the tip portion forward and backward, it can be converted between the open state and the closed state. In this way, the valve body 74 can control the amount of air inside the covering member 73 by rotating the tip portion thereof. Since such a valve body 74 can adopt a conventionally known configuration, its details will be omitted.

[0049] In addition, the seating cushion 71 is provided with an opening (not shown) in the covering member 73 through which the cushion body 72 can enter and exit, and the opening can be opened and closed by a wire fastener (not shown). The covering member 73 can seal the inside by closing the opening with this wire fastener.

[0050] Such a seating cushion 71 has a hook-and-loop fastener portion 76 disposed on the lower surface of the cover member 75, and the hook-and-loop fastener portion 76 is joined to a hook-and-loop fastener portion 64 (see FIG. 10) disposed on the upper surface of the seating seat portion 62 of the seat member 61, whereby it is detachably mounted on the seating seat portion 62. In the mounted state, the seating cushion 71 is prevented from shifting in the front-rear, left-right directions. Further, in this embodiment, the cover member 75 covering the covering member 73 is provided with the hook-and-loop fastener portion 76. In this configuration, the hook-and-loop fastener portion 76 can be sewn to the cover member 75. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the airtightness of the covering member 73 when the hook-and-loop fastener portion 76 is bonded to the covering member 73.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lumbar cushion 91 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the width in the left-right direction is set to be substantially the same as the left-right width of the backrest seat portion 63, and the length in the up-down direction is set to be about 1 / 2 of the up-down length of the backrest seat portion 63.

[0052] On the other hand, the back cushion 81 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the width in the left-right direction is set to be about 1 / 2 of the left-right width of the backrest seat portion 63, and the length in the up-down direction is set to be about 1 / 2 of the up-down length of the backrest seat portion 63. Also, the lumbar cushion 91 and the back cushion 81 are set to have substantially the same thickness.

[0053] That is, one lumbar cushion 91 is disposed at the lower front portion of the backrest seat portion 63 so as to be arranged across the left and right widths of the backrest seat portion 63. Two backrest cushions 81, 81 are arranged side by side left and right directly above the lumbar cushion 91 and disposed on the front surface of the backrest seat portion 63 so as to be arranged across the left and right widths of the backrest seat portion 63. By arranging one lumbar cushion 91 and two backrest cushions 81, 81 in this way, the entire front surface of the backrest seat portion 63 is covered. The lumbar cushion 91 is supported by three belt-like lumbar support members 51 installed on the left and right backrest frame portions 13, 13, and the backrest cushions 81, 81 are supported by upper back support members 41 (three belt-like back support members 31) installed on the left and right backrest frame portions 13, 13.

[0054] The lumbar cushion 91 and the backrest cushion 81 have the same internal structure as the seating cushion 71 and have the same functions.

[0055] For the sake of explanation, as shown in FIG. 10, the lumbar cushion 91 includes a cushion body 92 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a covering member 93 that encloses the cushion body 92 in a sealed manner, and a cover member 95 that entirely covers the covering member 93. The cushion body 92 is made of a urethane material and has air permeability, and the covering member 93 is made of a resin sheet material and is airtight. Further, a valve body 94 is provided on the covering member 93, and the amount of air inside the covering member 93 can be controlled. This valve body 94 protrudes outward from a through hole (not shown) of the cover member 95. Incidentally, the covering member 93 is provided with an opening (not shown) through which the cushion body 92 can be inserted and removed and a wire fastener (not shown). Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the back cushion 81 includes a cushion body 82 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a covering member 83 that encloses the cushion body 82 in a sealed manner, and a cover member 85 that entirely covers the covering member 83. The cushion body 82 is made of a urethane material and has air permeability, and the covering member 83 is made of a resin sheet material and is airtight. Further, a valve body 84 is provided on the covering member 83, and the amount of air inside the covering member 83 can be controlled. This valve body 84 protrudes outward from a through hole (not shown) of the cover member 85. Incidentally, the covering member 83 is provided with an opening (not shown) through which the cushion body 82 can be inserted and removed and a wire fastener (not shown).

[0056] Also, a hook-and-loop fastener portion 96 is disposed on the back surface of the cover member 95 of the lumbar cushion 91, and the hook-and-loop fastener portion 96 can be joined to a hook-and-loop fastener portion 65 (see FIG. 9) disposed at the lower front of the backrest seat portion 63. When the lumbar cushion 91 is attached to the front of the backrest seat portion 63, displacement of the lumbar cushion 91 in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions is prevented.

[0057] Similarly, the back cushion 81 has a hook-and-loop fastener portion 86 disposed on the back surface of the cover member 85, and the hook-and-loop fastener portion 86 can be joined to a hook-and-loop fastener portion 65 (see FIG. 9) disposed on the upper front surface of the backrest seat portion 63. When the back cushion 81 is attached to the front surface of the backrest seat portion 63, the back cushion 81 is prevented from shifting in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions.

[0058] Next, the use of the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment will be described. When using the wheelchair 1, the valve bodies 74, 74 of the seating cushions 71, 71, the valve body 94 of the lumbar cushion 91, and the valve bodies 84 of the back cushions 81, 81 are opened, and the respective cushion bodies 72, 82, 92 are put in a ventilated state with the outside.

[0059] In this state, when the user sits down, the seating cushions 71, 71 are deformed according to the shapes of the user's buttocks and thighs, the lumbar cushion 91 is deformed according to the shape of the user's waist, and the back cushions 81, 81 are deformed according to the shape of the upper back (the part from the scapula to the shoulder) of the user. Then, by closing the valve bodies 74, 84, 94 of the respective cushions 71, 81, 91 in this deformed state, the flow of air between the inside and the outside of the respective covering members 73, 83, 93 is blocked, so that the respective cushion bodies 72, 82, 92 are maintained in the deformed shape. As a result, when the user uses the wheelchair 1 from the next time, the wheelchair 1 can be used with the respective cushions 71, 81, 91 having shapes suitable for the user.

[0060] In this way, when the seating cushions 71, 71 are deformed according to the user's buttocks and thighs, the local pressure acting on the buttocks and thighs can be dispersed over the entire buttocks and thighs. Similarly, when the lumbar cushion 91 is deformed according to the user's waist, the local pressure acting on the waist can be dispersed over the entire waist, and when the back cushions 81, 81 are deformed according to the upper back of the user, the local pressure acting on the upper back can be dispersed over the entire upper back. For these reasons, the sitting comfort can be improved.

[0061] Here, the state where the user is seated on the wheelchair 1 will be described in detail. For example, among users, there may be a distortion in the left - right balance due to reasons such as old age or disability. Due to such a distortion in the left - right balance, there is a difference in the weight borne on the left and right in the seated state. In the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment, since the left - and - right seating cushions 71, 71 are each of an independent configuration, they support the user's left - and - right buttocks and thighs respectively in the seated state. Therefore, the left - and - right seating cushions 71, 71 can be deformed into the respective shapes of the user's left - and - right buttocks and thighs by the different left - and - right weights acting due to the distortion of the left - right balance. In this way, since the local pressure caused by the distortion of the left - right balance can be dispersed over the entire buttocks and thighs of the user by the left - and - right seating cushions 71, 71, as described above, the sitting comfort can be improved.

[0062] Similarly, since the left - and - right backrest cushions 81, 81 are each of an independent configuration, they support the user's left - and - right scapulas and shoulders respectively in the seated state. Therefore, the left - and - right backrest cushions 81, 81 can be deformed into the respective shapes of the user's left - and - right scapulas and shoulders by the different left - and - right weights acting due to the distortion of the left - right balance. Thereby, since the local pressure caused by the distortion of the left - right balance can be dispersed over the entire upper back of the user, as described above, the sitting comfort can be improved.

[0063] On the other hand, the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment supports the user's waist with a single lumbar cushion 91. Here, the waist supported by the lumbar cushion 91 is the part from the lumbar vertebrae through the sacrum to the left - and - right iliac bones, and is a part of the trunk that supports the upper body. The single lumbar cushion 91 can be deformed according to the shape of the back of the waist by continuously supporting the back of such a waist in the left - right direction. Thereby, it can be bent and deformed relatively greatly so as to wrap the user's waist from behind, and the waist can be supported more stably by this deformation.

[0064] Furthermore, the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment adjusts the amount of deflection of the belt-shaped back support member 31 and the amount of deflection of the belt-shaped waist support member 51 according to the body type and sitting posture of the user, so that in the sitting state of the user, the belt-shaped back support member 31 and the belt-shaped waist support member 51 support the respective cushions 81, 91 in a moderately tensioned state. Specifically, since the belt-shaped back support member 31 and the belt-shaped waist support member 51 are made of non-stretchable cloth, they support the seated user in a state of being deflected and tensioned to the adjusted amount of deflection (in other words, in a state where tension is applied). By supporting the back cushion 81 and the waist cushion 91 with such a belt-shaped back support member 31 and belt-shaped waist support member 51, each of the cushions 81, 91 can be stably deformed in a form suitable for the body type of the user as described above. Also, when the seated user changes their posture or stands up, local pressure is likely to act on different parts than when sitting, and although this pressure action may cause each of the cushions 81, 91 to deform, according to the configuration of this embodiment, an appropriate reaction force is generated by the belt-shaped back support member 31 and the belt-shaped waist support member 51 in an appropriate state of tension against the local pressure, and it is possible to suppress each of the cushions 81, 91 from deforming due to the local pressure. In addition, it is considered that it becomes easier to perform operations such as changing the posture, returning to the original posture, or standing up by utilizing this reaction force.

[0065] Specifically, since the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment allows the belt-shaped back support member 31 and the belt-shaped waist support member 51 to adjust their respective amounts of deflection, the front-back position that supports the upper back (thorax) of the user and the front-back position that supports the waist (pelvis) of the user can be adjusted according to the body type of the user and the like.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the upper back support member 41 is joined to the back cushions 81, 81 via the backrest seat portion 63 by means of the hook-and-loop fastener portions 45, 65, 86, the amount of deflection of the belt-like back support member 31 will be adjusted before the user sits down. On the other hand, since the belt-like waist support member 51 is not joined to the backrest seat portion 63, the amount of deflection can be adjusted without being restricted by the backrest seat portion 63 when the user is sitting. In addition, the three belt-like waist support members 51 can independently adjust their respective amounts of deflection. For these reasons, for example, while the user is sitting, the amount of deflection of each belt-like waist support member 51 can be finely adjusted so as to assume a posture of raising the pelvis. Furthermore, in this configuration, since the adjustment operation of the amount of deflection of the belt-like back support member 31 corresponding to the upper back of the user is not performed in the sitting state of the user, the amount of deflection of the belt-like waist support member 51 can be adjusted without changing the position of the upper back of the user to obtain a posture in which the pelvis stands properly. And since the user can sit stably in a desired posture, there is also an advantage that when eating in the wheelchair 1 in a sitting state, it is easy to carry food and drink to the user's mouth and eating and drinking can be easily performed.

[0067] As described above, according to the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment, by deforming each of the cushions 71, 81, 91 according to the body type of the user, the effect of improving the sitting comfort of the user and the effect of suppressing the occurrence of pressure sores can be exhibited, and by adjusting the amount of deflection of the upper back support member 41 and the belt-like waist support member 51, the user can sit in a desired posture and the sitting posture can be stabilized.

[0068] Furthermore, in the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment, since the seat member 61 is detachable from the upper back support members 41 fixed to the left and right backrest frames 13, 13 and the seating support members (not shown) fixed to the left and right seat frames 22, 22, it is possible to remove the seat member 61 with the cushion members 71, 81, 91 mounted thereon. As a result, when folding the wheelchair 1, by removing the seat member 61, the cushion members 71, 81, 91 can also be removed together, thus reducing the labor required for the operation of individually removing the cushion members 71, 81, 91. Also, when attaching the seat member 61, the cushion members 71, 81, 91 can be attached together in the same manner, reducing the labor required for the attachment operation.

[0069] In this embodiment, "rearward" refers to the back side of the lumbar cushion 91 and the back cushion 81 in the direction orthogonal to the virtual plane P described above. Also, the usage state of the user includes the seated state of the user and the state maintaining the deformed shape due to seating.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the dimensional shapes of the respective parts in the above-described embodiments can be appropriately changed.

[0071] In the above-described embodiments, the number of installations of the belt-like waist support member 51 and the belt-like back support member 31 can be appropriately changed. Also, in the embodiment, the back cushion 81, 81 is supported by the upper back support member 41, but it is not limited thereto, and a configuration may be adopted in which the backrest member 42 is not provided and the belt-like back support member 31 supports the back cushion 81, 81 via the seat member 61.

[0072] In the above-described embodiments, the belt-like waist support member 51 and the belt-like back support member 31 are made of the same cloth, but it is not limited thereto, and they may be formed of different materials.

[0073] In the foregoing embodiments, each strip-shaped back support member 31 constituting the upper back support member 41 is configured by the main support strip portion 32 and the sub-support strip portion 33. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in the modified example of FIG. 11, the upper back support member 101 includes a support portion 102 having a plurality of pairs of left and right main support strip portions 105, 105 provided on both left and right side edges, and a pair of left and right connecting portions 103, 103 respectively connected to the left and right backrest frame portions 13, 13. Here, in the support portion 102, a plurality of the above-mentioned pairs of left and right main support strip portions 105, 105 project from both left and right side edges of the rectangular backrest member 104 at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. A hook-and-loop fastener portion 106 is provided on the back surface of one of the left and right main support strip portions 105, and a hook-and-loop fastener portion 107 is provided on the front surface of the other of the left and right main support strip portions 105. Further, a hook-and-loop fastener portion (not shown) is disposed on the front surface of the support portion 102, and is joined to the hook-and-loop fastener portion of the backrest sheet portion 63 of the sheet member 61 in the same manner as in the foregoing embodiments. On the other hand, the connecting portion 103 includes a plurality of sub-support strip portions 112 disposed at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and the plurality of sub-support strip portions 112 are integrally formed by an annular portion 111 extending in the vertical direction. That is, the connecting portion 103 includes the annular portion 111 and a plurality of strip portions 114 provided at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction from the annular portion 111 and protruding to one of the left and right sides. A substantially rectangular annular buckle portion 113 is connected to the protruding end portion of each strip portion 114, and the sub-support strip portion 112 is constituted by each strip portion 114, the buckle portion 113, and the annular portion 111. Then, the connecting portion 103 is fixed to the backrest frame portion 13 by a screw (not shown) with the backrest frame portion 13 inserted through the annular portion 111. Such an upper back support member 101 is installed on the left and right backrest frame portions 13, 13 by connecting the left and right connecting portions 103, 103 respectively fixed to the left and right backrest frame portions 13, 13 and the support portion 102. That is, one of the left and right main support strip portions 105 is folded back through the buckle portion 113 provided on each sub-support strip portion 112 of one of the connecting portions 103, and the other of the left and right main support strip portions 105 is folded back through the buckle portion 113 provided on each sub-support strip portion 112 of the other connecting portion 103.Then, the folded main support belt portions 105, 105 are overlapped with each other, and the hook-and-loop fastener portion 106 provided on one back surface and the hook-and-loop fastener portion 107 provided on the other front surface are detachably joined. Thereby, the left and right main support belt portions 105, 105 and the left and right sub-support belt portions 112, 112 are engaged, and the upper back support member 101 is installed on the backrest frame portions 13, 13. Also in the upper back support member 101 of such a modified example, similar to the above-described embodiment, by changing the engagement positions of the left and right main support belt portions 105, 105 with the left and right sub-support belt portions 112, 112, the amount of deflection backward can be adjusted. Further, with such a configuration, by adjusting the engagement positions of the left and right main support belt portions 105, 105 at once, the backrest member 104 can be arranged relatively simply and quickly at a substantially center between the left and right backrest frame portions 13, 13. Therefore, the backrest member 104 can support the back cushions 81, 81 more stably.

[0074] In the configurations of the above-described embodiment and modified example (FIG. 11), the sub-support belt portions constituting the belt-like back support member and the belt-like waist support member have a configuration including an annular portion, a belt portion, and a buckle portion, but are not limited thereto. For example, a configuration in which the buckle portion is directly connected to the backrest frame portion may be used. Thus, the configuration of the sub-support belt portion can be appropriately changed.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the seat member 61 is configured as a single piece that integrally connects the seating seat portion 62 and the backrest seat portion 63, but is not limited thereto. The seating seat portion and the backrest seat portion may be separate members. In this configuration, the backrest seat portion can be removed and attached while the waist cushion 91 and the back cushion 81 are mounted, and the seating seat portion can be attached and removed while the seating cushion 71 is mounted. Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, the labor required for the operation of individually attaching or removing each of the cushions 71, 81, 91 can be reduced.

[0076] In the foregoing embodiments, the seating support members (not shown) installed on the left and right seat frame portions 22, 22 can also be configured such that the amount of deflection can be adjusted in the same manner as the belt-shaped back support member 31.

[0077] In the foregoing embodiments, the number of seating cushions placed on the seating seat portion 62 and the number of back cushions 81 arranged on the front surface of the backrest seat portion 63 can be appropriately changed. For example, a configuration can be adopted in which one seating cushion covering the entire upper surface of the seating seat portion 62 is placed on the seating seat portion 62. Also, a configuration can be adopted in which one back cushion set to the same left-right width as the backrest seat portion 63 is arranged on the backrest seat portion 63.

[0078] In the foregoing embodiments, the cushion bodies 72, 82, 92 constituting the respective cushions 71, 81, 91 are formed from one type of material (foam urethane), but are not limited thereto, and may be formed by combining a plurality of different materials. For example, each of the cushion bodies 72, 82, 92 can be formed by laminating a hard material and a soft material. In a configuration in which this cushion body 72, 82, 92 is applied, it is preferable to dispose the soft material on the user side. Also, each of the cushions 71, 81, 91 can be configured such that at least one of them includes a cushion body 72, 82, 92 made of a material different from the others. For example, the seating cushion 71 and the back cushion 81 can be configured to include a cushion body formed by laminating the above-described hard material and soft material, and the lumbar cushion 91 can be configured to include the same cushion body 92 as in the first embodiment.

[0079] In the above-described embodiments, the valve bodies 74, 84, 94 of the respective cushions 71, 81, 91 are configured to be manually opened and closed by a user, a caregiver, or the like. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the valve bodies may be configured to be opened and closed semi-automatically or automatically. For example, as a semi-automatic valve body, a valve portion that can be converted between an open state and a closed state is provided, and the valve portion is configured to be biased to the closed state. In this configuration, the valve portion is normally held in the closed state and is converted to the open state by an increase in the internal pressure of the cushion. Therefore, when the user is seated, the cushion body can be deformed in the same manner as in the embodiment, and then, when the internal pressure becomes equal to the external pressure, the valve portion returns to the closed state. For this reason, the deformed state can be maintained. It should be noted that, similar to the embodiment, a valve body having such a configuration is preferably one in which the valve portion can be manually opened.

[0080] On the other hand, as an automatic valve body, for example, a valve portion that can be converted between an open state and a closed state and a drive control device that operates to convert the valve portion between the open state and the closed state are provided, and the drive control device is configured to open and close the valve portion according to a signal received from a pressure detection means disposed in the cushion. It should be noted that, also in this valve body, a configuration in which the drive control device is driven by a switch operation to open and close the valve portion is preferable.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the backrest frame portion 13 extends linearly upward from the upper end of the rear leg frame portion 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the backrest frame portion 121 may be composed of a linear main frame rod portion 122 and a sub-frame rod portion 123 branched from the main frame rod portion 122. Here, the sub-frame rod portion 123 is provided in front of the main frame rod portion 122 and joined to a substantially central portion of the main frame rod portion 122. In a wheelchair having such a backrest frame portion 121, an upper back support member 41 is spanned above the joint portion of the sub-frame rod portion 123 on the main frame rod portion 122, and a belt-like waist support member 51 is spanned on the sub-frame rod portion 123. In the configuration of such a modification, since the sub-frame rod portion 123 on which the belt-like waist support member 51 is installed is located in front of the main frame rod portion 122 on which the upper back support member 41 is installed, the waist (pelvis) of the user can be supported in front of the upper back (thorax), so that the user can sit in a posture with the waist upright.

Explanation of Signs

[0082] 1 Wheelchair 2 Body Frame 3 Main Wheel 6 Seating Portion 7 Backrest Portion 10 Side Frame 11 Base Frame Portion 12 Rear Leg Frame Portion 13 Backrest Frame Portion 15 Upper Frame Portion 16 Seat Frame Support Portion 19 Cross Frame Portion 22 Seat Frame Portion 24 Caster 30 Screw 31 Belt-like Back Support Member 32 Main Support Belt Portion 32a Belt Portion 32b Ring Portion 33 Sub-Support Belt Portion 33a Belt Portion 33b Ring Portion 34 Surface Fastener Portion 36 Buckle part 41 Upper back support member 42 Backrest member 43 Insertion part 44, 45 Hook-and-loop fastener parts 51 Band-shaped waist support member 52 Main support band part 52a Band part 52b Ring part 53 Sub-support band part 53a Band part 53b Ring part 54, 55 Hook-and-loop fastener parts 56 Buckle part 61 Seat member 62 Seating seat part 63 Backrest seat part 64, 65 Hook-and-loop fastener parts 71 Seating cushion 72 Cushion body 73 Cover member 74 Valve body 75 Cover member 76 Hook-and-loop fastener part 81 Back cushion 82 Cushion body 83 Cover member 84 Valve body 85 Cover member 86 Hook-and-loop fastener part 91 Waist cushion 92 Cushion body 93 Cover member 94 Valve body 95 Cover member 96 Hook-and-loop fastener part 101 Upper back support member 102 Support part 103 Connecting part 104 Backrest member 105 Main support band part 106, 107 Hook-and-loop fastener parts 111 Ring part 112 Sub-support band part 113 Buckle part 114 Band part 121 Backrest frame part 122 Main frame rod part 123 Sub-frame rod part P Virtual plane S1, S2 Deflection amount

Claims

【Claim 1】 In a wheelchair having a seating portion and a backrest portion that supports the back of a user seated on the seating portion, a main frame including a pair of left and right backrest frame portions constituting the backrest portion; one or more non-elastic belt-like lumbar support members installed at each lower portion of the left and right backrest frame portions and capable of adjusting the amount of deflection backward; one or more non-elastic belt-like back support members installed between the backrest frame portions above the belt-like lumbar support members and capable of adjusting the amount of deflection backward; a cushion body having air permeability, an airtight covering member that encloses the cushion body in a sealed manner, and a valve body capable of controlling the amount of air inside the covering member, and a lumbar cushion disposed on the front side of the belt-like lumbar support member and supported by the belt-like lumbar support member; a cushion body having air permeability, an airtight covering member that encloses the cushion body in a sealed manner, and a valve body capable of controlling the amount of air inside the covering member, and a back cushion separate from the lumbar cushion, disposed on the front side of the belt-like back support member and supported by the belt-like back support member; comprising in a state where the user is seated, the lumbar cushion supports the user's lumbar region, and the back cushion supports the upper back of the user; a wheelchair characterized in that the belt-like back support member and the back cushion are detachably joined, while the belt-like lumbar support member is not joined to the lumbar cushion.

Images