Wheelchair fixing structure

Abstract

To provide a convenient wheelchair fixation structure capable of fine adjustment of a fixation place of a wheelchair.SOLUTION: A wheelchair fixation structure comprises: a wheelchair to be loaded on the rear floor of a vehicle; and a stopper which abuts on or is engaged with an anchor bar set to the wheelchair, and restricts the movement of the wheelchair toward the front of the vehicle. The stopper is set to be slidable in the front and rear direction of the vehicle on the rear floor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing structure for a wheelchair. [Background technology]

[0002] The wheelchair fixing structure of Patent Document 1 includes a hook device for hooking the anchor bar of the wheelchair. As shown in FIG. 16 of Patent Document 1, the anchor bar of the wheelchair is provided between the main wheels, which are the rear wheels of the wheelchair, and the auxiliary wheels, which are the front wheels. This anchor bar is provided along the width direction of the wheelchair. The hook device has a hook plate. The rear end of the hook plate is supported so as to be able to swing freely up and down relative to the vehicle compartment floor. A hook portion that engages with the anchor bar is provided at the rear end of the hook plate. The anchor bar is engaged with this hook portion, thereby fixing the wheelchair to the vehicle compartment floor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-134243 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the wheelchair fixing structure of Patent Document 1, as mentioned above, the rear end of the hook plate is supported so as to be able to swing freely up and down relative to the vehicle floor, so the wheelchair can only be fixed in a specific position on the vehicle floor. Therefore, the wheelchair fixing position cannot be finely adjusted, making it inconvenient to use.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly wheelchair fixing structure that allows fine adjustment of the fixing points of the wheelchair. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A wheelchair fixing structure according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A wheelchair mounted on the rear floor of the vehicle; a stopper portion that abuts or engages with an anchor bar set on the wheelchair and restricts forward movement of the wheelchair on the vehicle; The stopper portion is set on the rear floor so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The wheelchair fixing structure has a stopper portion that is slidably set on the rear floor, so that the position of the stopper portion can be changed. In other words, the wheelchair fixing structure allows fine adjustment of the fixing point of the wheelchair. Therefore, the wheelchair fixing structure is easy to use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a wheelchair fixing structure according to an embodiment, as viewed from the left side of the vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outline of a wheelchair provided in the wheelchair fixing structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a stopper portion provided in the fixing structure of the wheelchair according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a slide mechanism provided in the fixing structure of the wheelchair according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the wheelchair fixing structure of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the figures, "FR" indicates the front of a vehicle 100 equipped with the wheelchair fixing structure 1 according to the embodiment, "RR" indicates the rear of the vehicle 100, "UP" indicates the top of the vehicle 100, and "LWR" indicates the bottom of the vehicle 100.

[0010] <<Embodiment>> [Wheelchair fixing structure] The wheelchair fixing structure 1 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 includes a wheelchair 10. The wheelchair 10 is mounted on the rear floor 110 of a vehicle 100. One of the features of the wheelchair fixing structure 1 according to this embodiment is that it satisfies the following requirements (A) to (C). (A) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wheelchair 10 has an anchor bar 14. (B) As shown in FIG. 1, the wheelchair fixing structure 1 includes a stopper portion 3 that abuts or engages with the anchor bar 14 to restrict the forward movement of the wheelchair 10. (C) As shown in FIG. 4, the stopper portion 3 is set on the rear floor 110 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. Each component will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the wheelchair fixing structure 1 further includes an electric winch 2.

[0011] [wheelchair] The wheelchair 10 comprises left and right frames 11, left and right front wheels 12, left and right rear wheels 13, and an anchor bar 14. For ease of explanation, the spokes of the rear wheels 13 are not shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 2, each frame 11 is provided with a seat 151, a back support 152, a leg support 153, a foot support 154, and a handle 155. Each frame 11 is also provided with arm supports (not shown).

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, each frame 11 has a front piece 11f, a rear piece 11r, an upper piece 11u, and a lower piece 11d. The front piece 11f is provided on the front side of the wheelchair 10. The front piece 11f extends in the vertical direction. The rear piece 11r is provided on the rear side of the wheelchair 10. The rear piece 11r also extends in the vertical direction. The upper piece 11u is provided on the upper side of the wheelchair 10. The upper piece 11u extends in the front-to-rear direction. The lower piece 11d is provided on the lower side of the wheelchair 10. The lower piece 11d also extends in the front-to-rear direction. The upper piece 11u is connected to the front piece 11f and the rear piece 11r. The lower piece 11d is connected to the front piece 11f and the rear piece 11r. A front wheel 12 is connected below the front piece 11f. The front wheel 12 is an auxiliary wheel. An axle 131 of the rear wheel 13 is connected to the middle of the rear piece 11r. For ease of explanation, the axle of the rear wheel 13 is not shown in Fig. 2. The rear wheel 13 is a drive wheel.

[0013] In this embodiment, the anchor bar 14 extends in the width direction of the wheelchair 10. There are no particular limitations on the location where the anchor bar 14 is fixed. The anchor bar 14 may be provided between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 13, but is preferably provided inside the outer periphery of the rear wheel 13 and below the axle 131 of the rear wheel 13 when the wheelchair 10 is viewed from the side while mounted on the rear floor 110 as in this embodiment. The outer periphery of the rear wheel 13 refers to the outer periphery of the rubber tire attached to the outer periphery of the rim of the rear wheel 13.

[0014] The anchor bar 14 becomes the center of rotation during a frontal collision of the vehicle 100. A comparison is made between this embodiment, in which the anchor bar 14 is located inside the outer periphery of the rear wheel 13 and below the axle 131 of the rear wheel 13, and another embodiment, in which the anchor bar 14 is located between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 13. When the wheelchair 10 is viewed from the side while mounted on the rear floor 110, the center of gravity G of the wheelchair 10 is located inside the outer periphery of the rear wheel 13 and forward and above the axle 131. In the above-mentioned another embodiment, during a frontal collision, the front wheels of the wheelchair tend to shift downward and the rear wheels tend to shift upward, causing the center of gravity of the wheelchair to rotate forward and upward. As a result, the front wheels of the wheelchair are pressed against the rear floor, and the rear wheels are not pressed against the rear floor. This results in a large load acting on the front wheels of the wheelchair. On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment, in the event of a frontal collision, not only the front wheels 12 but also the rear wheels 13 tend to shift downward, as compared to the case of the other embodiment, and the center of gravity G of the wheelchair 10 rotates forward and downward. As a result, both the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 13 are pressed against the rear floor 110. Therefore, it is easy to distribute the load between the front wheels 12 and the rear wheels 13.

[0015] To facilitate distribution of the load, the anchor bar 14 is preferably provided in a region below the axle 131, in a region surrounded by a first virtual line V1 and a second virtual line V2. The first virtual line V1 is a straight line passing through the axle 131 and forms an angle of +α with the reference virtual line V0. The second virtual line V2 is a straight line passing through the axle 131 and forms an angle of -α with the reference virtual line V0. The reference virtual line V0 is a straight line passing through the axle 131 and extending in the vertical direction. The reference virtual line V0 is defined as 0°. The first virtual line V1 is located forward of the reference virtual line V0 on the vehicle 100. In other words, a positive angle refers to an angle forward of the reference virtual line V0 on the vehicle 100. The second virtual line V2 is located rearward of the reference virtual line V0 on the vehicle 100. In other words, a negative angle refers to an angle rearward of the reference virtual line V0 on the vehicle 100. The angle α is, for example, 60°. The angle α is preferably 45°, more preferably 30°, and particularly preferably 15°.

[0016] To facilitate distribution of the load, it is particularly preferable that the anchor bar 14 is provided on the reference virtual line V0 or in the region between the reference virtual line V0 and the second virtual line V2 at the angle α of 15°. The anchor bar 14 in this embodiment is provided near the reference virtual line V0. The anchor bar 14 in this embodiment is provided behind the reference virtual line V0 when the wheelchair 10 is viewed from the side while mounted on a horizontal surface. The anchor bar 14 is preferably located below the heel of the foot support 154.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the anchor bar 14 in this embodiment is fixed to the frame 11 via a bracket 14b. For ease of explanation, the bracket 14b is not shown in FIG. 1. The bracket 14b extends downward from the connection point between the rear piece 11r and the lower piece 11d. The anchor bar 14 is fixed so as to connect the lower ends of the brackets 14b. The method of fixing the frame 11 to the bracket 14b and the method of fixing the bracket 14b to the anchor bar 14 can be selected appropriately, such as welding. Unlike this embodiment, the anchor bar 14 may be fixed directly to the frame 11. For example, the rear piece 11r may extend downward beyond the lower piece 11d, and the anchor bar 14 may be fixed so as to connect the ends of the brackets 14b.

[0018] [Electric winch] As shown in FIG. 1, the electric winch 2 pulls the wheelchair 10 towards the front of the vehicle 100. Therefore, the electric winch 2 can prevent the wheelchair 10 from moving backward. There are two electric winches 2. The two electric winches 2 are provided on the left and right sides of the front side of the rear floor 110. Each electric winch 2 can have a known configuration. Each electric winch 2 includes, for example, a winding device 21, a locking mechanism, a belt 22, and a hook 23. The locking mechanism is not shown in the figure.

[0019] The retracting device 21 retracts the belt 22. The retraction of the belt 22 by the retracting device 21 can be operated by a remote controller (not shown). The locking mechanism prevents the belt 22 from being unwound. For example, a ratchet mechanism can be used as the locking mechanism. This locking mechanism can be released by the remote controller. Specifically, when the retracting operation is performed by the remote controller, the retracting device 21 rotates once in the direction in which the belt 22 is retracted, thereby releasing the engagement between the pawl of the ratchet mechanism and the gear, and the pawl moves away from the gear. This allows the belt 22 to be unwound. The belt 22 is connected to the retracting device 21. A hook 23 is provided at the tip of the belt 22. The hook 23 is hooked onto the frame 11.

[0020] [Stopper part] The stopper portion 3 prevents the anchor bar 14 from moving forward. Preventing the anchor bar 14 from moving forward prevents the wheelchair 10 from moving forward. The stopper portion 3 is provided on the rear floor 110 so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100. The stopper portion 3 is provided on a slide mechanism 4.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3(d), the stopper portion 3 has an abutment portion 30. The abutment portion 30 abuts against the advancing anchor bar 14, as shown in FIG. 3(d). This abutment restricts the forward movement of the wheelchair 10. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the stopper portion 3 in this embodiment includes, in order from the front to the rear, a base portion 31, a first pivoting portion 32, a first main body portion 33, a second pivoting portion 34, and a second main body portion 35. In this embodiment, the first main body portion 33 has the abutment portion 30.

[0022] The base 31 is connected to a slider 41, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. The first pivoting portion 32 connects the first main body portion 33 to the base 31 so that the first main body portion 33 can pivot up and down. The first main body portion 33 is configured in a flat plate shape. An abutment portion 30 is provided on the underside of the first main body portion 33. The pivoting range of the first main body portion 33 by the first pivoting portion 32 is, for example, between a first position shown in FIG. 3(a) and a second position shown in FIG. 3(d). The first position is a position parallel to the upper surface of the base 31. The second position is a position where the angle formed between the first main body portion 33 and the upper surface of the base 31 is less than 90°. The second position is preferably a position where the angle formed is 60° or less, more preferably 45° or less, and particularly preferably 30° or less.

[0023] The second pivoting portion 34 connects the second body portion 35 to the first body portion 33 so that the second body portion 35 can pivot up and down. The second body portion 35 is configured as a curved plate. The lower surface of the second body portion 35 has an inclined surface 351 that slopes upward from midway in the front-to-rear direction toward the rear end. This inclined surface 351 guides the anchor bar 14 to the abutment portion 30 of the first body portion 33. The range of rotation of the second body portion 35 by the second pivoting portion 34 is between a first position shown in FIG. 3( a) and a second position shown in FIG. 3( d). The first position is a position where the upper surface of the first body portion 33 and the upper surface of the second body portion 35 are flush with each other. The second position is a position where the rear end of the second body portion 35 is lower than the front end when the anchor bar 14 abuts against the abutment portion 30 of the first body portion 33.

[0024] Before the anchor bar 14 contacts the rear end, the height of the rear end of the inclined surface 351 is higher than the height of the anchor bar 14. The height of the rear end of the inclined surface 351, i.e., the height of the rear end of the second main body portion 35, is preferably lower than the height of the heel of the foot support 154. The foot support 154 is positioned forward of the anchor bar 14. Therefore, the foot support 154 must pass above the stopper portion 3 before the anchor bar 14 contacts the contact portion 30. If the height of the rear end of the second main body portion 35 is lower than the height of the heel of the foot support 154, it is not necessary to lift the front side of the wheelchair 10 upward to prevent the foot support 154 from getting caught on the stopper portion 3. This makes it easier to contact the anchor bar 14 with the contact portion 30.

[0025] [Slide mechanism] The slide mechanism 4 supports the stopper portion 3 so that it can slide freely in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. The slide mechanism 4 is provided on the rear floor 110. The slide mechanism 4 in this embodiment includes a slider 41, a rail 42, a wire 43, a winding mechanism 44, a locking mechanism 45, and an unlocking mechanism 46. For ease of explanation, the winding mechanism 44 and the locking mechanism 45 are simply shown in FIG. 4. The slide mechanism 4 may include a belt instead of the wire 43.

[0026] The slider 41 slides relative to the rail 42. The base 31 of the stopper portion 3 is connected to the slider 41. The rail 42 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100. The wire 43 connects the slider 41 to the winding mechanism 44. The winding mechanism 44 winds up the wire 43. A known configuration can be used for the winding mechanism 44. Although not shown, the internal structure of the winding mechanism 44 may be configured, for example, to include a pulley and a winding spring. The locking mechanism 45 prevents the wire 43 from being unwound. Therefore, the locking mechanism 45 can prevent the slider 41 from moving forward. Although not shown, the locking mechanism 45 may be configured, for example, as a ratchet mechanism. The locking mechanism 46 unlocks the locking mechanism 45. This release allows the wire 43 to be unwound. The locking mechanism 46 releases the engagement between the ratchet mechanism's pawl and the gear, thereby separating the pawl from the gear. The slider 41 can be advanced by this lock release mechanism 46. Instead of the winding mechanism 44, a drawer structure utilizing spring tension or the like can also be employed.

[0027] [Procedure for securing a wheelchair] When the wheelchair 10 enters the luggage compartment by being pulled forward by the electric winch 2 and moves forward, the anchor bar 14 comes into contact with the inclined surface 351 of the stopper portion 3, as shown in FIG. 3(a). As the anchor bar 14 moves further forward, the first main body portion 33 and the second main body portion 35 rotate upward around the first rotating portion 32 as a rotation axis, as shown in FIG. 3(b). As the anchor bar 14 moves further forward and advances further than the second rotating portion 34 as shown in FIG. 3(c), the second main body portion 35 rotates downward around the second rotating portion 34 as a rotation axis. As the anchor bar 14 moves further forward, the anchor bar 14 abuts against the abutment portion 30, as shown in FIG. 3(d). The second main body portion 35 rotates further downward. By rotating the second main body portion 35 downward, it is easier to lower the height of the stopper portion 3 when the anchor bar 14 is in contact with the abutment portion 30, compared to when the stopper portion 3 does not have the second rotating portion 34.

[0028] When it is desired to adjust the fixed position of the wheelchair 10, the following procedure is followed. The lock mechanism 45 is unlocked by operating the lock release mechanism 46 shown in Figure 4. The wheelchair 10 is moved forward, causing the anchor bar 14 to push the abutment portion 30 forward. The slider 41 is moved forward until the fixed position of the wheelchair 10 is at the desired position. Once the fixed position of the wheelchair 10 is at the desired position, the operation of the lock release mechanism 46 is released, which locks the lock mechanism 45 and stops the forward movement of the slider 41.

[0029] [Procedure for unlocking a wheelchair] The locking mechanism of the electric winch 2 is unlocked by operating the remote controller. Since the anchor bar 14 is only in contact with the contact portion 30, it is sufficient to simply move the wheelchair 10 backward.

[0030] If the lock cannot be released by the release operation due to reasons such as the remote controller not working, the following procedure is followed: The lock release mechanism 46 of the slide mechanism 4 is operated, and the wheelchair 10 is moved forward. As the wheelchair 10 moves forward, the belt 22 can be loosened, allowing the hook 23 to be removed from the frame 11 of the wheelchair 10. The wheelchair 10 is then moved backward.

[0031] [Action and effect] The wheelchair fixing structure 1 is equipped with the electric winch 2, thereby preventing the wheelchair 10 from moving backward. The wheelchair fixing structure 1 is equipped with the stopper portion 3 having the abutment portion 30, thereby preventing the wheelchair 10 from moving forward. Therefore, the wheelchair fixing structure 1 can fix the wheelchair 10 to the rear floor 110. The wheelchair fixing structure 1 can prevent the wheelchair 10 from moving forward simply by the anchor bar 14 abutting against the abutment portion 30 of the stopper portion 3. Therefore, the wheelchair fixing structure 1 can easily and reliably fix the wheelchair 10 to the rear floor 110. Furthermore, because the wheelchair fixing structure 1 only has the anchor bar 14 abutting against the abutment portion 30 of the stopper portion 3, the fixing of the wheelchair 10 can be released simply by unlocking the locking mechanism of the electric winch 2 and moving the wheelchair 10 backward.

[0032] The wheelchair fixing structure 1 allows the position of the stopper portion 3 to be changed by the slide mechanism 4. That is, the wheelchair fixing structure 1 allows fine adjustment of the fixing point of the wheelchair 10. Therefore, the wheelchair fixing structure 1 is easy to use. In particular, even if the locking mechanism of the electric winch 2 is not released by the release operation of the remote controller, the wheelchair fixing structure 1 allows the hook 23 to be detached from the frame 11 of the wheelchair 10 by the slide mechanism 4, so that the wheelchair 10 can be released from its fixed position.

[0033] In the wheelchair fixing structure 1, the anchor bar 14 is provided inside the outer periphery of the rear wheel 13 of the wheelchair 10 and near a position vertically below the axle 131 of the rear wheel 13. This makes it easier for the load of the vehicle 100 to be applied to the rear wheel 13 of the wheelchair 10 compared to when the anchor bar 14 is provided between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 13 of the wheelchair 10. In other words, the wheelchair fixing structure 1 makes it easier to prevent a large load from being applied to the front wheel 12 of the wheelchair 10 during a frontal collision. Therefore, the wheelchair fixing structure 1 makes it easier to prevent damage to the front wheel 12 during a frontal collision. Therefore, the wheelchair fixing structure 1 does not require a separate member to reinforce the front wheel 12. Furthermore, in the wheelchair fixing structure 1, the anchor bar 14 is provided inside the outer periphery of the rear wheel 13, so that the rear wheel 13 can come into contact with a step before the anchor bar 14. When the rear wheel 13 goes over a step, the anchor bar 14 does not come into contact with the step because it is located inside the outer periphery of the rear wheel 13. Therefore, in the wheelchair fixing structure 1, the anchor bar 14 is less likely to get caught on the step when the wheelchair 10 goes over the step.

[0034] <<Notes>> In relation to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the following supplementary notes are further disclosed.

[0035] [Appendix 1] a stopper portion that abuts or engages with an anchor bar set on a wheelchair mounted on the rear floor of a vehicle and restricts the wheelchair from moving forward of the vehicle; the stopper portion is set on the rear floor so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Vehicle structure.

[0036] The vehicle structure of Supplementary Note 1 above can achieve the same effects as the wheelchair fixing structure according to one aspect of the present invention described above.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0038] For example, the stopper portion may have an engaging portion. The engaging portion hooks onto the outer peripheral surface of the anchor bar from the upper side through the rear side to the lower side. The engaging portion may be configured to be curved. The curved engaging portion may be arranged to connect to the rear of the abutment portion. When the engaging portion is included, when releasing the wheelchair, the engagement between the anchor bar and the engaging portion is released by pulling the stopper portion upward. When the stopper portion has an engaging portion, the wheelchair fixing structure does not need to be equipped with an electric winch.

[0039] The stopper portion may be, for example, an L-shaped member. The L-shaped stopper portion may be composed of a vertical piece extending in the up-down direction and a horizontal piece extending from the upper end of the vertical piece toward the rear of the vehicle. The L-shaped stopper portion may be provided in a state where it always protrudes from the rear floor, or may be provided so as to be freely retractable from the rear floor.

[0040] The anchor bar may be detachable from the wheelchair frame, for example, by using a bracket with a screw-type or quick-release clamp attached. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Wheelchair fixing structure 10. Wheelchair 11 frames 11f front piece, 11r rear piece, 11u upper piece, 11d lower piece 12 front wheels, 13 rear wheels, 131 axles 14 anchor bar, 14b bracket 151 Seat, 152 Back support, 153 Leg support 154 Foot Support, 155 Handle 2 electric winches 21 winding device, 22 belt, 23 hook 3 Stopper part 30 Contact part, 31 Base 32 first rotating portion, 33 first main body portion, 34 second rotating portion 35 Second main body, 351 Inclined surface 4 Slide mechanism 41 slider, 42 rail, 43 wire 44 winding mechanism, 45 locking mechanism, 46 unlocking mechanism 100 vehicle, 110 rear floor G center of gravity V0 reference virtual line, V1 first virtual line, V2 second virtual line α angle

Claims

[Claim 1] A wheelchair mounted on the rear floor of the vehicle; a stopper portion that abuts or engages with an anchor bar set on the wheelchair and restricts the wheelchair from moving forward on the vehicle; a slide mechanism that slides the stopper portion in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on the rear floor, The stopper portion has a structure in which the anchor bar, which moves forward as the wheelchair moves forward, automatically abuts or engages with the stopper portion, The slide mechanism is a slider to which the stopper portion is connected; a locking mechanism that prevents the slider from moving forward at any position within the sliding range of the slider; a lock release mechanism that releases the lock mechanism to allow the slider to move forward, the lock release mechanism releases the lock mechanism, causing the advanced anchor bar to press the stopper portion forward, thereby allowing the slider and the stopper portion to advance. Wheelchair fixing structure.

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