Automotive wheelchair storage

Abstract

To provide a wheelchair housing tool for an automobile which allows a folded wheelchair to be housed stably in a cabin with a simple constitution and suppresses contamination of a seat and a breakage of a vehicle body when carrying the wheelchair into or out of the cabin.SOLUTION: A wheelchair housing tool 20 for an automobile comprises: a bottom wall part which is placed on a seat cushion 14 of a seat 12 of an automobile 10 to place a folded wheelchair 70 thereon; a rear wall part 24 which is combined with the bottom wall part via a folding line and is in contact with a seat back 16 of the seat 12; a left wall part 26 and a right wall part 28 which are combined with the bottom wall part via the folding line, and is combined with the rear wall part 24 detachably; and a front wall part 30 which is combined with the bottom wall part detachably, and is combined with the left wall part 26 and the right wall part 28 detachably.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheelchair storage device for a motor vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A wheelchair storage and fixing device that stores and fixes a folded wheelchair by inserting the drive wheels of the wheelchair from above into a rectangular frame-shaped wheelchair rollover prevention part that has a fixing part that is fixed to a seat in the vehicle compartment has been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is a wheelchair storage device that has rails installed above the vehicle compartment and a lift device that moves the wheelchair along the rails, and that supports the wheelchair on the lift device, allowing it to be raised and lowered between the outside of the vehicle and the driver's seat, and between the driver's seat and the rear left seat (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-198236 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-129335 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the driver is a wheelchair user, it is difficult for the driver to attach and detach the wheelchair to and from the wheelchair storage and fixing device. Furthermore, when the wheelchair is being carried in and out of the vehicle compartment, the seat may be soiled or the vehicle body may be damaged by the wheelchair. Furthermore, when rails and a lift device are installed in the vehicle compartment, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the parts where the rails are attached, which raises concerns about an increase in the weight of the vehicle and manufacturing costs.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair storage device for an automobile that has a simple structure yet can stably store a folded wheelchair in the vehicle compartment, and can prevent contamination of the seat and damage to the vehicle body when the wheelchair is carried in and out of the vehicle compartment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the wheelchair storage device for automobiles according to the present invention comprises a bottom wall portion that is placed on the seat cushion of an automobile seat and on which a folded wheelchair is placed, a rear wall portion that is connected to the bottom wall portion via a fold line and that contacts the seat back of the seat, left and right wall portions that are connected to the bottom wall portion via a fold line and are detachably connected to the rear wall portion, and a front wall portion that is detachably connected to the bottom wall portion or via a fold line and is detachably connected to the left and right wall portions.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the invention, a folded wheelchair is placed on the bottom wall portion placed on the seat cushion of a vehicle seat, and the wheelchair is surrounded by the rear wall portion, left wall portion, right wall portion, and front wall portion. Therefore, despite the simple configuration, the wheelchair can be stably accommodated in the vehicle cabin. Furthermore, the left wall portion and the right wall portion are detachable from the rear wall portion and the front wall portion. Therefore, by removing the left wall portion or the right wall portion from the rear wall portion and the front wall portion, the left wall portion or the right wall portion is opened, allowing the wheelchair to be easily carried in and out through the vehicle's entrance / exit door. Furthermore, since the left wall portion or the right wall portion is arranged contiguous with the bottom wall portion on the outer side of the seat cushion in the seat width direction, the bottom wall portion and the left wall portion or the right wall portion prevent the wheelchair from contaminating the seat cushion or damaging the rocker (vehicle body) on the outer side of the seat cushion in the vehicle width direction when the wheelchair is carried in and out.

[0008] Furthermore, a second aspect of the present invention is a wheelchair storage device for automobiles of the first aspect, wherein the bottom wall portion is placed on the seat cushion of either the left or right seat at the rear side of the automobile, and the front wall portion is configured to be able to extend to at least the outer end of the seat cushion of the other of the left or right seats at the front side of the automobile in the vehicle width direction.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the invention, when the bottom wall portion is placed on the seat cushion of either the left or right seat at the rear of the vehicle, the front wall portion can extend to at least the outer end of the seat cushion in the vehicle width direction of the other seat. Therefore, if the driver is a wheelchair user, the driver can carry the folded wheelchair from the driver's seat to the rear seat and vice versa by passing (sliding) the wheelchair over the front wall portion. Therefore, when the folded wheelchair is carried in and out of the vehicle compartment, the front wall portion prevents the driver's clothes, console box, seat cushion, etc. from being contaminated by the wheelchair.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is a wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to the second aspect, wherein the front wall portion has a plurality of fold lines midway along the extension direction.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the invention, the front wall has a plurality of fold lines formed midway along its length. Therefore, even if the front wall extends to at least the outer edge of the seat cushion of either the left or right seat at the front of the vehicle when the bottom wall is placed on the seat cushion, the front wall can be folded compactly, making it easy to store.

[0012] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the present invention is a wheelchair storage device for an automobile of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the rear wall portion has a lower support member that is inserted into the gap between the seat back of a seat having a seat cushion on which the bottom wall portion is placed and the seat cushion, and an upper support member that is attached to a headrest stay of a headrest provided on the seat back.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the rear wall includes a seat back of a seat having a seat cushion on which the bottom wall is placed, a lower support member inserted into the gap between the seat back and the seat cushion, and an upper support member attached to a headrest stay of a headrest provided on the seat back, thereby preventing the wheelchair storage device from shifting in position relative to the seat having a seat cushion on which the bottom wall is placed.

[0014] In addition, a fifth aspect of the present invention is a wheelchair storage device for an automobile of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the rear wall portion is configured to make frictional contact with the seat back.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the rear wall is configured to make frictional contact with the seat back, which prevents the wheelchair storage device from shifting position relative to the seat having the seat cushion on which the bottom wall is placed, compared to when the rear wall is not configured to make frictional contact with the seat back. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, a folded wheelchair can be stably stored in the vehicle compartment despite its simple configuration, and contamination of the seat and damage to the vehicle body can be reduced when the wheelchair is carried in and out of the vehicle compartment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a folded wheelchair is stored in a wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic development view showing a wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view showing a wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic rear view showing a wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to the present embodiment is attached to a seat. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to the present embodiment is in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP shown in FIG. 1 indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle. Therefore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the directions of up / down, front / rear, and left / right are mentioned, they refer to the up / down, front / rear, left / right of the vehicle. Furthermore, the left / right direction is synonymous with the vehicle width direction.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the wheelchair accommodation device for an automobile (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "wheelchair accommodation device") 20 according to this embodiment is formed in the shape of a housing (box) with an open upper side, and is placed in the passenger compartment of an automobile 10, for example, in the rear seat. Specifically, in the case of an automobile 10 with a right-hand drive, it is placed on the upper surface (surface) of the seat cushion 14 of the left seat 12 that constitutes the rear seat.

[0020] In the following, the seat 12 on the left side of the rear seat (including the seat cushion 14, seat back 16, headrest 18, etc.: the same applies below) will be given the letter "Lb" after the reference number 12, the seat 12 in the center of the rear seat will be given the letter "Cb" after the reference number 12, the seat 12 on the right side of the rear seat will be given the letter "Rb" after the reference number 12, the seat 12 on the right side of the front seat (driver's seat) will be given the letter "Rf" after the reference number 12, and the seat 12 on the left side of the front seat (passenger seat) will be given the letter "Lf" after the reference number 12, and they may be described separately.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, this wheelchair storage device 20 is placed on the top surface of the seat cushion 14Lb of the seat 12Lb of the automobile 10 and comprises a bottom wall portion 22 on which a folded wheelchair 70 is placed, a rear wall portion 24 connected to the bottom wall portion 22 via a fold line 23 and in contact with (opposing) the seat back 16Lb of the seat 12Lb, a left side wall portion 26 and a right side wall portion 28 connected to the bottom wall portion 22 via fold lines 25 and 27, respectively, and detachably connected to the rear wall portion 24, and a front wall portion 30 detachably connected to the bottom wall portion 22 and detachably connected to the left side wall portion 26 and the right side wall portion 28.

[0022] The bottom wall 22 and the rear wall 24 are formed as rectangular flat plates with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction, while the left wall 26 and the right wall 28 are formed as rectangular flat plates with the up-down direction as the longitudinal direction. Note that an extension 26A is connected to the illustrated left wall 26 via a fold line 29, and this extension 26A, together with the front wall 30, surrounds the front side of the wheelchair 70 accommodated in the wheelchair accommodation device 20, but the configuration may be such that the extension 26A is not formed.

[0023] The front wall 30 is configured by a front wall main body 32 in the form of a rectangular flat plate with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction, a plurality (four) of first to fourth extending portions 34 to 40 formed in the form of rectangular flat plates of the same size as the front wall main body 32, and a plurality (two) of triangular flat connecting portions 42, 44, which are connected together via fold lines. The specific configuration of the front wall 30 will be described in detail later.

[0024] The bottom wall 22, rear wall 24, left side wall 26, right side wall 28, and front wall 30 each have a four-layer structure made of resin material, thereby reducing weight. That is, from the front to the back, the bottom wall 22, rear wall 24, left side wall 26, right side wall 28, and front wall 30 are composed of, in order, a polyester layer as a surface material, a polyurethane layer as a cushioning material, a polyurethane layer as a waterproof film material, and a polyester layer as a back material.

[0025] In particular, the back surface (not shown) of the bottom wall 22 is a polyester layer configured to come into contact with the upper surface (surface) of the seat cushion 14Lb of the seat 12Lb with friction (sliding resistance). Similarly, the back surface 24S (see FIG. 4) of the rear wall 24 is also a polyester layer configured to come into contact with the surface of the seat back 16Lb of the seat 12Lb with friction (sliding resistance).

[0026] Furthermore, the left end 24L of the rear wall 24 and the rear end 26B of the left side wall 26 are detachably connected by a line fastener 62, and the right end 24R of the rear wall 24 and the rear end 28B of the right side wall 28 are detachably connected by a line fastener 64 (see FIG. 4). The left end 32L of the front wall main body 32 and the front end 26F of the left side wall 26 (more specifically, the extension 26A) are detachably connected by a line fastener 66, and the right end 32R of the front wall main body 32 and the front end 28F of the right side wall 28 are detachably connected by a line fastener 68 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

[0027] In other words, when the gripping portions (not shown) of each of the linear fasteners 62, 64, 66, 68 move upward, the rear wall portion 24 and the left side wall portion 26, and the right side wall portion 28 and the front wall portion 30 are connected, and when the gripping portions (not shown) of each of the linear fasteners 62, 64, 66, 68 move downward, the connection between the rear wall portion 24 and the left side wall portion 26, and the right side wall portion 28 and the front wall portion 30 is released (the left side wall portion 26 is deployed to the left, the right side wall portion 28 is deployed to the right, and the front wall portion 30 is deployed forward).

[0028] 3, a gripping portion of a linear fastener 66 that detachably connects the left end 32L of the front wall main body 32 and the front end 26F of the left side wall 26 (specifically, the extension 26A) and a gripping portion of a linear fastener 68 that detachably connects the right end 32R of the front wall main body 32 and the front end 28F of the right side wall 28 may be connected by a cylindrical shaft 60. In this way, an occupant P (described later) can simultaneously open and close the linear fasteners 66, 68 on both the left and right sides of the front wall 30 by gripping the shaft 60 and moving it downward and upward.

[0029] Next, a specific configuration of the front wall 30 will be described. After the folded wheelchair 70 is placed on the bottom wall 22, the front wall 30 has a front wall main body 32 that, together with the extension 26A, surrounds the front side of the wheelchair 70 by moving the gripping portions of the line fasteners 66, 68 on both the left and right sides upward. As shown in Figure 2, a lower end 32D of the front wall main body 32 that constitutes the front wall 30 is detachably connected to a front end 22F of the bottom wall 22 by a hook-and-loop fastener 58.

[0030] The front wall portion 30 has an isosceles triangular first connecting portion 42 connected to the front wall portion main body 32 via a fold line 41, a rectangular first extending portion 34 connected to the first connecting portion 42 via a fold line 33, a rectangular second extending portion 36 connected to the first extending portion 34 via a fold line 35, an isosceles triangular second connecting portion 44 connected to the second extending portion 36 via a fold line 43, a rectangular third extending portion 38 connected to the second connecting portion 44 via a fold line 37, and a rectangular fourth extending portion 40 connected to the third extending portion 38 via a fold line 39.

[0031] The apex angle θ of the first connecting portion 42 and the second connecting portion 44 is 45 degrees. Therefore, the front wall portion 30 is configured to be extendable in a generally curved shape (a generally inverted "C" shape in plan view) from the front end of the seat cushion 14Lb of the left rear seat 12Lb to at least the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the seat cushion 14Rf of the right front seat 12Rf (driver's seat) (preferably beyond the outer end in the vehicle width direction to a position reaching the lower end of a rocker (not shown)) by the first connecting portion 42 provided between the front wall portion main body 32 and the first extending portion 34 and the second connecting portion 44 provided between the second extending portion 36 and the third extending portion 38 (see also FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0032] The first extending portion 34 to the fourth extending portion 40 are foldable by the above-mentioned fold lines 41, 33, 35, 43, 37, and 39 provided midway along the extension direction of the front wall portion 30. Furthermore, the first connecting portion 42 and the second connecting portion 44 are formed with fold lines 42A and 44A extending downward from their vertices, allowing the front wall portion 30 to be further folded in half. This allows the front wall portion 30 to be compactly foldable (storable) when not in use, as described below.

[0033] A substantially oval through-hole 34A is formed in the right portion of the first extension 34, allowing an occupant P (described later) to insert his / her left hand from below. A strap 46 is installed between the left end 34L of the first extension 34 and the left end 36L of the second extension 36, so as to be hooked onto a headrest 18Lf (headrest stay 17Lf) provided on the seat back 16Lf of the left front seat 12Lf (passenger seat). The strap 46 may be configured so that one strap and the other strap are detachable from each other using a hook-and-loop fastener, for example, or may be made of stretchable rubber.

[0034] The fourth extension portion 40 has a plurality of fold lines 47 (three in the figure) formed thereon, and is configured to be able to maintain a folded state along the fold lines 47 by means of, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener (not shown) attached to the left end portion 40L. This makes it possible to adjust the length from the third extension portion 38 to the fourth extension portion 40.

[0035] In addition, a rod-shaped magnet (not shown) may be embedded in the part of the fourth extension portion 40 excluding the fold line 47, thereby making the length from the third extension portion 38 to the fourth extension portion 40 adjustable, and also making it possible to adsorb and hold the tip of the fourth extension portion 40 in the extension direction to a rocker that is part of the body of the automobile 10.

[0036] 4, a plurality of (for example, two) belt-shaped lower support members 48 are provided on the lower end portion of the rear surface 24S side of the rear wall portion 24. A rod-shaped member (not shown) made of, for example, urethane foam is embedded in each lower support member 48, and each lower support member 48 is adapted to be inserted into the gap between the seat cushion 14Lb and the seat back 16Lb of the seat 12Lb.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the upper end of the rear wall portion 24 on the back surface 24S side is provided with a pair of straps 52 as an upper support member 50 to be attached to the headrest stay 17Lb of the headrest 18Lb in the seat 12Lb, and a hook member 54 as an upper support member 50 to be attached to the headrest stay 17Cb of the headrest 18Cb in the central seat 12Cb adjacent to the right side of the seat 12Lb.

[0038] The pair of straps 52 are configured so that one strap 52L and the other strap 52R can be attached and detached to each other using a hook-and-loop fastener, and are adapted to be wrapped around the pair of headrest stays 17Lb. The hook member 54 has a hook-shaped hook body 54A and a strap 56 with the hook body 54A attached to its tip, and the hook body 54A is adapted to be hooked onto one of the pair of headrest stays 17Cb. The length of the strap 56 is adjustable.

[0039] Next, the operation of the wheelchair storage device 20 for an automobile according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0040] First, the wheelchair accommodation device 20 is installed in the rear seat of the right-hand drive automobile 10. That is, the wheelchair accommodation device 20 is placed so that the underside of the bottom wall 22 contacts the upper surface (front surface) of the seat cushion 14Lb of the left seat 12Lb. At this time, the lower support member 48 is inserted into the gap between the seat cushion 14Lb and the seat back 16Lb, and the back surface 24S of the rear wall 24 is brought into contact with the front surface of the seat back 16Lb.

[0041] Here, the back surface of the bottom wall 22 comes into frictional contact (sliding resistance) with the upper surface (surface) of the seat cushion 14Lb of the seat 12Lb, and the back surface 24S of the rear wall 24 also comes into frictional contact (sliding resistance) with the surface of the seat back 16Lb of the seat 12Lb. Therefore, compared to a case where the back surface of the bottom wall 22 is not configured to come into frictional contact with the upper surface (surface) of the seat cushion 14Lb and the rear wall 24 is not configured to come into frictional contact with the surface of the seat back 16Lb, it is possible to suppress or prevent the position of the wheelchair accommodation device 20 from shifting relative to the seat 12Lb.

[0042] Furthermore, the strap 52, which is the upper support member 50, is wound around and attached to the pair of headrest stays 17Lb of the headrest 18Lb on the left seat 12Lb, and the hook body 54A of the hook member 54, which is the upper support member 50, is hooked onto one of the pair of headrest stays 17Cb of the headrest 18Cb on the center seat 12Cb. This further reduces or prevents the wheelchair accommodation device 20 from shifting position relative to the seat 12Lb. Note that the steps up to this point are performed by a caregiver or the like, not the user of the wheelchair 70.

[0043] Incidentally, if there is an attendant, the attendant can store the folded wheelchair 70 in the wheelchair accommodation device 20. That is, the left side wall 26 is detachable from the rear wall 24 by a line fastener 62, and is detachable from the front wall 30 (front wall main body 32) by a line fastener 66. Therefore, by moving the gripping portions of the line fasteners 62, 66 downward to remove the left side wall 26 from the rear wall 24 and the front wall 30 (front wall main body 32), the left side wall 26 side of the wheelchair accommodation device 20 is opened, and the folded wheelchair 70 can be easily carried in and out through the entrance / exit on the left side of the rear seat.

[0044] At this time, the left end of the shaft 60 may be removed from the grip of the line fastener 66. Also, at this time, the left side wall 26 is disposed contiguous with the bottom wall 22 on the outer side of the seat cushion 14Lb in the seat width direction. Therefore, when the folded wheelchair 70 is carried in and out, the bottom wall 22 and the left side wall 26 can suppress or prevent the seat cushion 14Lb from being contaminated or the rocker located on the outer side of the seat cushion 14Lb in the seat width direction from being damaged by the wheelchair 70.

[0045] Once the folded wheelchair 70 is placed on the bottom wall 22 of the wheelchair accommodation device 20, the gripping portions of the line fasteners 62, 66 are moved upward to connect the left side wall 26 to the rear wall 24 and front wall 30 (front wall main body 32). This allows the folded wheelchair 70 to be stored inside the wheelchair accommodation device 20. In other words, the wheelchair 70 is surrounded by the rear wall 24, left side wall 26, right side wall 28, and front wall 30 (front wall main body 32). Therefore, the wheelchair 70 can be stably stored in the passenger compartment of the automobile 10, despite the wheelchair accommodation device 20 having a simple box-shaped structure.

[0046] In other words, even if the automobile 10 sways while traveling, the folded wheelchair 70 can be prevented from swaying, thereby suppressing or preventing damage to the seat 12Lb or the door trim (not shown) of the side door caused by the wheelchair 70. It can also prevent the wheelchair 70 from falling forward from the seat cushion 14Lb due to the automobile 10 swaying while traveling, making it impossible to carry it out through the gap between the wheelchair 70 and the seat back 16Lf of the left front seat 12Lf.

[0047] When an attendant stores a folded wheelchair 70 in the wheelchair accommodation device 20, the wheelchair accommodation device 20 is not limited to being installed on the seat cushion 14Lb of the left rear seat 12Lb. The wheelchair accommodation device 20 may be installed, for example, on the upper surface of the seat cushion 14Rb of the right rear seat 12Rb. In this case, if the right side wall 28 is removed from the rear wall 24 and the front wall 30 (front wall main body 32) in the same manner as above, the folded wheelchair 70 can be easily carried in and out through the entrance / exit on the right side of the rear seat.

[0048] On the other hand, when the user of the wheelchair 70 is the driver of the automobile 10 (hereinafter referred to as "occupant P"), the wheelchair accommodation device 20 is used as follows: First, the occupant P moves by himself from the wheelchair 70 to the seat cushion 14Rf of the front right seat 12Rf, which is the driver's seat. After moving to the seat cushion 14Rf, the occupant P folds the wheelchair 70.

[0049] Then, the occupant P tilts the seat back 16Rf backward to an appropriate position, and grasps the shaft 60 of the wheelchair accommodation device 20 with his or her fingers and moves it downward, thereby opening the line fasteners 66, 68. After that, the occupant P grasps and pulls out the front wall portion 30, placing it over the console box and his or her upper body, and positions the leading end of the fourth extension portion 40 so that it extends at least to the outer end of the seat cushion 14Rf in the vehicle width direction (preferably beyond the outer end of the vehicle width direction to a position reaching the lower end of the rocker) (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0050] In this way, the occupant P can easily pull out the front wall 30 of the wheelchair accommodation device 20. Furthermore, because the apex angle of the first connecting portion 42 and the second connecting portion 44 of the front wall 30 is 45 degrees, the front wall 30 can be properly laid from the front end of the seat cushion 14Lb of the seat 12Lb to at least the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the seat cushion 14Rf of the seat 12Rf (preferably beyond the outer end in the vehicle width direction to a position reaching the lower end of the rocker).

[0051] At this time, the strap 46 stretched between the left end 34L of the first extending portion 34 and the left end 36L of the second extending portion 36 may be hooked onto the headrest 18Lf (headrest stay 17Lf) of the left front seat 12Lf (passenger seat). This makes it possible to suppress or prevent twisting of the front wall 30 when the wheelchair 70, which will be described later, moves along the front wall 30.

[0052] Furthermore, since a plurality of fold lines 47 are formed at the leading end of the fourth extension portion 40 in the extension direction, the length from the third extension portion 38 to the fourth extension portion 40 can be adjusted by folding along the fold lines 47. Furthermore, if a magnet is embedded in the leading end of the fourth extension portion 40 in the extension direction, the leading end of the fourth extension portion 40 in the extension direction can be attracted to the rocker so that the leading end does not touch the ground.

[0053] Thus, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, once the front wall 30 of the wheelchair storage device 20 is installed (the front wall 30 covers the entire path of the wheelchair 70, including above the console box and above the occupant P's upper body), the occupant P grasps the folded wheelchair 70 and lifts it up by himself, passing (sliding) it over the front wall 30 (above the occupant P's upper body and above the console box) and placing it on the top surface of the bottom wall 22.

[0054] At this time, since a through-hole 34A is formed in the first extension portion 34, the occupant P can insert his / her left hand into the through-hole 34A from below to support the wheelchair 70. This allows the wheelchair 70 to be smoothly moved up to the bottom wall portion 22. Once the wheelchair 70 is placed on the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 22, the front wall portion 30 is folded along the fold lines 41, 33, 35, 43, 37, and 39, so that the front side of the wheelchair 70 is covered with the front wall portion main body 32, and the gripping portions of the line fasteners 66 and 68 are moved upward by gripping the shaft 60.

[0055] As a result, the folded wheelchair 70 is stored inside the wheelchair storage device 20. In other words, the wheelchair 70 is surrounded by the rear wall 24, left side wall 26, right side wall 28, and front wall 30 (front wall main body 32). Therefore, the wheelchair 70 can be stored stably in the passenger compartment of the automobile 10, despite the wheelchair storage device 20 having a simple box-shaped structure.

[0056] As described above, the front wall 30 is configured to be extendable to at least the outer end of the seat cushion 14Rf in the vehicle width direction (preferably beyond the outer end of the vehicle width direction to a position that reaches the lower end of the rocker). Therefore, when the occupant P carries the folded wheelchair 70 from the driver's seat (seat cushion 14Rf) to the rear seat (seat cushion 14Lb), the front wall 30 can suppress or prevent the rocker from being damaged by the wheelchair 70, and the clothes of the occupant P, the console box, the seat cushion 14Rf, etc. from being soiled or damaged.

[0057] The same procedure is followed when carrying the folded wheelchair 70 out of the vehicle compartment. That is, after the front wall 30 of the wheelchair storage device 20 is set up as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the occupant P can grasp the folded wheelchair 70 stored in the wheelchair storage device 20, lift it up by himself, and pass (slide) it over the front wall 30 (above the console box and above the occupant's own body) and place it on the outer side of the seat cushion 14Rf (driver's seat) in the vehicle width direction.

[0058] Therefore, even when the occupant P carries the folded wheelchair 70 from the rear seat (seat cushion 14Lb) to the driver's seat (seat cushion 14Rf), the front wall portion 30 can suppress or prevent the wheelchair 70 from contaminating or damaging the console box, the occupant P's clothes, the seat cushion 14Rf, etc., or damaging the locker.

[0059] Furthermore, the front wall portion 30 has a plurality of fold lines 41, 33, 35, 43, 37, and 39 formed midway along its extension. Therefore, even if the front wall portion 30 has a length that extends to at least the outer end of the seat cushion 14Rf of the seat 12Rf in the vehicle width direction (preferably beyond the outer end of the vehicle width direction to a position that reaches the lower end of the rocker) when the bottom wall portion 22 is placed on the seat cushion 14Lb of the seat 12Lb, the front wall portion 30 can be folded compactly. This allows the front wall portion 30 to be easily stored when not placed on a console box or the like (when the wheelchair 70 is not being carried in or out of the vehicle compartment).

[0060] Furthermore, as described above, the wheelchair accommodation device 20 is lightweight and can be easily attached and detached by a caregiver or the like as needed. In other words, the wheelchair accommodation device 20 can be easily retrofitted to an existing automobile 10 without requiring any interior modifications. Therefore, it is possible to purchase only the wheelchair accommodation device 20. In other words, there is no need to purchase a new automobile 10 in order to be able to store a folded wheelchair 70 in the passenger compartment.

[0061] Although the wheelchair storage device 20 for an automobile according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the wheelchair storage device 20 for an automobile according to this embodiment is not limited to the one shown in the drawings, and the design can be appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the lower support member 48 may have the same structure as an ISOFIX child seat.

[0062] The left side wall 26 and the right side wall 28 may each be formed so that the length (height) on the front side is shorter (lower) than the length (height) on the rear side. That is, the upper ends of the left side wall 26 and the right side wall 28 may be inclined obliquely in a side view. The rear wall 24, the left side wall 26, the right side wall 28, and the front wall 30 (front wall main body 32) may be configured to be detachable using magnets, straps, or the like (not shown) instead of the fasteners 62, 64, 66, and 68.

[0063] Furthermore, the front wall 30 (front wall main body 32) may be configured to be connected to the bottom wall 22 via a fold line. However, if the front wall 30 is configured to be detachable from the bottom wall 22, it becomes possible to remove and clean only the front wall 30, which has the advantage of making it easier to clean the front wall 30, which is most susceptible to getting dirty.

[0064] Also, the first extension 34 through the fourth extension 40 may be made of a soft cloth-like material. In this case, it is preferable to provide a pocket or the like in which the cloth-like material can be stored in the front wall main body 32. Also, instead of forming a through-hole 34A in the first extension 34, a cloth-like ring portion (not shown) may be provided at the right end of the first extension 34, so that the wheelchair 70 can be supported by passing the left hand through the ring portion from below.

[0065] Furthermore, the illustrated vehicle 10 has a right-hand drive, but in the case of a left-hand drive vehicle (not shown), the above-described configuration is reversed. That is, the bottom wall 22 of the wheelchair storage device for automobiles 20 is placed on the seat cushion 14Rb of the rear right seat 12Rb, and the front wall 30 is configured to be extendable at least to the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the seat cushion 14Lf of the front left seat 12Lf (driver's seat) (preferably beyond the outer edge in the vehicle width direction to a position reaching the lower edge of the rocker). [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10. Automobiles 12 sheets 14 seat cushion 16 Seat back 20. Wheelchair storage for automobiles 22 Bottom wall 24 Rear wall 26 Left side wall 28 Right side wall 30 Front wall 48 Lower support member 50 Upper support member 70 Wheelchair

Claims

1. a bottom wall portion that is placed on the seat cushion of the car seat and on which the folded wheelchair is placed; a rear wall portion connected to the bottom wall portion via a fold line and in contact with a seat back of the seat; A left side wall portion and a right side wall portion connected to the bottom wall portion via a fold line and detachably connected to the rear wall portion; A front wall portion that is detachably connected to the bottom wall portion or via a fold line and is detachably connected to the left side wall portion and the right side wall portion; A wheelchair storage device for a vehicle.

2. the bottom wall portion is placed on a seat cushion of one of the left and right seats at the rear side of the automobile, 2. The wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the front wall portion is configured to be extendable to at least the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the seat cushion of the other of the left and right seats at the front side of the automobile.

3. 3. The wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the front wall portion has a plurality of fold lines in a midway portion in the extending direction.

4. The wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rear wall portion has a lower support member that is inserted into the gap between the seat back of a seat having a seat cushion on which the bottom wall portion is placed and the seat cushion, and an upper support member that is attached to a headrest stay of a headrest provided on the seat back.

5. 4. The wheelchair storage device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the rear wall portion is configured to come into frictional contact with the seat back.

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