Rotating coupling structure in assistive devices

Abstract

To prevent slipping of a rotary member while enabling the rotary member constituting a nursing device to be locked at a prescribed rotation position.SOLUTION: For example, a front arm part 30 as a second member can be rotated between the use position and the retreat position with respect to a lateral frame part 20 as a first member arranged in the vicinity of a seating type toilet bowl 1. A connection member 33 of the front arm part 30 is rotatably held with respect to a connection bracket 100 fixed to the lateral frame part 20. The rotation of the front arm part 30 is locked at, for example, the retreat position by a swing lever 110 swingably held by the connection bracket 100. Slipping of the connection member 33 from the connection bracket 100 is prevented by pressing a pressing member 120 against the outer peripheral surface of the connection member 33 by a first screw member 121 screwed to the connection bracket 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotational connection structure for a care assistance device. [Background Art]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a care assistance device for when a care recipient such as a person with a disability or an elderly person sits on a seated toilet (Western-style toilet). In Patent Document 1, a front arm portion 30 serving as a second member is held rotatably in the vertical direction via a connecting bracket 100 with respect to a side frame portion 20 serving as a first member. According to the rotation thereof, the front arm portion 30 can selectively take a use position located in front of a care recipient who is seated on the seated toilet to prevent the care recipient from falling forward, and a retracted position retracted from the front of the care recipient by extending in the vertical direction.

[0003] Patent Document 1 also discloses providing a locking mechanism 90 that locks the rotation of the front arm portion 30 at the retracted position. This locking mechanism includes a locking groove 33a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation portion of the front arm portion 30, and a swing lever 110 swingably held by the connecting bracket 100. In accordance with the swing of the swing lever 110, a locking portion 110a formed at one end of the swing lever is engaged with and disengaged from the locking groove 33a. When the front arm portion 30 is at the retracted position, engagement of the locking portion 110a with the locking groove 33a restricts (locks) rotation of the front arm portion 30 toward the use position. The swing lever 110 is biased by a spring 112 formed of a leaf spring in a direction in which the locking portion 11a engages with the locking groove 33a. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-199141 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] In the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the connecting bracket 100, the front arm portion 30 (the rotating portion), and the swing lever 110 are manufactured, for example, from aluminum profiles to within predetermined dimensional tolerances, and then assembled. However, after assembly, it is unavoidable that a considerable gap will occur between the front arm portion 30 and the connecting bracket, and as a result, even a small external force applied to the front arm portion 30 will cause it to rattle. This rattle occurs even when the front arm portion 30 is locked, which may cause the person being assisted or the caregiver to feel that the lock is not completely secure despite it being locked.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its first objective is to provide a rotating coupling structure in an assistance device that ensures appropriate rotation of the assisting rotating member while preventing rattling. The second objective of the present invention is to provide an assistance device having the above rotating coupling structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the first objective described above, the present invention employs the following solution method. That is, A rotating coupling structure in an assistance device installed near the seat where the person being assisted is seated, A connecting bracket having a fixed part and a rotating holding part, The first member fixed to the fixing portion of the connecting bracket, A second member having an assistance portion and being rotatably held by the rotating holding portion of the connecting bracket, and capable of selectively taking between a use position in which the assistance portion is used to assist a person seated on the seat and a retracted position rotated by a predetermined angle from the use position, A pressing member is held by the connecting bracket and is capable of contacting the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion of the second member that is held by the rotating holding portion, A first threaded member is screwed into a part of the connecting bracket and presses the pressing member toward the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion, It is designed to have that feature.

[0008] According to the above solution, the rattle caused by dimensional tolerances between the rotating holding portion of the connecting bracket and the rotating portion of the second member can be eliminated by utilizing the large force of the screw force applied by the first screw member. This prevents the second member from wobbling unnecessarily. Since the screw force of the first screw member is finely adjustable, it is possible to satisfy both the prevention of rattle and the smooth rotation of the second member at a high level.

[0009] A preferred embodiment based on the above solution method is as follows:

[0010] A reaction force transmission means can be provided between the pressing member and the connecting bracket to transmit the reaction force acting from the rotating portion to the pressing member to the connecting bracket. In this case, the reaction force acting from the rotating portion of the second member to the pressing member is received by the connecting bracket via the reaction force transmission means, preventing the reaction force from concentrating on the first screw member. This makes it possible to maintain a predetermined screw force in the first screw member over a long period of time.

[0011] The pressing member has a connecting portion that is pivotably connected to the connecting bracket, and a first extending portion that extends from the connecting portion and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion. The first screw member is located in the first extension portion. This can be done. In this case, the specific structure of the pressing member and the specific positional relationship between the pressing member and the first screw member are provided.

[0012] The reaction force transmission means may include a second extension formed on the pressing member and extending from the connecting portion so as to be spaced apart from the contact portion, and a support member extending between the second extension and the connecting bracket. In this case, the reaction force can be effectively transmitted from the support member to the connecting bracket via the second extension located spaced apart from the contact portion.

[0013] The reaction force transmission means may have a second extension formed on the pressing member and extending from the connecting portion so as to be spaced apart from the contact portion, and an elastic member interposed between the second extension and the connecting bracket. In this case, it is preferable for constructing the reaction force transmission means simply and inexpensively. Furthermore, it is preferable for ensuring reliable reaction force transmission by absorbing some dimensional errors with the elastic member.

[0014] A second screw member may be provided to apply a force to the pressing member in the opposite direction to the pressing direction applied to the pressing member by the first screw member. In this case, the second screw member firmly prevents the first screw member from loosening (locking), and the predetermined screw force of the first screw member, which was initially set, can be maintained over a long period of time.

[0015] The pressing member is disposed within the rotating holding portion and extends along the rotating portion of the second member. The tip of the first screw member is pressing the pressing member toward the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion. This can be done. In this case, the pressing member can have a simple structure.

[0016] A block member is loosely inserted into a part of the connecting bracket, through which the first screw member is screwed. A third screw member is provided for applying a force to the block member in the opposite direction to the pressing direction applied to the pressing member by the first screw member. This can be achieved. In this case, by firmly fixing the block member with the third screw member, the predetermined pressing force of the initially set first screw member can be maintained over a long period of time.

[0017] It may be configured to include a locking mechanism for locking the rotation of the second member between the use position and the retracted position at at least one of the use position and the retracted position. In this case, locking the second member can prevent the second member from being inadvertently rotated between the use position and the retracted position. In addition, since rattling is prevented by the first screw member, the second member does not rattle when the second member is locked, which is also favorable for preventing a situation where the second member is mistakenly thought to be unlocked despite being locked.

[0018] It may be configured such that the connecting bracket includes the locking mechanism. In this case, the pressing member can be compactly disposed in the immediate vicinity of the locking mechanism.

[0019] The locking mechanism includes: a first locking portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of a portion of the second member held by the rotation holding portion; and an operation member held by the connecting bracket and manually operated, the operation member has a second locking portion that is engaged with and disengaged from the first locking portion at a lock position where rotation of the second member is to be locked, in the lock position, by operating the operation portion to release the engagement of the second locking portion with the first locking portion, the second member becomes rotatable between the use position and the retracted position, a through hole extending in a longitudinal direction of the rotation holding portion is formed at a position where the first locking portion is located in the lock position in a circumferential direction of the rotation holding portion, the operation member and the pressing member are disposed in series in the longitudinal direction of the rotation holding portion, the second locking portion passes through the through hole at the lock position and is locked to the first locking portion, the pressing member is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the rotating portion in a state of passing through the through hole, this arrangement can be achieved.

[0020] To achieve the second object, the care assistance device according to the present invention has the rotary connection structure described above. Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotary connection structure that prevents rattling of the rotating member while ensuring appropriate rotation of the rotating member. Furthermore, a care assistance device having the above rotary connection structure can be provided. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where a pair of left and right front arm portions serving as second members are each in a use position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating a state where the pair of left and right front arm portions are each in a retracted position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the care assistance device shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a state where a care recipient seated on a seated toilet is supported. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion of the connection bracket on the right side, with a part of the cover member covering the pressing member shown in cross-section. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of the connection bracket on the left side, with the cover member covering the pressing member drawn by a two-dot chain line. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing main parts related to the lock mechanism in the front arm portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the front arm portion in the retracted position is locked, the cross-section corresponding to the portion indicated by arrow X7 in FIG. 5 viewed from the front side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7, showing a state where the lock of the front arm portion in the use position is released. [Figure 9]This shows the relationship between the front arm, the pressing member, the support member acting as a reaction force transmission means, and the connecting bracket when the front arm is in the retracted position. It is a cross-sectional view of the area indicated by arrow X9 in Figure 4, viewed from the rear. [Figure 10] This cross-sectional view shows the front arm section in its operational position and corresponds to Figure 9. [Figure 11] This shows the relationship between the front arm, the pressing member, the second screw member, and the connecting bracket when the front arm is in the retracted position. It is a cross-sectional view of the area indicated by arrow X11 in Figure 4, viewed from the rear. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 9. [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 9. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 9. [Figure 15] This shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a perspective view of the connecting bracket portion. [Figure 16] A cross-sectional view of the area indicated by arrow X16 in Figure 15, as seen from the rear. [Figure 17] A cross-sectional view of the area indicated by arrow X17 in Figure 15, as seen from the rear. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Figures 1 to 3 show an example of the assistance device K according to the present invention. Figure 3 shows the assistance device K installed on a seated toilet 1, and the person being assisted who is seated on this seated toilet 1 is indicated by the symbol P.

[0024] The assistance device K is broadly composed of a base member 10, a pair of left and right lateral frame sections 20 as a first member, a pair of left and right front arm sections 30 as a second member, and a rear frame section 40. The assistance device K also has a rotatable connection structure in which the lateral frame sections 20 and the front arm sections 30 are rotatably connected by a connecting bracket 100.

[0025] The base member 10 has a gate-like shape overall, comprising a pair of vertical bar-shaped members 11 extending vertically, a horizontal bar-shaped member 12 extending horizontally and connecting the upper ends of the pair of vertical bar-shaped members 11, and a mounting plate portion 13 connected to the lower ends of the vertical bar-shaped members 11. The rear of the seated toilet 1 is positioned in the space between the pair of vertical bar-shaped members 11 and below the horizontal bar-shaped member 12. The base member 10 is a floor-standing type that is not affected by the structure of the seated toilet 1 (flush valve and low tank). The base member 10 (or its mounting plate portion 13) only needs to be positioned near the seated toilet 1 and can be fixed to the seated toilet 1 or to the floor.

[0026] The lateral frame sections 20 are provided in pairs, one on the left and one on the right, and are formed by bending pipe material. The pipe material described below consists of, for example, a metal core material such as SUS and a synthetic resin coating material, but is not limited to this. Each lateral frame section 20 is broadly divided into an upper frame section 21 that extends in the front-rear direction, and a lower frame section 22 that extends downward from the front end of the upper frame section 21 and then extends rearward. The rear end of the lower frame section 22 is attached to the vertical rod-shaped member 11 via a swinging coupling mechanism 50, as will be described later, so that it can swing in the vertical direction.

[0027] In this embodiment, the rear ends of the upper frame portion 21 of the pair of left and right lateral frame portions 20 are connected by a rear frame portion 40 that extends horizontally in the left-right direction. The left and right lateral frame portions 20 and the rear frame portion 40 are integrally formed from the same pipe material. The connection of the left and right lateral frame portions 20 by the rear frame portion 40 improves the overall rigidity, and by swinging one lateral frame portion 20, the other lateral frame portion 20 also swings in conjunction with it.

[0028] The swinging coupling mechanism 50 has a coupling bracket 51 fixed to the vertical bar-shaped member 11 of the base portion 10. The side frame portion 20 (specifically the rear end of the lower frame portion 22) is swingably connected to this coupling bracket 51 by a coupling portion 52. The coupling portion 52 can be constructed by any appropriate method, such as a threaded coupling pin and a nut screwed onto it.

[0029] A swing angle changing mechanism is provided for changing the swing angle of the lateral frame portion 20. This swing angle changing mechanism has the same structure as the swing angle changing mechanism described in Patent Document 1, so its explanation will be omitted.

[0030] Next, the relationship between the lateral frame portion 20 and the front arm portion 30 will be explained. First, the front arm portion 30 is formed in a roughly L-shape by bending a pipe material. That is, the front arm portion 30 has a rotating portion 31 that follows the upper frame portion 21 of the lateral frame portion 20, and a main body portion 32 that extends from the rotating portion 31, bent at approximately 90 degrees. As will be described later, the main body portion 32 is an assistance portion that prevents the person being assisted P, seated on the seated toilet 1, from falling forward when the front arm portion 30 is in use. The front arm portions 30 are provided for the left and right lateral frame portions 20, respectively.

[0031] The rotating part 31 is rotatably attached to the upper frame part 21. This allows the front arm part 30 to selectively assume a working position where the main body part 32 extends horizontally (the position shown in Figure 1) and a retracted position where its tip faces upward (the position shown in Figure 2). The swing of the front arm part 30 can be locked in the retracted position by a locking mechanism 90, which will be described later.

[0032] A pair of left and right rotating parts 31 and a main body part 32 are each fitted with a cushion member 80. When the front arm part 30 is in use, the cushion member 80 is positioned in front of and to the left and right sides of the person being assisted P who is seated on the toilet seat 1. As a result, when the person being assisted P tries to fall forward or sideways, the upper body of the person being assisted P is softly supported by the front arm part 30 and the side frame part 20 via the cushion member 80.

[0033] Next, focusing on the locking mechanism 90 for locking the front arm portion 30 in either the usage position or the retracted position, the attachment of the front arm portion 30 to the side frame portion 20 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 8. In this embodiment, the retracted position is the locked position where the lock is performed, and the usage position is the unlocked position where the lock is not performed. Furthermore, since the locking mechanism 90 is exactly the same as the locking mechanism 90 described in Patent Document 1, only its outline will be explained.

[0034] First, the rear end of the rotating portion 31 in the front arm portion 30 is formed by an axial connecting member 33. See Figure 6. This connecting member 33 is formed, for example, by extruding an aluminum alloy, and is fixed to the rotating part 31, which is made of pipe material, by fasteners 34 such as bolts.

[0035] The cross-sectional shape of the connecting member 33 is shown in Figures 7 and 8. As shown in its cross-sectional shape, the connecting member 33 has a locking groove 33a as a first locking part, and a first stopper part 33b and a second stopper part 33c, which are each made up of locking steps.

[0036] The front arm portion 30 (the rotating portion 31) and the side frame portion 20 (the upper frame portion 21) are connected using a connecting bracket 100. Specifically, the connecting bracket 100 has a first cylindrical portion 101 as a rotating holding portion into which the rotating portion 31 of the front arm portion 30 is rotatably fitted, and a second cylindrical portion 102 as a fixing portion into which the upper frame portion 31 of the side frame portion 20 is fitted.

[0037] The connecting bracket 100 has a two-part structure at the second cylindrical portion 102, consisting of a first component 100A and a second component 100B. The two components 100A and 100B are fastened together by a bolt 103 and nut 104 that penetrates the upper frame portion 21. The bolt 103 and nut 104 also integrate the upper frame portion 21 and the connecting bracket 100.

[0038] The connecting bracket 100 has a recess 101d formed between the first cylindrical portion 101 and the second cylindrical portion 102, having an inner circumferential surface with an arc-shaped cross-section. The recess 101d is formed in the shape of a slit that extends along the entire axial length of the first cylindrical portion 101. A swing lever 110, which serves as an operating member, is swingably attached to the first cylindrical portion 101 by a pin member 111. At the position of the pin member 111, a connecting portion 110c, which is a convex portion with an outer circumferential surface with an arc-shaped cross-section formed in the middle part of the swing lever 110, is rotatably fitted into the recess 101d.

[0039] One end of the swinging lever 110 is a protruding second locking portion, which is a locking portion 110a. This locking portion 110a is designed to pass through the through hole 101c formed in the first cylindrical portion 101 and can be fitted (locked) into the locking groove 33a of the connecting member 33. When the locking portion 110a is fitted into the locking groove 33a, the swinging of the front arm portion 30 is restricted, resulting in a locked state (the state shown in Figure 7). The swinging lever 110 is biased by a spring 112, which acts as a biasing means, in the direction that the locking portion 110a fits into the locking groove 33a. In this embodiment, the spring 112 is made of a leaf spring and is interposed between the swinging lever 110 and the connecting bracket 100.

[0040] The swing lever 110 has a manually operated operating part 110b. From the locked state shown in Figure 7, by operating the operating part 110b clockwise in Figure 7, the engagement of the locking part 110a with the locking groove 33a is released (unlocked), and the front arm part 30 can be swung to the operating position shown in Figure 8.

[0041] In this embodiment, the through-hole 101c formed in the first cylindrical portion 101 is in the form of a slit extending along the entire axial length of the first cylindrical portion 101, but it is not limited to this. Specifically, the through-hole 101c can also be in a shape in which at least one end in its longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the connecting member 33) is closed (it may also be in a shape in which both ends are closed, or in a shape in which only one end is closed).

[0042] On the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 101 of the connecting bracket 100, a first stepped portion 101a and a second stepped portion 101b are formed, spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and consist of locking steps. As shown in Figure 7, when the front arm portion 30 is rotated from the working position to the retracted position, the first stopper portion 33b of the connecting member 33 comes into contact with the first stepped portion 101a, preventing the front arm portion 30 from rotating further beyond the retracted position.

[0043] When the front arm portion 30 is rotated from the retracted position to the operational position, Figure 8 As shown, the second stopper portion 33c of the connecting member 33 comes into contact with the second stepped portion 101b, preventing the front arm portion 30 from rotating further beyond the operating position.

[0044] To change the front arm portion 30, which is in the locked position shown in Figure 7, from the retracted position to the operational position, the operating portion 110b of the swing lever 110 is operated to disengage its locking portion 110a from the locking groove 33a of the connecting member 33.

[0045] The aforementioned connecting bracket 100, swing lever 110, and connecting member 33 in the front arm portion 30 are formed by extruding a metal material such as an aluminum alloy. Since each of the above members 100, 110, and 33 has manufacturing tolerances, the connecting member 33 is fitted to the first cylindrical portion 101 of the connecting bracket 100 with a slight amount of play. Furthermore, the engagement between the locking portion 110a of the swing lever 110 and the locking groove 33a of the connecting member 33 also results in a slight amount of play. For this reason, even when the front arm portion 30 is locked in the retracted position, it will still have some degree of play.

[0046] Due to rattling within the first cylindrical portion 101 of the connecting member 33, even if the person being cared for P or their caregiver touches the tip (upper part) of the front arm portion 30, which is locked in the retracted position, with relatively little force, a large moment acts on the connecting member 33, which is the rotating part, causing the front arm portion 30 to sway considerably.

[0047] The spring 112 in the locking mechanism 90 acts as a force that reduces the rattle. However, a large moment is acted on the connecting member 33 by the external force acting on the tip of the front arm portion 30, and the biasing force of the spring 12 is too small compared to this large moment, making it virtually impossible to prevent rattle of the front arm portion 30.

[0048] In this invention, rattling within the first cylindrical portion 101 of the connecting member 33 is prevented by a separately provided pressing member and a first screw member. The configuration for preventing rattling will be described below with reference to Figures 4, 5, 9 to 11.

[0049] First, the pressing member 120 is held in the connecting bracket 100. This pressing member 120 is arranged in series with respect to the swing lever 110 so as to be adjacent to it in the axial direction of the first cylindrical portion 101.

[0050] The pressing member 120 has a connecting portion 120a in its middle section, which is a convex portion having an outer surface with an arc-shaped cross-section. This connecting portion 120a is fitted into the recess 101d of the first cylindrical portion 101, and the pressing member 120 swings around this connecting portion 120a. In this embodiment, the pressing member 120 is made of an aluminum alloy, but it can be made of other metals or synthetic resins.

[0051] The pressing member 120 has a first extension portion 120b extending to one side from the connecting portion 120a and a second extension portion 120c extending to the other side. The tip of the first extension portion 120c is a contact portion 120d that penetrates the through hole 101c formed in the first cylindrical portion 101. This contact portion 120d is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 33, which is the rotating portion of the front arm portion 30. The contact surface of the contact portion 120d that is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 33 is curved to have the same radius of curvature as the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 33, and is set to increase the contact area with the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 33.

[0052] A mounting hole 120e is formed in the first extension portion 120b through which the shaft portion of the first threaded member 121 passes. A threaded hole 101e is formed in the first cylindrical portion 101 at a position facing the mounting hole 120e. The first threaded member 121 is screwed into the threaded hole 101e with the mounting hole 120e passing through it. As this screwing progresses, the large-diameter head 121a of the first threaded member 121 presses against the first extension portion 120b, and the contact portion 120d of the pressing member 120 strongly presses against the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 33.

[0053] The screw force of the first screw member 121 strongly presses the contact portion 120d of the pressing member 120 against the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 33, thereby preventing rattling of the connecting member 33 relative to the connecting bracket 100 (the first cylindrical portion 101). The magnitude of the screw force of the first screw member 121 is adjusted to a range that satisfies both the prevention of rattling and the smooth rotation of the front arm portion 30 (connecting member 33) relative to the first cylindrical portion 101. Since the screw force of the first screw member 121 is finely adjustable, it is possible to satisfy both the prevention of rattling and the smooth rotation of the front arm portion 30 at a high level.

[0054] A support member 122 is provided on the second extension portion 120c of the pressing member 120. Support member 122 This functions as a reaction force transmission means for transmitting the reaction force acting from the connecting member 33, which is the rotating part, to the pressing member 120 to the connecting bracket 100. In this embodiment, the support member 122 is formed by a threaded member (grub screw) extending parallel to the bolt 103. That is, a threaded hole 120f is formed in the second extension portion 120c, and the support member 122 is screwed into this threaded hole 120f. Support member 122 The tip of the first cylindrical part 101 of the connecting bracket 100 is in contact with the upper surface of the first cylindrical part 101.

[0055] The pressing member 120, which presses the connecting member 33 with the first threaded member 121, will experience a reaction force from the connecting member 33. This reaction force will be firmly received by the connecting bracket 100 via the support member 122. This prevents the reaction force from concentrating on the first threaded member 121. In particular, the reaction force acts in the axial direction of the support member 122 and will be firmly received by the highly rigid bolt 103 parallel to the support member 122.

[0056] As shown in Figure 11, a screw hole 120g is formed in the first extension portion 120b of the pressing member 120. A second screw member 123 is screwed into this screw hole 120g. The second screw member 123 is located at a distance from the first screw member 121 in the axial direction of the first cylindrical portion 101. In this embodiment, the second screw member 123 is a grub screw, and its tip is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 101.

[0057] The screw force of the second screw member 123 acts in a direction that separates the head 121a of the first screw member 121 from the first cylindrical portion 101. In other words, the screw force of the second screw member 123 acts in the opposite direction to the direction in which the first screw member 121 presses the pressing member 120, thus preventing the first screw member 121 from loosening (locking action of the second screw member 123 on the first screw member 121). Due to the anti-loosening function of the second screw member 123, the screw force in the first screw member 121 is maintained at a favorable initial setting value over a long period of time.

[0058] Two first threaded members 121 are provided at intervals along the axial direction of the first cylindrical portion 101, and only one second threaded member 123 is provided between the two first threaded members 121. The number of first threaded members 121 and second threaded members 123 is not particularly limited.

[0059] The pressing member 120 is entirely covered by a cover member 124 so that it cannot be seen from the outside. The cover member 124 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is detachably attached to the pressing member 120. That is, as shown in Figure 11, a convex engaging portion 124a provided on the inner surface of the cover member 124 engages with a hole-shaped locking portion 120h formed in the pressing member 120 (the second extended portion). In addition, a claw-shaped engaging portion 124b formed at the end of the cover member 124 locks with a locking portion 120i formed in the pressing member 120. The cover member 124 may also be attached to the connecting bracket 100, and the attachment method can be any appropriate method, such as using a separate fastener.

[0060] The oscillating lever 110 and the pressing member 120, which are arranged in series, are prevented from being displaced in the axial direction of the first cylindrical portion 101 by stopper members (not shown) provided at each axial end of the first cylindrical portion 101.

[0061] In particular, if the connecting bracket 100 is made of a soft material such as aluminum or synthetic resin, the female threads of the screw hole 101e are prone to damage. However, by having a rotational connecting structure with a reaction force transmission means, as in this embodiment, the predetermined screw force of the first screw member 121 can be maintained over a long period of time.

[0062] Figure 12 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the previous embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted (this also applies to yet another embodiment described below). In this embodiment, the tip of the bolt 103 that fixes the connecting bracket 110 to the lateral frame portion 20 also functions as a support member extending between the second extension portion 120c and the connecting bracket 100. The tip of the bolt 103 is covered with a cap-shaped elastic member 130 made of, for example, hard rubber. The elastic member 130 is interposed between the bolt 103 and the second extension portion 120c of the pressing member 120, but the elastic member 130 can be omitted when the second extension portion 120c can directly contact the bolt 103. In this embodiment, the reaction force acting on the pressing member 120 can be firmly received from its axial direction by the highly rigid bolt 103. Furthermore, the configuration of the reaction force transmission means is simple and can be provided at low cost.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the pressing member 120 is further configured to have a storage recess 120j in which the head 121a of the first screw member 121 is housed, while the cover member 124 is not included.

[0064] Figure 13 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, which is a modified version of Figure 12. In this embodiment, the elastic member 140, which serves as a reaction force transmission means, is provided at the tip of the second extension 120c of the pressing member 120, which is furthest from the contact portion 120d, the input point of the reaction force from the connecting member 33. This is preferable in that it effectively receives the reaction force.

[0065] Figure 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a modified version of the embodiments shown in Figures 9 to 11, and the pressing member 120 is configured without a second extension portion 120c. Furthermore, it is configured without a reaction force transmission means.

[0066] Figures 15 to 17 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 90 is provided at a separate location away from the connecting bracket 100, and therefore, the configuration related to the locking mechanism 90 is not shown.

[0067] In this embodiment, a storage groove 101f extending along the entire axial length is formed on the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 101 of the connecting bracket 100. A plate-shaped pressing member 150 is disposed in this storage groove 101f, extending for almost the entire axial length of the first cylindrical portion 101. This pressing member 150 is preferably made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy for durability and other considerations, but it can also be made of a synthetic resin.

[0068] The first cylindrical portion 101 has a storage hole 101g that extends along its entire axial length, parallel to the storage groove portion 101f. A block member 151 is disposed inside this storage hole 101g.

[0069] In the first cylindrical portion 101, through holes 101h and 101i are formed axially spaced apart on the opposite side of the pressing member 150, with the block member 151 in between. In this embodiment, there are two through holes 101h and one through hole 101i. The through hole 101i is located between two adjacent through holes 101h. Each through hole 101h and 101i faces the block member 151.

[0070] The first cylindrical portion 101 has a through hole 101j that connects the storage groove portion 101f and the storage hole 101g, and is coaxial with the through hole 101h.

[0071] The block member 151 has screw holes 151a and 151b formed at positions corresponding to the through holes 101h and 101i. Screw hole 151a is for a first screw member 161 that is inserted through the through hole 101h. Screw hole 151b is for a third screw member 162 that is inserted through the through hole 101i.

[0072] As shown in Figure 17, the third screw member 162, inserted through the through hole 101i, is screwed into the screw hole 151b. The tip of the third screw member 162 abuts against the inner wall surface on the storage groove 101f side of the storage hole 101g. Furthermore, by rotating the third screw member 162 in a predetermined direction, the block member 151 is displaced to the right in Figure 17 by its screw force, but any displacement to the right beyond a predetermined point is restricted by the inner wall surface on the through hole 101i side of the storage hole 101g. As a result, the block member 151 is fixed to the predetermined position of the connecting bracket 100.

[0073] As shown in Figure 16, the first threaded member 161, inserted through the through hole 101h, is screwed into and passes through the threaded hole 151a, with its tip in contact with the pressing member 150. When the first threaded member 161 is rotated in the direction in which the screwing into the threaded hole 151a progresses (this rotation direction displaces the block member 151 to the right in the figure), the screw force of the first threaded portion 161 causes the pressing member 150 to press against the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 33 (preventing rattling of the connecting member 33 relative to the first cylindrical portion 101). In particular, if the connecting bracket 100 is made of a soft material such as aluminum or synthetic resin, the female thread is prone to damage. However, by configuring a rotatable connecting structure as in this embodiment and forming the block member 151 from a harder material such as stainless steel, the predetermined screw force of the first threaded member 161 can be maintained over a long period of time.

[0074] The direction in which the third screw member 162 presses against the block member 151 is opposite to the direction in which the first screw member 161 presses against the pressing member 150, thereby preventing the first screw member 161 from loosening.

[0075] Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. The front arm portion 30 may be provided on only one of the pair of left and right side frame portions 20. The swing angle of the side frame portion 20 may be continuously variable, or it may be fixed and unable to be changed.

[0076] The locking mechanism 90 may be configured to lock the rotation of the front arm portion 30 in both the retracted position and the operational position, or it may be configured to lock only in the operational position. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 90 is not limited to that of the embodiment, and any suitable structure can be adopted. In the first to fourth embodiments, the locking mechanism 90 is provided on the connecting bracket 100, but the locking mechanism 90 may be provided at a separate location away from the connecting bracket 100. In the fifth embodiment, the locking mechanism 90 is provided at a separate location away from the connecting bracket 100, but the locking mechanism 90 may be provided on the connecting bracket 100.

[0077] The first locking portion can also be in the form of a locking step rather than a groove, namely the locking groove 33a. Specifically, in Figure 7, which shows the locked position, the locking step can be in the form of a locking step that constitutes only the inner wall surface on the side of the second stopper portion 33c among the inner wall surfaces on both sides of the locking groove 33a in the circumferential direction. The second or third screw member that prevents the first screw member from loosening can also be a female screw member (for example, the second or third screw member can be a lock nut that is screwed onto the first screw member, which is a male screw member).

[0078] As the second member that acts as a rotating member (corresponding to the front arm portion 30 in the embodiment), any suitable member can be selected, such as the elbow rest described in Patent Document 1, as long as it is positioned near the person being cared for who is seated on the seat and has the function of assisting the person being cared for. Similarly, as the first member (corresponding to the lateral frame portion 20 in the embodiment), any suitable member can be selected, as long as it is connected to the first member in a rotatable manner.

[0079] The devices having a seat to which the present invention applies are not limited to seated toilets, but also include, for example, fixed chairs for resting or fixed chairs in viewing positions, and other appropriate devices. Furthermore, the modifications described in Patent Document 1 can also be applied as is. Of course, the objectives of the present invention are not limited to those explicitly stated, but implicitly include providing substantially preferable or advantageous features. [Industrial applicability]

[0080] The present invention is suitable as an assistive device having a rotating coupling structure with a locking function. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] P: Assisted person K: Assistive device 1: Sit-down toilet 10: Base component 20: Side frame section (first member) 30: Front arm section (second member) 31: Rotating part 32: Main body 33: Connecting member 33a: Locking groove (first locking part) 90: Locking mechanism 100: Connecting bracket 101: First cylindrical section (rotating holding section) 101c: Through hole 101e: Screw hole (for first screw member) 102:Second cylinder part (fixed part) 110: Swiveling lever (swinging member) 110a: Locking part 110b: Operation unit 112: Spring 120: Pressing member 120a: Connection part 120b: 1st extension part 120c: Second extension section (reaction force transmission means) 120d: Contact part 120e: Mounting hole (for the first threaded member) 120f: Screw hole (for second screw member) 120g: Screw hole (for third threaded component) 120h: Locking hole (for cover component) 120i: Locking part (for cover component) 120j: Recessed storage area (for the first screw member, see Figures 12 and 13) 121: First threaded member 121a: Head 122: Support member 123: Second threaded member 124: Cover component 130: Elastic member (reaction force transmission means - Figure 12) 140: Elastic member (reaction force transmission means - Figure 13) 150: Pressing member (Figures 15-17) 151: Block members (Figures 15-17) 151a: Screw hole (for the first screw member in Figure 16) 151b: Screw hole (for the third screw member in Figure 17) 161: First threaded member (Figures 15-17) 162: Third threaded member (Figures 15-17)

Claims

1. A rotating coupling structure in an assistance device installed near the seat where the person being assisted is seated, A connecting bracket having a fixed part and a rotating holding part, A first member fixed to the fixing portion of the connecting bracket, A second member having an assistance portion and being rotatably held by the rotating holding portion of the connecting bracket, and capable of selectively taking between a use position in which the assistance portion is used to assist a person seated on the seat and a retracted position rotated by a predetermined angle from the use position, A pressing member is held by the connecting bracket and is capable of contacting the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion of the second member that is held by the rotating holding portion, A first threaded member is screwed into a part of the connecting bracket and presses the pressing member toward the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion, Equipped with, The pressing member has a connecting portion that is pivotably connected to the connecting bracket, and a first extending portion that extends from the connecting portion and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion. The first screw member is located in the first extension portion. A rotating coupling structure in an assistive device characterized by the above.

2. A rotating coupling structure in an assistance device disposed near a seat on which a person being assisted is seated, A connecting bracket having a fixed part and a rotating holding part, The first member fixed to the fixing portion of the connecting bracket, A second member having an assistance portion and being rotatably held by the rotating holding portion of the connecting bracket, and capable of selectively taking between a use position in which the assistance portion is used to assist a person seated on the seat and a retracted position rotated by a predetermined angle from the use position, A pressing member is held by the connecting bracket and is capable of contacting the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion of the second member that is held by the rotating holding portion, A first threaded member is screwed into a part of the connecting bracket and presses the pressing member toward the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion, A second screw member for applying a force to the pressing member in the opposite direction to the pressing direction applied to the pressing member by the first screw member, A rotating coupling structure in an assistive device, characterized by having the following features.

3. The rotational connection structure in the assistive device according to claim 1, characterized in that a reaction force transmission means is provided between the pressing member and the connecting bracket for transmitting the reaction force acting from the rotating portion to the pressing member to the connecting bracket.

4. The rotational connection structure in the assistive device according to claim 2, characterized in that a reaction force transmission means is provided between the pressing member and the connecting bracket for transmitting the reaction force acting from the rotating portion to the pressing member to the connecting bracket.

5. The rotational connecting structure in the assistive device according to claim 3, characterized in that the reaction force transmission means has a second extension formed on the pressing member and extending from the connecting portion so as to be spaced apart from the contact portion, and a support member extending between the second extension and the connecting bracket.

6. The rotational connecting structure in the assistive device according to claim 3, characterized in that the reaction force transmission means has a second extension formed on the pressing member and extending from the connecting portion so as to be spaced apart from the contact portion, and an elastic member interposed between the second extension and the connecting bracket.

7. A rotating coupling structure in an assistance device disposed near a seat on which a person being assisted is seated, A connecting bracket having a fixed part and a rotating holding part, The first member fixed to the fixing portion of the connecting bracket, A second member having an assistance portion and being rotatably held by the rotating holding portion of the connecting bracket, and capable of selectively taking between a use position in which the assistance portion is used to assist a person seated on the seat and a retracted position rotated by a predetermined angle from the use position, A pressing member is held by the connecting bracket and is capable of contacting the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion of the second member that is held by the rotating holding portion, A first threaded member is screwed into a part of the connecting bracket and presses the pressing member toward the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion, Equipped with, The pressing member is disposed within the rotating holding portion and extends along the rotating portion of the second member. The tip of the first screw member presses the pressing member toward the outer circumferential surface of the rotating portion, A block member is loosely inserted into a part of the connecting bracket, through which the first screw member is screwed. A third screw member is provided for applying a force to the block member in the opposite direction to the pressing direction applied to the pressing member by the first screw member. A rotating coupling structure in an assistive device characterized by the above.

8. A rotational coupling structure in an assistive device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, or 7, characterized in that it has a locking mechanism for locking the rotation of the second member between the use position and the retracted position at at least one of the use position or the retracted position.

9. An assistive device characterized by comprising a rotating coupling structure according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, or 7.

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