JP6764633B2 - Walker - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a walking machine for assisting or supporting the walking of a user. In particular, it relates to a walking machine equipped with a lock system for ensuring the safety of the user.

Conventionally, various types of walking machines have been devised to assist or support walking training for rehabilitation of patients with walking disorders and walking of elderly people with weakened leg and waist muscles.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a walking machine provided with a wheel provided on the lower frame and provided with an upper limb support frame that bends significantly forward from a connecting portion connected to the upper end of the lower frame. According to this walking machine, the user holds the grip formed at the tip of the upper limb support frame with his / her left and right hands, and can move the device and himself / herself together while pressing the upper limb support frame with both hands. ..
Further, in order to further reduce the burden on the lower limbs, a walking assist device that supports the weight of the user with a seat is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Some conventional pedestrians are equipped with a braking mechanism to slow down and stop while driving, but to prevent the pedestrian from accidentally running on its own and falling when the user gets on and off. In addition, it is preferable to have a locking function such as a parking brake. For example, Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose a walking machine provided with a caster having a lock function and whose lock is released when a user operates a release lever.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-123577 JP 2013-240477 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-000278 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-12038

In the conventional walking machine described above, by locking the casters, it is possible to ensure a certain degree of safety when the user gets on and off. However, since the transferred user cannot walk unless the lock is released by operating the release lever, there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated. In addition, if the user forgets to lock when getting off the pedestrian, the pedestrian may suddenly run on its own and the risk of falling cannot be completely eliminated, and a safer mechanism has been required.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and is a walking machine or a walking machine that can sufficiently ensure the safety when the user gets on and off and also improves the convenience of the user. It is intended to provide a locking system that can be suitably used for it.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a walking machine provided with a plurality of casters, a frame for connecting and supporting the casters, and a seating portion on which the user is seated, and the casters are always locked. It is characterized by including a locking means for urging and an unlocking means for unlocking the caster when a load is applied to the seating portion.

In the pedestrian machine, the seating portion is supported on a plate that swings around an axis with respect to the frame, and the plate is constantly urged rearward about the axis to the seating portion. It is preferable that the plate swings forward about the shaft when a load is applied to unlock the casters.

The pedestrian machine has a configuration in which the seating portion integrally has a backrest portion, and the plate swings rearward about the axis in conjunction with the backrest portion falling backward to lock the casters. It is preferable to have.

In the walking machine, it is preferable that the wire for releasing the lock of the caster by applying tension is connected to the front end portion of the plate.

In the walking machine, the wire that unlocks the caster by applying tension may be in contact with the lower part of the front end of the plate.

In the walking machine, it is preferable that the locking means simultaneously locks the wheel rotation shaft of the caster and the turning shaft that changes the direction of the wheel.

In the walking machine, it is preferable that the unlocking means simultaneously unlocks the wheel rotation shaft of the caster and the turning shaft that changes the direction of the wheel.

According to the walking machine of the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the safety when the user gets on and off. Further, since no special operation for unlocking the caster is required, the convenience of the user can be improved.

It is a perspective view of the walking machine according to one Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the use state of the pedestrian machine of FIG. It is a top view of the locking plate. It is a figure for demonstrating operation of a lock system. It is a side view which further shows the use state of the pedestrian machine of FIG. It is a figure for further explaining the operation of a lock system.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the walking machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external structure of the walking machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state of use of the walking machine 1. The walking machine 1 shown in these figures is a device for assisting or supporting the walking of a user who has difficulty walking mainly due to a decrease in muscle strength of the lower limbs. The walking machine 1 includes four casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR, leg frames 11L, 11R, 12L, and 12R that connect and support the casters, and a saddle 31 that is a seating portion on which the user sits. ing. According to such a walking machine 1, the user can walk naturally with his / her feet while sitting on the saddle 31. Further, the walking machine 1 may be integrally provided with a backrest portion 32 connected after the saddle 31, for example, via a back support column 33.

The pedestrian machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a lock system that locks the casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR when the pedestrian machine is stopped in order to ensure the safety of the user when getting on and off the pedestrian machine. The lock system of the walking machine 1 is configured to release the lock in conjunction with the rocking operation of the saddle 31. Therefore, a special unlocking operation using a lever or the like as in the conventional case is not required, and the convenience of the user is improved.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the frame of the walking machine 1 includes four leg frames 11L, 11R, 12L, and 12R, and the vertically standing upper ends of the leg frames are collectively connected. It is fixed to the plate 20. The leg frame 11L extending to the left on the front side of the pedestrian machine 1 descends from the connecting plate 20, bends diagonally forward to the left at a predetermined position on the way, and further bends downward at the front end. A caster 10FL is provided at the tip of the leg frame 11L. The leg frame 11R extending to the right front has a symmetrical shape with the above-mentioned left leg frame 11L, and a caster 10FR is also provided at the tip of the frame.

The leg frame 12L extending to the left on the rear side of the pedestrian machine 1 descends from the connecting plate 20, bends to the left rear on the way, and bends downward at the rear end. A caster 10RL is provided at the tip of the leg frame 12L. The leg frame 12R extending to the right rear is also symmetrical with the leg frame 12L centering on the walking machine 1, and a caster 10RR is provided at the tip of the frame.

Two handlebars 15L and 15R are fixed to the connecting plate 20 in a manner of being curved and extending to each side toward the front. Although not shown, handlebars extending to the left and right may be formed by connecting them in an annular shape.

The leg frames 11L, 11R, 12L, 12R and the handlebars 15L, 15R are formed by bending a tubular metal member, respectively.

The casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR each include a caster unit having a wheel that rotates around a horizontal axis (rotational axis) and a vertical axis (swivel axis) that enables the wheel to rotate. Since the wheel of the caster unit is located at a position where the vertical axis is slightly deviated from the ground contact point, the wheel of the caster unit is steered so as to always face the traveling direction of the walking machine 1 due to the caster rail effect. As a result, the straight running stability of the walking machine 1 can be obtained, and the direction can be changed smoothly.

The caster units constituting the casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR are provided with a locking mechanism that can automatically lock the wheels at all times. This locking mechanism includes a spring that constantly urges the rotating shaft and the turning shaft of the wheel to be locked at the same time. By applying a traction force from the outside against the urging force of the spring, for example, via a wire, the locked state of the rotating shaft and the turning shaft of the wheel is released.

As a caster provided with an automatic locking mechanism capable of unlocking by such a wire, a unit provided by TENTE of Germany can be adopted.

The lock system provided in the pedestrian machine 1 includes a locking means for urging casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR having an automatic locking mechanism as described above to the side that is always locked, and a user sitting on the saddle 31. It is equipped with an unlocking means that unlocks the casters when a load is applied.

An example of a more specific configuration of this lock system will be described. Here, FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the locking plate 40 for fixing the leg support 34 of the saddle 31. The locking plate 40 is swingably attached to the leg frames 12L and 12R on the rear side. The locking plate 40 is provided with leg support receiving portions 45 for fixing and attaching the leg columns 34 of the saddle 31, and brackets 43L and 43R rising from both ends of the plate.

Wires 51L and 51R for unlocking the casters 10RL and 10RR on the rear side are connected to the upper part of the front end of the locking plate 40. The length and tension of the wires 51L and 51R can be appropriately initialized by the adjusting fasteners 53L and 53R that fasten the tips of the wires 51L and 51R to the locking plate 40.

Further, the wires 52L and 52R for unlocking the casters 10FL and 10FR on the front side are in contact with the lower part of the front end of the locking plate 40 and are connected to the lower part of the rear end of the plate. The adjustment fasteners 54L, 54R that fasten the tips of the wires 52L, 52R allow the initial length and tension of the wires 52L, 52R to be adjusted appropriately.

In addition to these, the locking plate 40 may be provided with training wheels 46 via an auxiliary leg frame 47 extending from the rear portion.

On the other hand, the leg frames 12L and 12R of the walking machine 1 are provided with plate-shaped frame brackets 16L and 16R hanging from the frame. The brackets 43L and 43R of the locking plate 40 are fitted between the left and right frame brackets 16L and 16R. A shaft pin 41L is provided through each of the shaft holes of the left frame bracket 16L and the bracket 43L, and similarly, a shaft pin 41R is provided through each of the shaft holes of the right frame bracket 16R and the bracket 43R. Be done. As a result, the locking plate 40 can swing around the shaft pins 41L and 41R with respect to the rear leg frames 12L and 12R.

The leg support portion 45 for attaching the leg support 34 of the saddle 31 is located in front of the shaft pins 41L and 41R.

A regulation pin 42L is planted in the bracket 43L of the locking plate 40 at a position predetermined distance forward from the shaft pin 41L. Similarly, the bracket 43R on the right side is also planted with the regulation pin 42R at a predetermined distance forward from the shaft pin 41R. The regulation pins 42L and 42R are provided so as to penetrate the arcuate elongated holes of the frame brackets 16L and 16R.

By restricting the movement of the regulation pins 42L and 42R in the arcuate elongated hole, the saddle 31 is substantially horizontal from the first position (initial position) tilted slightly backward together with the backrest portion 32. Locking is regulated up to the second position (walking position) of (approximately vertical). Further, the coil springs 44L and 44R in the extended state are erected between the front end portion of the locking plate 40 and the front portion of the frame brackets 16L and 16R. That is, the elastic contraction force generated in the coil springs 44L and 44R is always urged to the first position side where the saddle 31 and the backrest portion 32 are tilted rearward by pulling up the front end portion of the locking plate 40.

As described above, in the walking machine 1 of the present embodiment, the locking plate 40 swinging with respect to the leg frames 12L and 12R is constantly urged rearward by the coil springs 44L and 44R, and is always urged rearward on the locking plate 40. The saddle 31 is supported.

In the first position where the user was not seated on the saddle 31 and the locking plate 40 was tilted backwards, no tension was generated on the wires 51L, 51R, 52L, 52R, and all casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, 10RR. The locked state is maintained. This locking means simultaneously locks the wheel rotation shaft and the turning shaft of the casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR. Therefore, for example, when the user transfers to the walking machine 1, it is possible to prevent the walking machine 1 from suddenly starting to move, thereby preventing the occurrence of a dangerous situation in which the user falls.

On the other hand, the unlocking means operates to unlock all casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR when the user sits on the saddle 31. The leg support 34 of the saddle 31 is supported in front of the shaft pins 41L and 41R, which are the swing shafts of the locking plate 40. Therefore, when the user sits on the saddle 31 of the walking machine 1, the load W of the weight of the user is applied to the front part of the locking plate 40 via the leg support 34, and as a result, as shown in FIG. The locking plate 40 is in the second position where it swings forward.

At this second position, the locking plate 40 pulls on the ends of the wires 51L and 51R, which causes tension T1 on the wires 51L and 51R, thus unlocking the casters 10RL and 10RR on the rear side. Further, the locking plate 40 pushes down the side portions of the wires 52L and 52R, which causes tension T2 on the wires 52L and 52R, so that the casters 10FL and 10FR on the front side are unlocked.

The unlocking means simultaneously unlocks the wheel rotation shafts and swivel shafts of all casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR. The user can unlock and walk smoothly just by sitting on the saddle 31. In particular, since it is not necessary to release the lever or the like, even a user with a slight disability such as a foot or a hand can easily use the walking machine 1 by himself without an assistant.

As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the lock system of the present embodiment locks all casters 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, and 10RR only by reclining to the backrest portion 32 while the user is sitting on the saddle 31. It also works. That is, as the backrest portion 32 falls backward, the locking plate 40 swings backward and returns to the first position as shown in FIG. Therefore, the tension of the wires 51L, 51R, 52L, and 52R is released, and as a result, all 10FL, 10FR, 10RR, and 10RR are locked. As a result, the user can safely stop the walking machine 1 while sitting on the saddle 31 and take a break without getting off the walking machine 1.

The walking machine according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the above-mentioned lock system can be applied to a walking assist machine or a walking support machine in which the frame structure is changed, the number of casters is increased or decreased, or the saddle is changed to a seat, for example. Further, the lock system and the brake may be operated in conjunction with each other. In addition to walking machines, the scope of the present invention also includes devices in which the lock system is applied to other devices such as wheelchairs.

1 Walker 10FL, 10FR, 10RL, 10RR Caster 11L, 11R, 12L, 12R Leg frame 15L, 15R Handlebar 16L, 16R Frame bracket 20 Connecting plate 31 Seating part (saddle)
32 Backrest 33 Back support 34 Leg support 40 Locking plate 41L, 41R Shaft pin 42L, 42R Regulation pin 43L, 43R Bracket 44L, 44R Coil spring 45 Leg support support 46 Auxiliary wheel 47 Auxiliary leg frame 51L, 51R, 52L, 52R Wire 53L, 53R, 54L, 54R Adjustable fasteners USR user

Claims (3)

A walking machine provided with a plurality of casters, a frame for connecting and supporting the casters, and a seating portion on which the user is seated.
It is provided with a locking means for constantly urging the caster to a locked state and an unlocking means for unlocking the caster when a load is applied to the seating portion .
The seating portion is supported on a plate that swings about an axis with respect to the frame, and the plate is constantly urged rearward about the shaft, and a load is applied to the seating portion. A walking machine having a configuration in which the plate swings forward about the axis to unlock the casters . The present invention is claimed, wherein the seating portion integrally has a backrest portion, and the plate swings rearward about the axis in conjunction with the backrest portion falling backward to lock the casters. The walking machine according to 1 . The walking machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a wire for releasing the lock of the caster by applying tension is connected to the front end portion of the plate.

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