JP7758335B2 - Caster locking mechanism, bedside table, bed, and attached body equipped with the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to bedside tables, beds, etc. equipped with casters, and in particular to caster locking mechanisms.

Bedside tables placed next to hospital beds have casters attached to the bottom so that they can be moved by hand, and are equipped with a caster locking mechanism. For example, a rod is connected to the caster so that the caster can be locked and unlocked manually, and an operating member that can slide up and down is connected to the upper end of the rod (see Patent Document 1). Another known caster locking mechanism is one in which an operating part that can be operated with the foot is attached to a connecting shaft that simultaneously locks adjacent casters (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-77837 Patent No. 5468358

Whether manual or foot operation is preferable for locking and unlocking casters depends on factors such as the usage situation (e.g., working while carrying luggage), the user's physical condition or symptoms, and the specifications of the bedside table (e.g., size and weight).

Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism that allows the casters to be freely locked and unlocked, either manually or by foot operation.

One aspect of the present invention, a caster locking mechanism, is applicable to a mounting surface where multiple casters are attached to the corners of a base, such as a bedside table, bed, or furniture. The caster locking mechanism includes a manual operation unit that is manually operated to lock or unlock opposing casters among the multiple casters; a foot operation unit that is attached to a connecting shaft that connects the opposing casters near both ends and is operated with the foot to lock or unlock the opposing casters; and a wheel locking mechanism that locks or unlocks the opposing caster in response to a locking operation on the manual operation unit or foot operation unit.

Then, by controlling the positioning of the foot operated unit, manual operated unit, wheel locking mechanism, or connecting shaft, the following operations are performed: unlocking operation by the foot operated unit after locking operation by the manual operated unit, unlocking operation by the manual operated unit after locking operation by the foot operated unit, locking operation by the foot operated unit after unlocking operation by the manual operated unit, and locking operation by the manual operated unit after unlocking operation by the foot operated unit. For example, a shaft locking mechanism is provided that can position the connecting shaft, which rotates in response to locking operations on the manual operated unit or foot operated unit, at a locked or unlocked position.

For example, the manual operation unit can be configured to be connected to a rod extending downward from the manual operation unit and to include an arm that connects the end of the rod to the end of the connecting shaft. The connection portion of the arm with the rod can be connected so that it is positioned higher in the locked state than in the unlocked state. Also, the connection portion of the arm with the rod can be configured to be farther from the caster wheel in the axial direction of the shaft than the connection portion with the connecting shaft.

The present invention provides a mechanism that allows casters to be freely locked and unlocked by either manual operation or foot operation.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a bedside table according to a first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall locking mechanism of the casters in the bedside table. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the area from the caster in the unlocked state to the foot operating unit. FIG. 10 is a view of the lock control mechanism in the unlocked state as seen from the caster side. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the manual operation unit in an unlocked state. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the area from the casters in a locked state to the foot operating unit. FIG. 10 is a view of the lock control mechanism in the locked state as seen from the caster side. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the manual operation unit in a locked state. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of a wheel lock mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an overall locking mechanism for casters of a bedside table in a second embodiment.

The following describes this embodiment of the bedside table with casters using the drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bedside table according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall caster locking mechanism of the bedside table.

The bedside table 100 is a storage table placed next to a bed in a hospital or other facility. Casters 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are attached to the four corners of the bottom 4 of the bedside table 100, allowing them to swivel and rotate freely. The user can push the bedside table 100 to move it to the desired position.

As shown in Figure 2, casters 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are attached via mounting members 6FR, 6FL, 6RR, and 6RL, respectively, which support the bottom 4. Casters 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are attached in pairs to mounting members 6FR, 6FL and mounting members 6RR, 6RL on the front and rear sides of the bottom 4 in the direction of travel, and are arranged facing each other left and right and front and rear.

As shown in Figure 2, the bedside table 100 is equipped with a caster locking mechanism 10. Casters 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are each equipped with a wheel locking mechanism 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D that locks and unlocks the wheels, respectively, and are provided with an operating unit (hereinafter referred to as a manual operating unit) 20 for manually locking and unlocking the wheels, and an operating unit (hereinafter referred to as a foot operating unit) 50 for locking and unlocking the wheels using the feet.

The front casters 5A and 5B of the bedside table 100 are connected by a front axle (connecting shaft) 61. The front caster 5A and rear caster 5C are connected by a side axle 63A, and the front caster 5B and rear caster 5D are connected by a side axle 63B. The U-shaped foot operating unit 50 is connected to the front axle 61 so that its footrests face each other. The manual operating unit 20, as described below, is connected to the end of the front axle 61.

The wheel locking mechanisms 40A-40D brake or allow the casters 5A-5D to rotate and swivel, respectively, in response to locking or unlocking operations. Well-known locking mechanisms can be used for the wheel locking mechanisms 40A-40D. Meanwhile, mechanisms (hereinafter referred to as lock control mechanisms) 60, 62 that control the positioning of the front shaft 61 are provided at the connection between the foot operating unit 50 and the front shaft 61.

In this embodiment, the following lock-to-unlock and unlock-to-lock operations are possible between the manual operation unit 20 and the foot operation unit 50: (1) a lock operation by the manual operation unit 20 followed by an unlock operation by the foot operation unit 50; (2) a lock operation by the manual operation unit 20 followed by an unlock operation by the foot operation unit 50; (3) a lock operation by the foot operation unit 50 followed by an unlock operation by the manual operation unit; and (4) a lock operation by the manual operation unit 20 followed by an unlock operation by the foot operation unit 50. These operations are described in detail below.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the area from the caster 5B to the foot operation unit 50 in the unlocked state. Figure 4 is a view of the lock control mechanism 60 in the unlocked state as seen from the caster 5B side. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the manual operation unit 20 in the unlocked state. However, the front side shaft 61 is not shown in Figure 4. The lock control mechanism 62 shown in Figure 2 has the same configuration as the lock control mechanism 60.

The lock control mechanism 60 has a U-shaped connecting part 65 that connects to one end 50E of the foot operating unit 50. In the unlocked state, the foot operating unit 50 is located at approximately the same height as the front side shaft 61, which here has a hexagonal cross-section. The connecting part 65 has a hexagonal hole R in its side walls 65A, 65B, into which the front side shaft 61 passes and fits. When a force is applied downward or upward to the connecting part 65 by operating the foot operating unit 50, the connecting part 65 rotates the front side shaft 61 counterclockwise or clockwise around its axis when viewed from the caster 5B side.

A mounting member 73 that supports the bottom portion 4 is provided around the connecting portion 65, with the front shaft 61 passing through it. The mounting member 73 is equipped with an engagement pin 66 that passes through a horizontally elongated hole r formed in the opposing inner wall and extends parallel to the front shaft 61. Meanwhile, recesses 67 and 68 that can engage with the engagement pin 66 are formed at the rear end of the side walls 65A and 65B of the connecting portion 65. A convex curved surface 71 is formed between the recesses 67 and 68.

The engagement pin 66 has a circular cross section here, extends to the outer surfaces of the side walls 65A, 65B of the connecting portion 65, and has flange portions 69 larger than the hole r formed at both ends. The hole r has a size and shape that allows the engagement pin 66, which has a circular cross section, to move forward and backward, and the engagement pin 66 is biased forward by an elastic member (not shown). In the unlocked state, the engagement pin 66 fits into a recess 67 above. The lock control mechanism 60 is configured by the engagement pin 66 and the recess 67.
The positioning of the front shaft 61 is controlled by switching the engagement state with the recess 68 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the front shaft 61 passes through the wheel lock mechanism 40B and the mounting member 6FL provided around it. A rod 64, which is connected to the manual operation unit 20 and extends downward, is connected to an arm 80 that connects to the end of the front shaft 61. The arm 80 is connected to the front shaft 61 at an end (connection) 83 and has a crank 82 that connects to the rod 64 at the other end (connection) 89. The position of the connection 89 between the crank 82 and the rod 64 along the front shaft 61 is farther away than the position of the connection 83 between the crank 82 and the front shaft 61. In other words, it is farther away from the caster 5B in the axial direction. Note that the rod 64 may also be configured to extend inward rather than outward from the side of the bed platform 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in Figure 5, the manual operation unit 20 is equipped with a slide mechanism 22 that can move up and down relative to an L-shaped frame 21. The slide mechanism 22 has a rectangular recess 20R on its front side, and the direction and range of movement are restricted by a guide (not shown) provided on the back of the frame 21. The up and down movement of the slide mechanism 22 and the up and down movement of the rod 64 are linked to each other. When in the unlocked state, the slide mechanism 22 is positioned at the bottom end position.

The operator can use the manual operation unit 20 or foot operation unit 50 to switch from the unlocked state shown in Figures 3 to 5 to the locked state shown in Figures 6 to 8.

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the caster 5B in the locked state, from the area around the foot operation unit 50. Figure 7 is a view of the shaft lock control mechanism 60 in the locked state, seen from the caster 5B side. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the manual operation unit 20 in the locked state. However, the front shaft 61 is not shown in Figure 7. Figures 6 to 8 correspond to Figures 3 to 5, respectively.

When the operator presses down on the foot operation unit 50 in the unlocked state shown in Figure 3 (see symbol A1 in Figure 3 and symbol A2 in Figure 4), the front shaft 61 pivots forward from the position shown in Figures 3 to 5 (unlocked position). This causes the engagement pin 66, which has been biased forward by the elastic member, to be pushed toward the rear end of the hole r.

As described above, a convex curved surface 71, along which the engagement pin 66 can slide, is formed between the two recesses 67, 68 provided on the connecting portion 65 of the lock control mechanism 60. Therefore, the engagement pin 66 moves along the convex curved surface 71 from the recess 67 to the recess 68 and fits into the recess 68. As a result, the front side shaft 61 is positioned in the position shown in Figure 7 (locked position). Furthermore, the wheel locking mechanisms 40A, 40B lock the casters 5A, 5B, and also lock the casters 5C, 5D via the side side shafts 63A, 63B (see Figure 2).

The arm 80 is connected to an end 83 of the front shaft 61 and is configured to move in conjunction with the axial rotation of the front shaft 61 (see symbol _A3-1 in FIG. 3). When the front shaft 61 is positioned at the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the arm 80 is positioned at the position shown in FIG. 6 by the axial rotation of the crank 82. In the locked state, the position (height) of the connection portion 89 of the arm 80 (crank 82) with the rod 64 is higher than the position in the unlocked state shown in FIG. 3.

The rod 64, which is connected to the crank 82 of the arm unit 80, moves upward in conjunction with the axial rotation of the front shaft 61. At this time, the rod 64 and crank 82 are connected so that the rod 64 moves up and down (vertically). In the manual operation unit 20, the slide mechanism 22 rises as the rod 64 rises, and is positioned at its upper limit position (locked position) (see Figure 8).

The above describes the locking operation of the casters 5A-5D, which is performed by operating the foot operation unit 50. Next, we will explain the unlocking operation, which is performed from this locked state by operating the manual operation unit 20.

When a user places his/her hand on the recess 20R provided in the slide mechanism 22 of the manual operation unit 20 and applies a downward force (see symbol _B3-2 in FIG. 8), a force acts on the rod 64. As shown in FIG. 6, the crank 82 of the arm unit 80 moves in conjunction with the force, and a force acts to rotate the front shaft 61 around its axis (see symbol B1 in FIG. 6).

When a force greater than a predetermined level is applied to the manual operation unit 20 (see symbol B2 in Figure 7), the engagement pin 66 of the lock control mechanism 60 moves from the recess 68 of the connecting unit 65 along the convex curved surface 71 to the recess 67 and fits into the recess 67. As a result, the front shaft 61 returns to its original position (unlocked position) (see Figures 3 and 4). Furthermore, the arm unit 80 also moves in conjunction with the axial rotation of the front shaft 61, causing the rod 64 to move downward, and the slide mechanism 22 to return to the unlocked position (see Figure 5).

In this way, the user can lock and unlock the casters 5A-5D using their feet and hands by performing the locking operation with the foot operating unit 50 and the unlocking operation with the manual operating unit 20. Conversely, the user can also perform the locking operation with the manual operating unit 20 and the unlocking operation with the foot operating unit 50.

That is, when a user places their finger in the recess 20R of the slide mechanism 22 of the manual operation unit 20 shown in Figure 5 and lifts the slide mechanism 22 upward, a force is applied that moves the rod 64 upward. In conjunction with this, the front shaft 61 rotates and is positioned at the locked position shown in Figures 6 and 7. The slide mechanism 22 also moves to the locked position shown in Figure 8.

When using the manual operation unit 20, the front shaft 61 must be rotated to the locked position using hand (fingers) force. Therefore, the length of the arm 80, the biasing force of the elastic member acting on the engagement pin 66, and the curved shape of the convex curved surface 71 are determined so that the engagement pin 66 can move over the recess 67 of the connecting part 65 and into the recess 68 using hand force.

On the other hand, when unlocking using the foot operation unit 50, the user lifts the foot operation unit 50 (rotates it around its axis), which moves and positions the front shaft 61 to the unlocked position shown in Figures 3 and 4. This causes the rod 64 to move downward in conjunction with this, and the slide mechanism 22 of the manual operation unit 20 also moves to the unlocked position.

Of course, it is possible to perform locking and unlocking operations using only the foot operation unit 50, and also to perform locking and unlocking operations using only the manual operation unit 20.

In this embodiment, the bedside table 100 is equipped with a caster locking mechanism 10, which connects the manual operation unit 20 and foot operation unit 50 to the front shaft 61 and the wheel locking mechanisms 40A-40D. By positioning the front shaft 61 using the lock control mechanisms 60 and 62, locking and unlocking operations can be performed selectively using the feet or hands, making it easy to move and set up the bedside table 100.

The connection 89 between the rod 64 and arm 80 is connected to the front shaft 61 so that it is higher in the locked position than in the unlocked position. This allows a large force to be applied when unlocking using the manual operation unit 20, making locking easier. Furthermore, the provision of a crank 82 that forms a bent portion when viewed from above makes it easier to apply a large force to the front shaft 61.

Figure 9 shows an example schematic configuration of wheel lock mechanism 40B in this embodiment. Wheel lock mechanisms 40A to 40D can also be configured in a similar manner.

The wheel lock mechanism 40B includes a push-down section 42 that connects to the front shaft 61, a pin 44 that can move up and down reciprocally when the push-down section 42 is pressed down, and an engagement section 46 that can move up and down reciprocally in conjunction with the movement of the pin 44. The pin 44 is biased upward by an elastic member (not shown). The pin 44, on which the pushing force from the push-down section 42 acts, is located on the opposite side of the front shaft 61 from the connection section 89 with the rod 64 of the arm section 80. This allows for a balanced force to be applied when locking the caster 5B and when moving the manual operation unit 20 to the locked position.

When the front shaft 61 rotates to the locked position, the pin 44 descends, lowering the engagement portion 46. The engagement portion 46 has teeth 47 that mesh with teeth 48 formed on the inside of the wheel 49, and the movement of the caster 5B is braked by the engagement of the teeth 47 and 48. When the front shaft 61 rotates to the unlocked position, the engagement portion 46 moves upward, allowing the caster 5B to swivel and rotate freely. Note that locking mechanisms other than those shown in Figure 9 may also be applied to casters 5A-5D.

Next, a second embodiment of the bedside table will be described using Figure 10. In the second embodiment, manual operation units are connected to both ends of the front shaft.

Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall caster locking mechanism of a bedside table in the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, in the caster locking mechanism 10', manual operation units 20'A and 20'B are connected to both ends of the front side shaft 61. The user can lock the wheels 5A to 5D by operating one of the manual operation units 20'A and 20'B. At this time, the other manual operation unit also switches to the locked state. When switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, operating one of the manual operation units 20'A and 20'B also switches the other manual operation unit to the unlocked state, unlocking the wheels 5A to 5D.

In this way, by providing a pair of manual operating units 20'A, 20'B along the vertical direction near both ends of the front side shaft 61, the user can easily manually lock or unlock the wheels 5A-5D depending on their location around the bedside table.

The configuration of the manual operation unit is not limited to the configuration shown in the first and second embodiments. For example, when switched to the locked state, part of the slide mechanism 22 may protrude from the top of the frame 21, allowing the user to visually recognize the locked state of the manual operation unit. In this case, the surface of the protruding portion may be colored a specific color (e.g., red).

In the first and second embodiments, the foot operation unit 50 and manual operation unit 20 are locked and unlocked in conjunction with each other based on the positioning control of the front side shaft 61, but a similar configuration may also be achieved by controlling the positioning of the casters, the foot operation unit, or the manual operation unit. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to structures (mounting targets) to which casters can be attached, such as beds and furniture other than bedside tables.

5A, 5B, 5C, 5D Wheels (casters)
10 Caster lock mechanism 20 Manual operation unit 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D Wheel lock mechanism 50 Foot operation unit 60, 62 Lock control mechanism 61 Front side shaft (connecting shaft)
64 Rod 80 Arm portion 82 Crank 100 Bedside table

Claims (9)

a manual operation unit that is manually operated when locking and unlocking opposing casters among the plurality of casters;
a foot operation unit attached to a connecting shaft that connects the opposing casters near both ends and that is operated by a foot when locking and unlocking the opposing casters;
a wheel locking mechanism that locks or unlocks the opposing caster in response to a locking or unlocking operation on the manual operation unit or the foot operation unit ;
a lock control mechanism capable of positioning the connecting shaft at a locked position and an unlocked position,
the manual operation unit is connected to an end of the connecting shaft,
the foot operation unit is connected to the connecting shaft between both ends of the connecting shaft,
A caster locking mechanism characterized in that the connecting shaft rotates around its axis in response to a locking or unlocking operation performed on one of the operating parts of the foot operating part and the manual operating part, and the other operating part of the foot operating part and the manual operating part moves from an unlocked position to a locked position, or from a locked position to an unlocked position, in conjunction with the axial rotation of the connecting shaft. a manual operation unit that is manually operated when locking and unlocking opposing casters among the plurality of casters;
a foot operation unit attached to a connecting shaft that connects the opposing casters near both ends and that is operated by a foot when locking and unlocking the opposing casters;
a wheel locking mechanism that locks or unlocks the opposing caster in response to a locking or unlocking operation on the manual operation unit or the foot operation unit,
By controlling the positioning of any one of the foot operation unit, the manual operation unit, the wheel lock mechanism, and the connecting shaft, an unlocking operation by the foot operation unit after a locking operation by the manual operation unit, an unlocking operation by the manual operation unit after a locking operation by the foot operation unit, a locking operation by the foot operation unit after an unlocking operation by the manual operation unit, and a locking operation by the manual operation unit after an unlocking operation by the foot operation unit are performed,
the manual operation unit is connected to a rod extending downward from the manual operation unit;
an arm portion connecting the rod end and the connecting shaft end,
A caster locking mechanism, characterized in that the connection portion of the arm portion with the rod in the locked state is located higher than the connection portion with the rod in the unlocked state. A caster locking mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that the connection portion of the arm portion with the rod is farther from the caster wheel in the shaft axial direction than the connection portion with the connecting shaft. A caster locking mechanism as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the connection portion of the arm with the rod is located on the opposite side of the connecting shaft from the wheel locking mechanism. 2. The caster locking mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the foot operating portion is connected to the connecting shaft via the lock control mechanism . a manual operation unit that is manually operated when locking and unlocking opposing casters among the plurality of casters;
a foot operation unit attached to a connecting shaft that connects the opposing casters near both ends and that is operated by a foot when locking and unlocking the opposing casters;
a wheel locking mechanism that locks or unlocks the opposing caster in response to a locking or unlocking operation on the manual operation unit or the foot operation unit,
By controlling the positioning of any one of the foot operation unit, the manual operation unit, the wheel lock mechanism, and the connecting shaft, an unlocking operation by the foot operation unit after a locking operation by the manual operation unit, an unlocking operation by the manual operation unit after a locking operation by the foot operation unit, a locking operation by the foot operation unit after an unlocking operation by the manual operation unit, and a locking operation by the manual operation unit after an unlocking operation by the foot operation unit are performed,
a lock control mechanism capable of positioning the connecting shaft at a locked position or an unlocked position;
A caster locking mechanism characterized in that the manual operation unit is connected to both ends of the connecting shaft. A bedside table equipped with a caster locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A bed equipped with a caster locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A mounting object comprising the locking mechanism for a caster according to any one of claims 1 to 6.